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12/31/09
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Iran: ARTICLE 19 Launches Azad Tribune, an Online Platform to Encourage Free Expression
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On December 10, International Human Rights Day, ARTICLE 19 launched an
interactive website to encourage networking among bloggers, journalists and
activists in Iran.
 Azad
Tribune will host articles from writers based in and outside Iran. It will
also provide a platform for debate about freedom of expression and will provide
information and other resources that will support civil society campaigning
against censorship in that country.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is one
of the most repressive countries in the world, with tight restrictions on all
forms of mass communication, including the print and broadcast media, the
publishing sector, the internet, and mobile and fixed line telephone networks.
This stifling trend has worsened
since the mass citizen protests that escalated following the presidential
elections in June this year. Although the Government downplays the means it
employs to curtail dissent, with official figures of 2,500 people arrested and
up to 30 killed during this period, independent organisations believe the
numbers are far greater.
The Government views any expression
of dissent or nonconformist views as opposition to be met with tighter bans on
foreign press, restrictions on internet access and a clampdown on any attempt at
peaceful protest. On 7 December 2009, widespread protests marking National
Student Day signified a continued momentum of the post-election outrage.
However, in the week before, the number of arbitrary arrests and detentions
grew.
Journalists, activists
and bloggers face unfair trials, torture and lengthy prison sentences for
criminal offences such as mutiny and disruption of public order. Among those
imprisoned this month, two prominent journalists, Hengameh Shahidi and Saeed
Laylaz, were sentenced to six and nine years' imprisonment respectively. A
number of publications have been closed, with
Hayat-e No,
a Tehran-based daily newspaper, affiliated with Hadi Khamenei, a younger
brother of Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, among the most recent.
A new web crime task force has also
recently been established to reinforce internet censorship and fight cyber
crime. This unit has reportedly raided homes, confiscated computers, tracked and
blocked websites, and arrested bloggers who may be attempting to raise critical
views.
In this climate,
ARTICLE 19 extends its support to all sectors of Iranian society, particularly
the vibrant blogging community, with the aim of protecting space for freedom of
expression and combating censorship. Azad Tribune goes live today and can be
found at
www.azadtribune.org
in English and Farsi.
"The Iranian
government has been unable to hide its repressive activities, thanks to the
courageous men and women who have recorded, taped, written and reported on
violations via the internet and other channels,"
says Dr Agnes
Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director. "Azad Tribune
will contribute to this expanding and crucial movement by providing them with
tools against censorship. This will be an interactive platform for the people of
Iran living in and outside the country, and will reach out to bloggers,
activists, journalists and human rights defenders who want to protect and
promote free speech and open debate.
"Over
the next weeks and months, further resources and articles will be added to the
site and ARTICLE 19 welcomes online contributions from all Iranians concerned
about free speech and extends this invitation to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
to engage in open dialogue with those from all sides of the debate."
... Payvand News - 12/31/09 ... --
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