Iran: IFJ backs Association of Iranian Journalists’ calls for its office in Tehran to reopen

The Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ) has called upon the recently elected president, and newly formed government, to reopen its office in the capital Tehran, 15 years after it was closed on the orders of Tehran's prosecutor. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) backs the call of its affiliate- the only independent and nationwide organisation of journalists in Iran - unfortunately, still suspended. The AoIJ also expressed its concern over disproportionate prison sentences given to journalists for simply doing their job and denounced increased pressure on media workers in the country.

Photo of the front door of the Association of Iranian Journalists' office in Tehran. Credit: AoIJ/IFJ

On the occasion of Journalist's Day, celebrated on 7 August, the AoIJ called onIran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, elected on 28 July, and the new government to reopen the office of the association, which is the only independent and nationwide organisation of journalists in Iran.

The office of the IFJ-affiliate, AoIJ, was sealed off in the aftermath of Iran's controversial presidential election in 2009, which sparked numerous protestsand led to the arrests of more than 200 journalists and media workers. Following the protests, the association prepared to hold an open meeting with its members and journalists to discuss the latest developments on Iran's Journalist's Day. Before it could happen, the office was closed and never reopened again, despite repeated demands by the AoIJ, supported by the IFJ.

The AoIJ's office was shut down following an order of the Tehran's prosecutor, Saeed Mortazvi, who closed and banned hundreds of media, and sent to jail numerous journalists during his term.

In its statement, the AoIJ expressed its concern over the heavy and disproportionate judicial sentences handed to journalists for simply carrying out their professional duties.

"[...] Every year, instead of Journalist's Day being a day of honouring the people of the pen and the development of freedom of expression and the press, it is a reminder of the memory of journalists' house being sealed off and also a day of concern for the conditions and status of journalists, who are punished by heavy and disproportionate judicial sentences only for performing their professional duties [...]"

"The AoIJ expresses its concern about the ever-increasing and unusual pressures on journalists both from government agencies and media managers and officials, expects from the new government, under its slogan of "change" and "transparency" to select the relevant ministers with caution, and in the first step, appoint a committee responsible for following up on the status and release of imprisoned and detained journalists, as well as the reopening of the AoIJ, and make the results officially transparent available to the media and public opinion."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The IFJ fully endorses the request of our affiliate, the AoIJ, and calls on the Iranian government to allow the reopening of the association at a time that is crucial for journalists as well as citizens in Iran. The Iranian authorities should drop all charges against unjustly imprisoned journalists and media workers, who remain behind bars for simply doing their job".