Iran: Legal proceedings against journalist Kowsar Karimi for reporting on destruction of village

September 9, 2020, Khuzestan -- Journalist Kowsar Karimi from Mehr News Agency was arrested last week while covering the news of demolition of homes in the village of Abolfazl for a construction project for residential homes. Kowsar was the first journalist to report the devastating demolition when she was taken by the police to be interrogated over her news coverage. She was later released on bail but the legal proceedings against the journalist are standing and she is facing trial over charges of “propaganda against the state”. 

Abolfazl village homes many underprivileged citizens, however over the past years the land that is considered inadequate for farming, the real estate value of the village began to rise which prompted the Mostazafan Foundation which operates under direct supervision of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei to claim ownership over the land. 

On August 26, 2020, security forces attempted to raze the houses of the deprived people of this village. They clashed with the residents of the village, using pellet guns and tear gas. At least ten people including several children were wounded and dozens were arrested.

Kowsar Karimi who is a resident of the Khuzestan province which Abolfazl is a part of, was interrogated over accusations of spreading false propaganda against the state and the regime. 

Iran, which is coined as “the world’s biggest jailer for women journalists” strengthened its grip on journalists amid Covid-19. Many journalists who reported on the number of cases or who dared to criticize the way the government agencies handle the pandemic were fined, arrested or interrogated. 

The crackdown on journalists and media activists violates Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted on December 16, 1966, which emphasizes the right of individuals to express their views without cross-border restrictions.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the weaponization of law against journalists. We demand that all charges against Kowsar Karimi be dropped and the freedom of the press is respected.