Pen America’s 2023 Freedom to Write Index paints a chilling picture of Iran’s relentless crackdown on writers and the creative community.
While the world witnessed the protests in late 2022, the Iranian regime’s response has been a continued suppression of dissent, particularly targeting writers and activists, especially women.
Iran holds the dubious distinction of jailing the highest number of female writers globally, with 15 currently behind bars.
This targeted persecution stems from their opposition to the mandatory hijab and advocacy for women’s rights. The report highlights the case of poet and activist Sepideh Rashnu, sentenced to nearly four years for her stance against the hijab.
Human rights defender and writer Nasrin Sotoudeh also faced brief detention for attending a funeral.
The crackdown extends beyond those directly arrested. Many writers released after the protests remain subject to conditional freedom, including bans on social media, technology use, or even employment. This creates a chilling atmosphere of self-censorship, silencing critical voices and hindering creative expression.
New arrests continue unabated, with individuals like singer-songwriter Mehdi Yarrahi, rapper Vafa Ahmadpour, and writer Peyman Farhangian facing imprisonment. Lengthy sentences handed down to figures like writer and translator Keyvan Mohtadi further illustrate the regime’s harsh treatment of dissenters.
Even long-standing political prisoners like Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi continue to face persecution. Despite being incarcerated, she defiantly writes and speaks out against human rights violations and advocates for political change.
This systematic suppression of free expression extends beyond individual cases. The Iranian regime actively seeks to control online narratives, as evidenced by the high number of writers prosecuted for their online activities. This strategy aims to silence influential voices and curb dissent on social media platforms.
The report clearly reveals that China and Iran are the most hostile environments for writers globally. Together, they account for nearly half of all jailed writers in 2023, with Iran alone holding 49 individuals captive. This grim statistic reflects the regime’s deep-seated fear of independent thought and its relentless efforts to stifle any form of dissent, particularly among women and creative communities.
Takeaway Key Points:
- Iran remains a leading jailer of writers globally, particularly targeting women who advocate for their rights and oppose the mandatory hijab.
- The crackdown extends beyond imprisonment, with conditional releases creating a climate of fear and self-censorship.
- New arrests and lengthy sentences further suppress dissent and creative expression.
- Online expression faces harsh scrutiny, aiming to control the narrative and silence critical voices.
- Iran’s actions highlight the urgent need for international pressure and action to protect freedom of expression and the safety of writers and activists in the country.
