IFJ Condemns Closure of Women’s Magazine in Iran

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PUBLISHED ON February 7, 2008 AT 12:47 PM

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the recent closure of Zanan, Iran’s leading women and pro-reform magazine, after authorities said it provided a “dark picture” of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“The Iranian regime must end its censorship of the media and intimidation of journalists and activists fighting for decent rights for women in the country,” says Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “The closure of Zanan, a leading magazine which has been defending women’s rights for 16 years, is a great loss for freedom of speech in Iran.”

Zanan’s editorial director, Shahla Sherkat, founded the magazine to compensate for the lack of media coverage of women rights in Iran. The magazine has demanded equal treatment for men and women since its creation.

The forced closure of the magazine follows a series of arrests of women journalists and activists who are working on a campaign for equality that aims to collect one million signatures demanding an end to discriminatory laws against women in Iran.

“All journalists must be able to work without any threats, irrespective of their gender,” White said. “We can only applaud the courage of our colleagues in Iran who are fighting so hard for introducing equal treatment for women in their law.”

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

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IFJ Condemns Closure of Women’s Magazine in Iran

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