In a statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the human rights organization Hana condemned the systematic suppression of the media, journalists, writers, media activists and citizen journalists in Iran.
Hana declared that press freedom is “the people’s right to know” and that in the Islamic Republic, “news is being criminalized and the truth is being put before the security and judicial apparatus.”
The human rights organization emphasized that the prolonged internet shutdown and restrictions are an organized effort to separate society from the truth, prevent the documentation of human rights violations, silence the voices of victims and cut people off from the world.
Hana called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been arrested, convicted, threatened or silenced for speaking out, reporting or defending society’s right to know.
