Since the unrest that followed Iran’s disputed presidential elections in June 2009, Iran has passed the People´s Republic of China as the world’s leading jailer of journalists. Goudarzi is one of them.

Charged with “heresy”
Locked up since December 2009 in the infamous Evin Prison, he has been charged with “heresy” a capital crime, “propagating” against the regime and “congregation and mutiny with intent to disrupt national security.”

In July 2010 began a hunger strike in Evin Prison in which several political prisoners, including at least five journalists, protested their inhumane treatment. Goudarzi was one of the protesters.

Radio Zamaneh said the strikers are demanding respect for prisoners’ rights, improved health care, and their own return to the general prison population.

Several prisoners – including journalists Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, a contributor to reformist newspapers, and Kayvan Samimi, manager of the now-defunct monthly Nameh – began the hunger strike on July 26 after being transferred to solitary confinement, according to the reformist news website Kalema. Both journalists were arrested in June 2009 following the disputed presidential elections.

Additional prisoners – including journalists Ali Malihi, Kouhyar Goudarzi, Mohammad Hossein Sohrabi Rad – joined the strike a day later and were themselves transferred to solitary confinement.

Background
Goudarzi is an independent blogger who is active in the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, a group that seeks to promote human rights in Iran. Goudarzi was reportedly put into solitary confinement in May 2010.

Goudarzi’s mother told Hammihan News on 25 February 2010, that she was allowed to visit for only a few minutes after waiting for hours. Goudarzi told his mother that he is resisting pressure to confess to charges of heresy. His mother has said that since than she is no longer allowed to visit him.

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) reported that Goudarzi was under pressure to reveal passwords to his personal e-mail and to the committee’s Web site. The committee reported on April 28 that Goudarzi and several other members of the committee were taken to an Evin Prison court to be informed of their charges.

Despite the release of several political prisoners in the days leading up to the Iranian New Year (21 March 2010), not only was Goudarzi not released, pressure on him seems to have increased. Goudarzi’s mother said that prison authorities refused to accept clothes and books for him even though most other prisoners are allowed to have these items.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recent in-depth survey, conducted on 1 June 2010, at least 37 journalists were behind bars in Iran. About half were being held at Evin Prison.

The National Press Club awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the National Press Club in November.

HRH London based on the National Press Club press release, Committee to Protect Journalists and International Campaign for Human rights in Iran information (see here and here).

Related links:

Iran: one year after elections – importance of internet and small media