DATE=10/15/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=IRAN -- FREE PRESS
NUMBER=5-44532
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: According to a new report from a New York-based
human rights group, press freedom is a major victim in
the political struggle between reformists and
conservatives in Iran. Correspondent Barbara Schoetzau
has the story.
TEXT: The report - issued by the international
monitoring group, Human Rights Watch - says that since
Iran's reformist President Mohammad Khatami took
office in 1997 press freedom has expanded and public
discussion on a wide range of issues has opened up.
But at the same time, the group says the independent
press has come under greater fire from conservative
courts that oppose the President's reforms.
Human Rights Watch researcher Elahe Hicks is the
author of the report, called "As Fragile as a Crystal
Glass." Ms. Hicks, an Iranian, says the report was
prompted by the court-ordered closings of newspapers
that champion reform, beginning in June 1998 with
Jameh'e. Last month, the courts closed the newspaper
Neshat and sentenced its publisher to a 30-month
suspended prison term.
According to Iran's constitution, Ms. Hicks says,
offenses related to the press should come under the
jurisdiction of Iran's press court. This in itself is
problematic, Ms.Hicks says, because the current head
of the press court is - in her view -- a partisan
appointed by the conservative clergy. But she says
the situation is further complicated by the
intervention of other courts.
//// HICKS ACT ////
Before President Khatami took office, we had
newspapers closed down by an administrative
order by the Ministry of Culture. Unfortunately
since then, newspapers (are) closed down by the
press court, by the administrative order, by the
special court for clergy and by the
revolutionary court.
//// END ACT ////
The press crackdown triggered clashes between students
and supporters of the conservative clergy in July.
Still, Iran's parliament is currently debating an
amendment to the 1985 press law which would place
further restrictions on the press.
//// HICKS ACT ////
They are about to discuss the details of the
amendment. It is putting more restrictions on
the current press law. And they are adding to
the supervisory board within the Ministry of
Culture and Islamic Guidance, bringing more
conservatives to this board and perhaps give
more authority to close down newspapers by
administrative order.
/// END ACT ///
However, Ms. Hicks says she is encouraged by the
decision in August by Iran's Supreme leader Ali
Khomenei to appoint a reform-minded person as the new
head of the judiciary.
////HICKS ACT ////
Ayatollah (Hashemi) Shahrudi has this reputation
of a pure scholar who stays away from politics.
The reputation of Ayatollah Yazdi, his
predecessor, was very much involved with
politics. The new head of the judiciary came,
talking about how the judiciary needed reform.
Everyone hopes that through changing the judges
and changing perhaps the law we will see a new
performance by the judiciary.
//// END ACT ////
The Human Rights Watch report calls on the government
of Iran to ensure that writers, journalists, and
publishers are not prosecuted for expressing their
opinions. Elahe Hicks says the report also asks the
international community to play a greater role.
//// HICKS ACT ////
You know, the European governments - they have
this constructive dialogue with Iran. We want in
this dialogue that they encourage the government
of Iran to adopt legislation and regulation with
regard to freedom of expression and so on.
//// END ACT ////
The Human Rights Watch report recommends the
government amend Iran's constitution to allow greater
freedom of expression, replace the current Press Law
of 1985 and oppose the restrictive amendment
Parliament is considering.
No one was available at Iran's Mission in New York to
comment on the report. (Signed)
NEB/NYC/bjs/LSF/PT
15-Oct-1999 18:17 PM EDT (15-Oct-1999 2217 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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