US – led group condemns Iran for violent repression, journalists’ arrest, internet shutdown

The United States, the United Kingdom and 19 other countries have raised concerns about the brutal repression of freedom of expression in Iran.

The member states of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) issued a joint statement on Thursday.

They strongly condemned the ongoing crackdown by the Iranian authorities on protesters and society in general.

The MFC advised Iran to respect its commitments under international law and to cooperate with all United Nations bodies and mandate holders.

The nations cited the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran and the fact-finding mission appointed by the UN Human Rights Council President.

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The coalition urged the government to release all arbitrarily detained individuals, including journalists.

It said many journalists have been detained and their homes raided to prevent them from exposing abuses.

The MFC wants the media to be able to function without fear of persecution, discrimination and violence.

“The targeted arrests of journalists in Iran are a direct affront to freedom of expression and media freedom.”

The statement also deplored the accusation that independent media are “manipulated by foreign forces.”

It endorsed the Freedom Online Coalition’s statement which condemned the restriction of access to the internet and mobile networks.

“Journalists and media workers should be able to report unimpeded by government interference,” the MFC noted.

Other signatories are Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Iceland, Ireland and Japan.

The rest include Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) announced that at least 448 people, including 60 children and 29 women, have been killed by security forces.

It said the numbers only include cases it verified through documents such as death certificates/medical staff testimony and independent sources.

IHRNGO accused the Islamic Republic of “trying to cover up its crimes through disinformation and lies.”

Noting that the UN fact-finding mission is critical, the body said the mechanism “should be based on citizen testimonies and [does] not require state cooperation.”