10 July 2003
Alert
Canadian journalist in a coma after attack
(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is a CJFE media release:
CJFE Condemns Attack on Canadian Journalist in Iran
July 10, 2003 - Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) expressed outrage today at the injuries sustained by Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi while in the custody of Iranian police.
"We understand the Canadian government has sent a diplomatic note to the government of Iran," CJFE Executive Director Joel Ruimy said.
"We strongly encourage the Canadian government to pursue all avenues to establish just what happened to Kazemi and to obtain her release. And we call on Iranian authorities to grant the Canadians access to Kazemi and to ensure she gets all the medical care she requires."
The 54-year-old photojournalist, a native of Iran who is a Canadian citizen, was arrested late last month in Tehran by plainclothes security officers during the widespread student protests, reportedly after she took photos of a prison where many protesters were incarcerated.
Since her arrest, Kazemi has lapsed into a coma. Canadian diplomats have been allowed to see her in hospital only from a distance. They say she appears to be unconscious but it is not possible to determine more without a closer look. Kazemi's family in Canada says she lapsed into a coma after a vicious beating by police interrogators.
It is significant to note that Iranian security forces have arrested several journalists who tried to cover the protests by students and others. As well, one daily newspaper has been closed and at least one Iranian journalist has been slapped with a travel ban.
CJFE condemns Kazemi's treatment at the hands of police, along with the arrests of journalists Ensafali Hedayat, Mohsen Sazgara, Amin Bozorgian, Taghi Rahmani, Hoda Saber and Reza Alijani.
CJFE is gravely concerned that the Iranian government has opted to crack down on the news media to prevent coverage of the opposition protests. We demand that charges against the journalists be dropped and that they be released immediately.
CJFE is an association of 400 journalists, editors, producers, publishers and citizens working to promote free expression and media freedom in Canada and around the world.
Source:
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Updates to this story
Lives of several imprisoned journalists, bloggers in danger 10 July 2012 Seven years after Zahra Kazemi's death in detention, impunity continues 13 July 2010 Quebec court to hear Kazemi family case against Iranian government 8 December 2009 Five years after unexplained death of journalist, new inquiry lacks independence 15 July 2008 RSF voices concern over stalled justice in Zahra Kazemi case 20 January 2004 Parliamentary commission's report identifies Tehran chief prosecutor as directly involved in subjecting journalist Kazemi to violent interrogations, attempting to cover up cause of her death 5 November 2003 Court says only one person responsible in Kazemi case 26 September 2003 Authorities' vagueness and infighting obstruct Kazemi murder probe 27 August 2003 Agents accused in journalist's death 26 August 2003 EU foreign ministers urged to put pressure on Iran over murder of journalist Zahra Kazemi 15 August 2003 RSF says official inquiry into photojournalist's death unsatisfactory, another journalist arrested 22 July 2003 Government offers conflicting explanations of photojournalist's death, more journalists detained 17 July 2003 CJFE calls for independent investigation into journalist's death, despite government's admission that she died after being beaten 16 July 2003 CPJ calls for independent investigation into journalist's death in Iranian hospital 16 July 2003 Photojournalist dies in Tehran 14 July 2003 Journalist declared brain-dead following injuries sustained while in police custody 11 July 2003
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