Freedom Of Expression in Iran 1

Freedom of Expression in Iran

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 Freedom Of Expression in Iran 2

Introduction

The elemental significance of freedom of information and freedom of expression as

human rights is continuously stressed by international bodies including the United Nations. It has

been observed that The Islamic Republic of Iran has habitually denied and contradicted the

charges made by human rights monitors of UN, and when denials became blatantly questionable,

the state defended its acts as genuine cultural practices. However, this cover is equally

unimpressive, as it does not show in the domestic cultural consensus. This paper is an attempt to

understand the violation of the basic human right of freedom of speech in Iran.

The Iranian government has a long history of systemic and extensive human rights

violations against its own people. (Bahar, 1993) The rights to freedom of expression have been

heavily suppressed by authorities who imprisoned scores of individuals voicing opposition.

During imprisonment torture in the form of amputations, floggings and other brutal punishments

is common. The trials have always been unfair as the judicial system in Iran is very weak.

(Katzman, 2017) Furthermore, terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah are supported

by the Iranian regime. (Scott & Dean, 2010)

Journalists reporting from Iran are monitored by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic

Guidance. The pro-reform websites and blogs are blocked and newspapers disapproving of the

government are closed down. Iran has set up a national network that may have a control on

Internet service for Iranians. (Scott & Dean, 2010)

Iran continues to be one of the nastiest places in the Middle East when it comes to rights

of women and even children, freedom of expression and speech and other basic human rights

declared in the Universal Human Rights Declaration.

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Conclusion

The west has always been critical of the human rights violation in Iran. Iran has always

maintained that whatever it does is pertinent according to the Shariah it follows as religion. It is

evident from evidence that both human rights declared by Islam and universal rights both attempt

to accomplish one common goal and that is to promote human dignity, regardless of differences

in languages and techniques. Iran has been using Islam to retain its control over the population.

The Islamic law is used or rather abused by the authoritative religious elite who interpret and

apply it as they like it. (Haji Hosseini, n.d.) The Islamic law has underlying principles of human

welfare and good governance akin to modem international human rights principles.

There is no difference of opinion when it comes to respect for justice, protection of

human life and prevalence of human dignity are central principles inherent in the Shariah.

(Somea, 2001) The modern Iranian society acknowledge the modem notion of human rights and

since Rouhani took office the government is becoming more understanding when it comes to

promoting freedom of expression and political tolerance. (Katzman, 2017)

The efforts of the Iranian government to keep controlling the public’s access to

information are eventually a lost battle in an ever-shrinking world, where there are no boundaries

for exchange of information. Satellite communication, radio broadcasts, videos and internet, over

and above the movement of people; make sure that the link of Iranian public with the outside

world is not cut off. Today the question is not if the public will have access but rather how the

exchange of information will take place. The Iranian government's exploitive policies regarding

freedom of speech has only deepened the distrust of its own people and of the outside world. It is

high time that some change occurs.

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References
Bahar, S. (1993). Guardians of thought. New York: Human Rights Watch.
H a j i h o s s e i n i, F. ALIENATION, RESISTANCE AND AGENCY IN
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS: THE CASE OF IRAN (M a s t e r o f L a w
s (LLM). Osgoode Hall Law School York University.
Katzman, K. (2017). Iran: Politics, Human Rights and U.S. Policy.
Scott, R., & Dean, A. (2010). Ahmadinejad’s Iran: A Threat to Peace, Human Rights
and International Law. Ottawa: Communication Canada — Publishing.
Somea, R. (2001). HUMAN RIGHTS IN SHARI*A AND IRAN’S CONSTITUTIONAL
AND LEGAL SYSTEM: THE CASE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION (Docteur
en droit (LL.D.). Universite de Montreal.