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Iran

Despite its rich cultural and literary traditions, Iran is among the world’s most restrictive countries for freedom of expression. While human rights conditions have been dire for decades, the state of free expression and respect for fundamental rights has deteriorated even further in recent years. The Iranian regime has carried out an especially brutal crackdown on dissent in reaction to the protests that exploded in the country after the state killing of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, 22, three days after she was arrested by Iranian “morality” police in September 2022 for violating hijab rules, and the ensuing “Woman Life Freedom” movement.  

Photo by Middle East Images / AP Photo

What You Need to Know

Currently, Iran ranks second on PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index’s Top 10 jailers of writers. While many writers who were jailed as part of the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” movement were released, about 70% continue to face restrictive conditions.

In 2023, Iran remained the leading jailer of female writers globally, targeting many for their writing and advocacy against mandatory hijab and other laws that discriminate against women. 

Numerous writers who advocate for greater human rights and cultural rights for ethnic and religious minorities are targeted for their expression.

News

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Individual Cases

  • A smiling man with curly gray hair and glasses stands against a teal wall, wearing a green button-up shirt.

    Baktash Abtin

    Status:

    Poet and filmmaker Abtin, with two other board members of the Iranian Writers Association, was convicted in 2019 for opposing… More

  • Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a beard and mustache, wearing a collared shirt, looking thoughtfully to the side in soft lighting.

    Reza Khandan Mahabadi

    Status:

    Khandan Mahabadi, with two other members of the Iranian Writers’ Association, was arrested in May 2019 for opposing state censorship.… More

  • Black and white photo of a bearded person with long hair, holding something near their mouth, looking slightly upward, and smiling softly. The lighting highlights their face, creating a contemplative mood.

    Keyvan Bajan

    Status:

    Novelist and journalist Bajan was imprisoned on September 27, 2020, and sentenced to three-and-a-half years for his peaceful opposition of… More

  • A person with short dark hair and a neutral expression is wearing a black jacket and looking slightly past the camera against a plain light background.

    Nasrin Sotoudeh

    Status:

    A human rights lawyer and prominent voice of conscience, Sotoudeh had been previously released from prison in 2021 on a… More

  • A person with curly black hair and light skin, wearing a dark red velvet top, looks directly at the camera against a plain dark background—a portrait reminiscent of Narges Mohammadi’s striking presence.

    Narges Mohammadi

    Status:

    Narges Mohammadi, a human rights defender, author, journalist, and deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre… More

  • A man with glasses and a thick mustache stands by a window, looking outside thoughtfully. He wears a blue shirt and is illuminated by warm sunlight streaming in.

    Arash Ganji

    Status:

    Arash Ganji is a writer, translator and former secretary of the Iranian Writers’ Association (IWA). He was detained for 29… More

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PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award 2023 Honoree Narges Mohammadi

Targeted by the Iranian government for more than 30 years for her writings and human rights activism, Narges Mohammadi is currently jailed on false charges of “spreading anti-state propaganda” and defamation. Mohammadi was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 6, 2023.

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Advocacy

PEN America joins with allies in international bodies, with partner organizations, and with individuals to advocate for freedom of expression in Iran.

Experts