The arrest of journalists is at the highest level in the last 30 years
in 2022 Iran has become the journalistic prison of the world
The number of imprisoned journalists around the world is the highest in the last 30 years.
Published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on December 14 reportit is also called so.
According to CPJ’s annual prison census, a record number of 363 journalists were behind bars on December 1 this year.
The organization notes that this compared to 2021 20 means an increase in interest.
Journalists imprisoned in Azerbaijan
Abid Gafarov, the host of KIM TV internet television from Azerbaijan, and Polad Aslanov, the head of Khabarman and Press.az, were included in CPJ’s list.
Abid Gafarov was found guilty of slander and insult in July of this year and sentenced to 1 year in prison. However, he does not accept the accusations against him.
He says that Tartar was punished for his investigations into the events.
“Tartar work” covers accusations of Azerbaijani servicemen of “espionage” for Armenian special services. This case has been renewed and dozens of soldiers have been acquitted.
Polad Aslanova, who was accused of treason, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. His sentence was reduced to 13 years in February this year.
Polad Aslanov also does not accept the accusations, considers himself innocent and says that he was punished only for his journalistic activities and for publishing materials about the corrupt practices of DTX employees.
Azerbaijan Officials often say in their statements that no journalist has been punished for their activities. However, international institutions and organizations do not agree with the government. In the reports on Azerbaijan, it is noted that freedom of the media, like basic freedoms, is not fully ensured.
62 journalists are in prison in Iran
CJP’s report states that Iran according to the number of journalists in prison among the countries of the world 10is in -th place.
On December 1 in this country imprisonment the number of journalists was 62:
“Record number of female journalists to prevent the regime from reporting the truth about the demonstrations imprisonment did. So since the protests started imprisonment 22 out of 49 journalists are women.
China, Myanmar (Burma), Turkey and Belarus
According to the report, after Iran, China, Myanmar (Burma), Turkey and Belarus is coming. The autocratic leaders of these countries are constantly trying to silence the press.
According to CPJ president Jodie Ginsberg, the record number of journalists in prison is a crisis that reflects the erosion of democracy worldwide. news gives:
“This year’s prison census showed that governments are resorting to prosecutions and abuse of legal structures to punish the press. They legislate confusing statements that criminalize actual reporting. It is known that in 131 cases this year, no official charges were brought against the journalists who were arrested.”
“The criminalization of journalism affects society more than the individual in prison. For example, important news that helps protect the public’s safety, awareness and powers is suppressed and does not reach people,” he said.
“There are no charges in 131 cases, journalists are unjustly imprisoned”
The report also notes that governments resort to retaliatory prosecutions and abuse of legal structures to punish the press. For example, the news for this crime they prepare laws with vague expressions that consider:
“Disturbingly, no charges have been filed in 131 cases, leaving journalists behind bars,” the report said.
“Long legal processes and prison terms are a way to silence journalists. This creates distrust in the media and creates an environment where abuses of power can flourish,” Ginsberg said.
Arrest of Kurdish journalists in Turkey
CPJ notes that Iraq, Iran and the detention and treatment of Kurdish journalists in Turkey reveals the systematic persecution of this group.
Afghanistan also returned to CPJ’s ranking after a 12-year hiatus. 3 journalists are in prison in this country.
Since the Taliban group returned to power last year, there has been a serious decline in press freedom in the country.
It is reported that 43 journalists are in prison in China, 42 in Myanmar, and 21 in Vietnam.
The number of journalists imprisoned in the Americas is small – two journalists are imprisoned in Nicaragua, one in Cuba, and one in Guatemala. But in 2022 USAin which 12 journalists were detained and released until December 1 news is given.
CPJ Europe and emphasizes that press freedom is under attack in Central Asia.
The organization notes that there are 40 journalists in prison in Turkey and 26 in Belarus.
Georgia, a developing country with a mixed press freedom record and home to an increasing number of journalists exiled from elsewhere in the region, was included in the census for the first time. It is noted that a journalist is currently in prison in this country.
43 journalists were arrested in China. 42 in Myanmar, 21 in Vietnam. Media suppression has made these countries among the world’s worst criminals.
Europe and Central Asia
CPJ said that all Europe and press freedom continues to be under attack in Central Asia.
Turkey 20The journalist Hatice Duman, who was arrested in 2003, is the journalist who has been imprisoned for the longest time in this country.
As of 2021, 26 journalists are in prison in Belarus.
This number raised Belarus to the 5th place in the world. Russia It ranks eighth with 19 arrested journalists.
CPJ notes that while 2022 was particularly grim, their lawyers helped secure the early release of at least 130 imprisoned journalists around the world.