[state] repression of dissent

L'ancienne journaliste de la télévision et première femme députée Toujane el-Fayçal a été condamnée, le 16 mai, à un an et demi de prison par la Cour de sûreté de l'Etat.

Toujan al-Faisal, an outspoken advocate of free speech, domestic reforms, and women's rights, has been convicted of publishing "lies that hurt the state's integrity and honour," and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

Mehrangiz Kar, journalist and Iranian women's rights activist, who was jailed in April 2000 for her writings and speeches on women's rights, was allowed to leave Iran for medical treatment for breast cancer in fall 2001. After she arrived in the United States, her husband, journalist Siamak Pourzand, was disappeared. He was brought to the phone a number of times to call Mehrangiz and their daughters Leila and Azadeh to pass on the message that they must refrain from speaking on his behalf and must avoid contact with the media.

The arrests were made on 26th April whilst protesting against the proposed referendum.