In a recent speech, Ebrahim Raisi stated, “This country defends freedom of speech and freedom of thought. We loudly proclaim that in the Islamic Republic system, the freedom of the pen and freedom of expression are guaranteed.”
As we approach the 1 year anniversary since Zhina (Mahsa) Amini’s death in the hands of Iran’s morality policy on September 16th, the Islamic Republic has made little to no change to demonstrate this statement as even partially true. Journalists who covered Zhina’s death, like Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi remain behind bars. Not to mention, hundreds of others have been arrested or re-arrested for voicing their thoughts on social media. If a charge such as “disturbing public opinion” locks up activists like Sepideh Gholian behind bars, it is clear that freedom of speech and thought comes with its own set of restrictions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Our cartoon is “Recently the president of Iran had an speech” by American-Iranian cartoonist Nasrin Sheykhi. Source: CartoonMovement.
