Archive for the ‘Iranian’ tag
On Hoder’s Disappearance and Possible Detention
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Statement by Iranian bloggers on Hossein Derakhshan
We, the undersigned, view the circumstances surrounding the Iranian authorities’ arrest of Hossein Derakhshan aka Hoder, one of the most prominent Iranian bloggers, as extremely worrying. Derakhshan’s disappearance, detention at an unknown location, lack of access to his family and attorneys, and the authorities’ failure to provide clear information about his potential charges is a source of concern for us.
The Iranian blogging community is one of the largest and most vibrant in the world. From ordinary citizens to the President, a diverse and large number of Iranians are engaged in blogging. These bloggers encompass a wide spectrum of views and perspectives, and they play a vital role in open discussions of social, cultural and political affairs.
Unfortunately, in recent years, numerous websites and blogs have been routinely blocked by the authorities, and some bloggers have been harassed or detained. Derakhshan’s detention is but the latest episode in this ongoing saga and is being viewed as an attempt to silence and intimidate the blogging community as a whole.
Derakhshan’s own position regarding a number of prisoners of conscience in Iran has been a source of contention among the blogging community and has caused many to distance themselves from him. This, however, doesn’t change the fact that the freedom of expression is sacred for all not just the ones with whom we agree.
We therefore categorically condemn the circumstances surrounding Derakhshan’s arrest and detention and demand his immediate release.
Signed, in alphabetical order:
Generation Tehran
Highly recommended and a must-watch short documentary (about 24 minutes.) Please share your comments.
Tehmineh Milani - Iran’s Fearless Film Maker
Watch a brief piece on her latest movie on YouTube. A must see.
Journeyman Pictures: Her films have divided Iran, led to her arrest and seen her charged with four crimes that carry the death penalty. But Iranian filmmaker Tehmineh Milani refuses to be silenced.
“She focuses on women’s rights and shows things the way they are”, states a fan. Milani’s latest film, ‘Payback’, is her most contentious to date. It’s about four women who meet in prison and form a vigilante gang, posing as prostitutes and handing out their own brand of justice to men. “I wrote the story but the characters are based on real people”, Milani states. Although Milani is Iran’s most commercially successful director, filmmaking for her is about much more than making money. As she explains: “I think I have an ability to make a positive cultural change”.