At the Society of Editors 25th Anniversary Conference in London, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak honored Narges Mohammadi and Pouria Zeraati for their dedication to press freedom ahead of World Press Freedom Day. The Prime Minister paid tribute to those who are imprisoned for advocating for freedom and democracy, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who are suffering behind bars for their beliefs.
Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence in Iran and faces harsh punishment, including 154 lashes, two years of exile, and other restrictions. Despite her imprisonment, Mohammadi continues to speak out against human rights abuses and the oppressive mandatory hijab law in Iran. Sunak also addressed the recent attack on journalist Pouria Zeraati, who was stabbed outside his London home last month, following threats from Iranian intelligence aimed at journalists at Iran International.
The Prime Minister highlighted the crucial role of the media in upholding democracy by holding governments accountable, exposing corruption, and amplifying marginalized voices. The conference brought together editors, academics, lawyers, and journalists to discuss the challenges facing the journalism industry today. Sunak’s comments shed light on the deteriorating press freedom in Iran, with over 70 journalists arrested since the 2022 uprising, including those who reported on the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, sparking widespread protests in Iran.
