The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today added its voice to international protests over Iran at the United Nations in Geneva with renewed demands for jailed journalists to be set free.

Iranian human rights organisations and activists were joined by international labour groups in a demonstration outside the United Nations offices in Geneva in order to highlight the widespread and persistent violations of human rights in Iran.

“Freedom for journalists, trade unionists and human rights activists is a first step towards putting Iran back on the road to democracy,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “The banning of the independent Association of Journalists and the detention of at least 47 journalists show just how out of touch the regime in Tehran has become.”

The IFJ is supporting calls by the International Trade Union Confederation and other Global Union Federations who were among participants in today’s protest in their calls for action over Iran’s state-sponsored violence, torture, rape, execution and other forms of human rights violations in Iran.

The protestors are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and for the government to respect freedom of association and free expression, including media freedom.

The IFJ is closely monitoring the situation for journalists in the country and has verified information from its affiliate the Association of Iranian Journalists of 47 cases of journalists arrested and held following the holding of controversial elections last year.

For more information contact the IFJ at   +32 2 235 2200

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide