September 13, 2004

His Excellency, Dr. Seyed Mohammad Ali Mousavi, Ambassador
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
245 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2K2 Canada

Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is alarmed at the Iranian government's attempts to suppress the right to inform the public via the Internet. Not only have several news websites been closed or blocked but also journalists associated with these sites have been arrested.

Babak Ghafori Azar of the financial daily Hayat-e now, Shahram Rafihzadeh, head of the cultural section of the newspaper Etemad, and Hanif Mazroi, a former journalist with several reformist publications, were imprisoned on September 7 and 8. It is presumed that these arrests were in connection with the shutdown of Rouydad (www.rouydad.info).

This incident comes at time when Iranian judicial authorities have cracked down on a number of news sites, especially those with reformist leanings.

We call on the Iranian government to respect the right to free expression and to cease obstructing the running of independent websites. We urge the Iranian authorities to release all the journalists and internet provider staff involved.

I look forward to receiving your prompt reply.

Yours truly,

Arnold Amber
President

Case file number: PL-O422