WASHINGTON, Dec. 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Emily
Wilkins, president of the National Press Club issued the
following statement on the wrongful detention of Italian journalist
Cecilia Sala in Iran.
"The National Press Club demands the immediate release of
Cecilia Sala a fearless journalist unjustly imprisoned in
Tehran. Sala, who has been held in
Tehran's Evin prison since
Dec. 19, was on an approved reporting
trip and adhered to all regulations required for journalists
working in the country. Her detention is an affront to press
freedom and a violation of international norms. Journalism is not a
crime.
It is appalling that Sala has been subjected to solitary
confinement, a cruel and punitive measure condemned by the United
Nations Mandala Rules, which prohibit such treatment for more than
15 consecutive days days. Sala has already endured eight days in
isolation, an experience that leaves lasting psychological
harm.
Celia Sala's imprisonment is a chilling reminder of the
risks journalists face in pursuit of the truth. The Iranian
government must act now to release her and ensure her safety.
We call on global leaders to stand with us in
demanding Sala's immediate release. Together we must send a
powerful message: the international community will not tolerate the
silencing of journalists."
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading
professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members
representing nearly every major journalism organization, the Club
is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide. In
2024, the Club organized and helped support The Press Freedom
Center at the National Press Club, to advocate on behalf of
journalists who face unlawful detention, assault or other forms of
oppression.
Contact: Bill McCarren of the
Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club
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SOURCE National Press Club
