Art Under the Shadow of Repression: From Prison to the Forced Silence of Iranian Artists
In recent years, art in Iran has transformed from a medium of creation into a platform for expressing pain, protest, mourning, and demanding freedom. As a result, many artists—including actors, directors, musicians, photographers, and writers—have faced arrest, imprisonment, security pressures, professional restrictions, and financial losses.
Imprisoned Artists
According to reports by human rights organizations, during the nationwide protests in Iran, a significant number of artists were arrested; many of these arrests coincided with internet shutdowns and raids by security forces on their homes. The theater community was among the first groups to face this wave of arrests, with several actors, directors, and writers being detained or prosecuted. Among them, the case of Hossein Mohammadi, a theater actor, raised widespread concerns regarding fair trial procedures due to heavy charges, lack of access to a lawyer of his choice, and the presence of a court-appointed lawyer.
Prison: Continued Pressure After Arrest
Reports show that pressure on artists is not limited to detention. Taraneh Alidoosti spent time in solitary confinement in ward 209 of Evin Prison after her arrest, raising concerns about her physical and mental condition and her access to necessary medications. Mehdi Hosseini (Keyvan), a writer and theater director, was transferred to Fashafoyeh Prison after being held in security wards 209 and 241 of Evin. Furthermore, Sepideh Qolian exposed the existing detention conditions and pressures by publishing reports on the status of the women’s ward at Bushehr Central Prison, which resulted in a new legal case being opened against her.
Musicians Who Lost Their Livelihood
Pressure on the artistic community was not solely security-focused; many artists also faced a livelihood crisis. Iranian musician Tara Fazaili announced that repeated internet shutdowns severely reduced her income from online music streaming platforms and suspended her professional activities for a period. Additionally, Hamidreza Afrideh, a traditional music musician, reported the total destruction of his music academy during an airstrike—an academy where 250 students were being taught by 22 instructors. Beyond financial damage, he described this event as a serious blow to music education and the activity opportunities of dozens of young artists.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Article 6: Right to work
Article 7: Right to just and favorable conditions of work
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Article 19: Freedom of expression
Article 22: Right to social security
Article 29 – Right to participate in the cultural life of the community
UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Article 7 – Measures to promote cultural expressions
Article 8 – Measures to protect cultural expressions
Article 11 – Civil society participation
Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran
Defense of Defense of Art and Artist Committee
Translated by Alireza Jahan Bin
