Iranian Cartoonist Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for ‘Insulting’ Government

ATENA FARGHADANI has just been sentenced for, in effect, drawing Iranian leaders as monkeys and cows. Given the absurd ruling, perhaps she should have drawn the rule of draconian law, and her legal proceedings, as a kangaroo court instead.

Farghadani, a 28-year-old Iranian artist and activist, rendered visual judgment last year, lampooning members of her nation’s parliament over their vote to restrict contraception and ban certain birth-control methods — just one of her works satirizing the government. Tehran’s Revolutionary Court has now announced that it is rendering its own brand of judgment.

Farghadani has been sentenced to 12 years and nine months in an Iranian prison, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights and the Northern Virginia-based Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI). According to some sources, the longest that she can legally be imprisoned is seven years and six months, and an appeal is said to be planned.

The artist’s crimes include “insulting members of parliament through paintings” and “spreading propaganda against the system,” according to Amnesty International.
[url=http://] www.washingtonpost.com...[/url ]

Klik here for much more including the pics that got her 12yrs in the slammer.
Just when you think your government sucs, along comes another gov that sucs even worst..12yrs for basically doing a tame version of Doonsbury or South Park smh, and people often ask where are the moderates in places like this..lets see how well you operate under a system going against popular thought or mind set backed by government edicts.

a reply to: Spider879

I am deeply impressed by the true bravery of individuals such as this woman.

She knows that she officially does not have the right to express herself and yet she shows more courage than many in the western world.

Yes, she didn't set herself on fire in the town square but, clearly, she didn't have to.

The way the US is headed, my guess is that within 30 years, the same rules will be in effect regarding making fun of government officials.

The US people are being systematically trained to be overly sensitive to
verbal insult
and people are being trained that to offend someone is
the worst thing one can do
and not go to jail for it.

The US is in the process of training the youth that
if one is offended
it is actionable
and social punishment is in order
if not actual punishment through job loss or business loss

Once the idea that to offend anyone is a crime
then it becomes an actual codified crime

Currently it is unacceptable in the US to even
be humorous if it maybe, might, possibly offend someone,
anyone.

As we know, thinking like this, as we see now being pushed
by the mainstream media:
that to offend others
is a social crime
the youth will assimilate this line of thinking
and make it an actual crime to offend others

At that point a cartoon about politicians
will become a crime.
It is coming due to the rampant and rabid
enforcers of politically correct speech and thought.

While today our current morality finds it
horrific that this woman is being jailed
for offending the politicians.
Beware, it is coming to any country
that is extremely politically correct also.
Political correctness makes offending
anyone a "crime"

The real crime is that the world today
including the US
has become so infantilized in its thinking
that people who are offended by words and cartoons are
not taught "sticks and stones"
or to grow a pair
or to thicken their skin
but taught to condemn and seek punishment
for the person who dared to offend someone
in any way shape or form.

a reply to: Spider879

Iran's govt is a joke. They rule by fear alone but sooner or later an uprising will occur. I have nothing but respect for this woman who continues to draw her cartoons while behind bars. May she be an inspiration to all Iranians.

a reply to: grandmakdw

As we know, thinking like this, as we see now being pushed
by the mainstream media:
that to offend others
is a social crime
the youth will assimilate this line of thinking
and make it an actual crime to offend others

I give the youth a bit more credit. They will continue to be snotty little brats no matter what anyone thinks.
They will give no respect to their elders and give the finger to anyone that criticizes them.

Nothing will change the arrogance of youth....

The young are permanently in a state resembling intoxication.
Aristotle

a reply to: grandmakdw

If that were true and not just right wing whining, a lot of the people on this site would be in jail. No, I'm afraid you are completely free to offend anyone you want.

a reply to: Spider879

What is wrong with the world. Why are the world's leaders such cowards?

Only cowards are afraid of opposition. Real men embrace opposition, because opposition brings revolution and change.

But cowards are afraid of change.

This is just more proof that the leaders of the world are both tyrants and cowards.

a reply to: olaru12

And this a gift from God, because the youth are never afraid of revolution. Amen

originally posted by: damwel
a reply to: grandmakdw

If that were true and not just right wing whining, a lot of the people on this site would be in jail. No, I'm afraid you are completely free to offend anyone you want.

are you going to whitewash other members and come here to make a political statement or are you going to actually address the OP?

there was nothing in the OP that had anything to do with politics here in the US, infact NO one up to your post mentioned anything about right or left wing....

New Manners and Decorum

Just sayin...


TO the OP its a sad state over there really, We have seen uprising after uprising there met with violence against her people....

I feel that the majority in Iran are like this woman, but they are too scared of their own gov to do anything, after all, every time they try they are murdered in the streets...

very sad....

People should rally behind this woman

Shes a hero in my eyes, hopefully this lady can open peoples eyes to the greed and coruption of leaders.

a reply to: grandmakdw

If you think the 1st amendment can be overturned that easily then you know little about how our government works.

Stories like the OP make me glad that we DO have the 1st Amendment.

a reply to: grandmakdw

Once the idea that to offend anyone is a crime then it becomes an actual codified crime

Is offending someone the same thing as persecuting them?

Bear with me Grams - I'm well aware that I've crossed a line. Sorta

It will depend on how you look at it I think, which side you're on. Freedom of speech. She didn't do anything wrong - perhaps because you agree with her. Maybe you don't - there are plenty of others that will defend her whether they agree with her or not

At what point does something cross the line do you think? Or - are no holds barred?

The real crime is that the world today
including the US
has become so infantilized in its thinking
that people who are offended by words and cartoons are
not taught "sticks and stones"
or to grow a pair
or to thicken their skin
but taught to condemn and seek punishment
for the person who dared to offend someone
in any way shape or form.

It's OK to make fun of Iranians - and Muslims. Can people make fun of Christians?

Well, of course they can. But, let's thnk about this for a moment. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Movements all begin somewhere. Sometimes religion can try to hush people up - even here in the United States. So, when you declare that in the future, people here will not be as free to say the kinds of things they should feel free to say, I have to wonder - what are you talking about?

What are you actually afraid of?

a reply to: Spiramirabilis

The fear is criticism even through humor, govt hates embarrassment when their corruption and incompetence is being exposed.

originally posted by: Spiramirabilis
a reply to: grandmakdw

Once the idea that to offend anyone is a crime then it becomes an actual codified crime

Is offending someone the same thing as persecuting them?

Bear with me Grams - I'm well aware that I've crossed a line. Sorta

It will depend on how you look at it I think, which side you're on. Freedom of speech. She didn't do anything wrong - perhaps because you agree with her. Maybe you don't - there are plenty of others that will defend her whether they agree with her or not

At what point does something cross the line do you think? Or - are no holds barred?

The real crime is that the world today
including the US
has become so infantilized in its thinking
that people who are offended by words and cartoons are
not taught "sticks and stones"
or to grow a pair
or to thicken their skin
but taught to condemn and seek punishment
for the person who dared to offend someone
in any way shape or form.

It's OK to make fun of Iranians - and Muslims. Can people make fun of Christians?

Well, of course they can. But, let's thnk about this for a moment. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Movements all begin somewhere. Sometimes religion can try to hush people up - even here in the United States. So, when you declare that in the future, people here will not be as free to say the kinds of things they should feel free to say, I have to wonder - what are you talking about?

What are you actually afraid of?

I'm not afraid.

Yes, people can and many do make fun of Christians,
even to the point of museums and art galleries
having tiny Christ figures in bottles of urine.
That is freedom of speech.

For people to think that speech
or thoughts
or beliefs
are punishable offenses
takes us into the realm of
totalitarianism
where the only acceptable thoughts, beliefs, speech are those
that are approved by those in power
and all other
beliefs
thoughts and speech
are punished
That is what Mao and Stalin and Hitler did under their regimes
and I find that very scary

When young people think that offending someone
is an actionable crime
our country is in real trouble.
It is way to easy to offend anyone,
just look at ATS as an example
all the time people get offended
at things that aren't even "said"
but the person thinks they were implied

I am not afraid of people making fun of Christians
they do, and so what? What's the problem, there is none
as long as they don't try to make Christian beliefs
illegal and Christian speech is totally banned because
someone might be offended if a Christian expresses
their belief.

Young people are being systematically trained
to be infantile in their sensibilities,
to lash out at any perceived offense,
even if the offense is just that someone
said something they disagreed with.

That is a great danger.
It leads to oppressive and eventually murderous regimes who
kill mass numbers of people for incorrect thought or
incorrect speech.
That is not just a concern of mine, but I recently
read an article by a progressive professor
who was seeing the exact same thing happening
in his university and it scared him too.
www.breitbart.com...

If you find the idea of living in a world where
no one is allowed to offend anyone,
even accidentally or in the very slightest way
utopia - then just take a hard look at how
many people you have accidentally offended
because they misunderstood your meaning,
then imagine being jailed or killed for the
unintended offense, just because of someones
over sensitive and infantile nature.

In my opinion it should not be illegal to make fun of anyone or anything
it should not be illegal to express dismay at anyone's beliefs:
liberals in the 1960's and 1970's fought hard for freedom of speech;
even to the point of defending hard core porn as freedom of speech.
Real classic liberals defend freedom of speech no matter who it offends.
They did just that in the 60's and 70's.

What people say or believe or think as long as no one is
physically harmed and no action taken to harm the person
or their property - is what classic liberals fought quite hard
and long for not that long ago.

It is interesting that current liberals are fighting to limit
speech, to limit beliefs and to limit "incorrect" thought,
after their forebearers fought so very hard for freedom of speech.

It is a symptom of coddled and spoiled child like people who
have not been allowed to grow up (to grow a pair, to thicken their skin)
but have had Mommy and Daddy and Daddy government protect
them from each and every possible hazard, both physical and to
their delicate psyches.
And so they are willing to trade freedom
to be wrapped in their cocoon of comfort
which ends up becoming a boa constrictor of life.

a reply to: grandmakdw

I am not afraid of people making fun of Christians
they do, and so what? What's the problem, there is none
as long as they don't try to make Christian beliefs
illegal and Christian speech is totally banned because
someone might be offended if a Christian expresses
their belief.

So we agree

It's good to know. Free speech is not the same thing as persecution. When people criticize Christians, it's the same as when Christians criticize any other religion or group

originally posted by: greencmp
a reply to: Spider879

I am deeply impressed by the true bravery of individuals such as this woman.

Anyone has a daring rescue plan for this woman??

originally posted by: johndeere2020

originally posted by: greencmp
a reply to: Spider879

I am deeply impressed by the true bravery of individuals such as this woman.

Anyone has a daring rescue plan for this woman??

Sit back in my recliner, eat potato chips, and think to myself about how I'm glad it's not me. I can't be bothered.

originally posted by: johndeere2020

originally posted by: greencmp
a reply to: Spider879

I am deeply impressed by the true bravery of individuals such as this woman.

Anyone has a daring rescue plan for this woman??

Unless it involves OIL!..nope!!.... ain't no body got time for her.

a reply to: Spider879

Good job its not against the law here to "insult" the government, otherwise all ATS members would be in jail forever. Lol

originally posted by: Spider879

originally posted by: johndeere2020

originally posted by: greencmp
a reply to: Spider879

I am deeply impressed by the true bravery of individuals such as this woman.

Anyone has a daring rescue plan for this woman??

Unless it involves OIL!..nope!!.... ain't no body got time for her.

It's IRAN, this is the excuse we've been looking for to invade.

That's why we invade right to "save" people....from tyranny and their nasty polluting oil....