New York, August 8, 2000 -- Iran's Press Court shut down yet another major reformist newspaper on Tuesday, two days after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei quashed a parliamentary bill to amend the country's restrictive press laws, according to wire service reports.

"This latest move by Iran's Press Court is extremely disheartening to those who believe that press freedom is a universal right," said Ann Cooper, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). "We had hoped the debate would open the way for free expression."

The latest closing--of the popular daily Bahar, published by a close aide to reformist president Mohammad Khatami--intensifes the crackdown on the press that began in April. On Monday, a pro-reform weekly, Cheshmeh Ardebil, was suspended for four months, and a liberal opposition journalist was arrested, according to wire service reports.

CPJ sent a protest letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei yesterday, calling for him to "allow the open, uncensored media debate that is essential for democratic discourse." [Read CPJ's letter]

In March, CPJ named Khamenei to its list of the Ten Worst Enemies of the Press.

Iran: The Press on Trial. A CPJ Briefing by Joel Campagna

August 7: Khamenei quashes press-code reform bill

August 4: New parliament to debate press code reform

July 26: Judiciary suspends independent newspaper

July 17: Journalist sentenced

June 28: Clerical court bans another reformist newspaper

April 27: Three more pro-reform newspapers shut down

April 24: Judicial authorities ban 14 newspapers, jail two journalists

April 21: Supreme Leader lashes out at reform media; parliament stiffens press law

April 14: Leading editor jailed

March 14: Reformist publisher in coma after shooting