US State Department: Forced confessions, rape, torture, and intimidation of family members [ID 8608]

"Prison conditions are harsh. Some prisoners are held in solitary confinement or denied adequate food or medical care in order to force confessions. Female prisoners reportedly have been raped or otherwise tortured while in detention. Prison guards reportedly intimidate family members of detainees and torture detainees in the presence of family members. In his 2000 report, the UNSR reported receiving numerous reports of prisoner overcrowding and unrest, and cited a reported figure of only 8.2 square feet (2.5 square meters) of space available for each prisoner. In his August report, the UNSR noted that the head of the National Prisons Organization (NPO) had told him that the prison population had risen 40 percent over the past year. The UNSR reported that much of the prisoner abuse was occurring in unofficial detention centers run by the secret service and military, among others. The UNSR further reported that according to the head of the NPO, the unofficial detention centers officially were brought under the control of the NPO during the year. In his latest report, the UNSR was unable to determine whether the change actually had taken place, and whether it had impacted the number of cases of prisoner abuse. HRW has reported that Prison 59 in Tehran, which is located in a Revolutionary Guard compound, is the only remaining prison that has not been brought under the jurisdiction of the NPO. Access to Prison 59 had been denied, including to Members of Parliament and the President's staff. During the year, the Iranian Human Rights Working Group reported that conditions for political prisoners have deteriorated. The group further noted that prisoner Reza Raiss-Toussi appeared physically ill and disoriented at his court hearing in March. He stated that prison officials keep him blindfolded at all times he is out of his cell."

31.07.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Human rights activist Saman Rasoulpour held in incommunicado detention ("Incommunicado detention of Mr. Saman Rasoulpour [IRN 008 / 0708 / OBS 130]") [ID 25095]

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Torture and ill-treatment are common in Iranian prisons and detention centres ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23486]

"Torture and other ill-treatment were common in many prisons and detention centres, facilitated by prolonged pre-charge detention and denial of access to lawyers and family. At least two people died in custody, possibly as a result of torture. Torturers were rarely if ever held to account for their crimes."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

4 students and editors-in-chief of student publications were arrested at Amir Kabir Polytechnic in May 2007 and tortured while being in detention ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23487]

"In May, four students and editors-in-chief of student publications arrested in May at Amir Kabir Polytechnic were tortured, according to their families. The abuse allegedly included 24-hour interrogation sessions, sleep deprivation, beatings with cables and fists, and threats to prisoners and their families. The detainees were arrested in connection with articles deemed by university officials to “insult Islamic sanctities”. In July, the families of the detained students sent an open letter to Ayatollah Shahroudi, Head of the Judiciary, describing the alleged torture."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Zahra Bani Yaghoub died in detention; authorities said she had hanged herself but her family said she was in good spirits; head of the detention centre was later detained, released on bail and finally remained in office ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23488]

"Zahra Bani Yaghoub, a medical graduate, died in custody in Hamadan in October. She was arrested for walking in a park with her fiancé and died in detention the next day. The authorities said she had hanged herself.

Her family said that she was in good spirits when they spoke to her on the phone half an hour before she was found dead. A report in November indicated that the head of the detention centre had been detained, but was then released on bail and remained in office."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

A retrial was ordered in the case of the 2003 death in custody of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian photojournalist ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23489]

"In November, a retrial was ordered in the case of the 2003 death in custody of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian photojournalist. She was tortured to death, but the only person prosecuted was acquitted in 2004, a decision upheld in 2005. She had been arrested for taking photographs outside Evin Prison."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Cases of torture reported during 2007 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22863]

"On January 11, former political prisoner Kianush Sanjari alleged that he was subjected to "white torture," a form of sensory deprivation, while detained at Evin Prison in late 2006. According to a 2004 HRW report, political prisoners in the country used the term to describe prolonged incommunicado solitary confinement.

On June 6, intelligence agents directly supervised by the prison head reportedly attacked and beat political prisoners held in Orumieh prison in the northwest of the country.

On July 24, the families of three student activists arrested in May and June sent an open letter to Judiciary Chief Shahrudi alleging that security forces tortured their sons in section 209 of Evin Prison. According to HRW, the families alleged that security forces subjected the students to beatings with cables and fists, 24-hour interrogation sessions, sleep deprivation, and forced them to remain standing for long periods of time. The families also alleged that the students were detained in cells with convicted criminals and received threats against themselves and their families. Although Judiciary Chief Shahrudi reportedly ordered an investigation into the allegations, the results remained unknown at year's end. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Torture and ill-treatment in Iran in 2007 ("World Report 2008") [ID 22514]

"Under Ahmadinejad the treatment of detainees has worsened in Tehran’s Evin prison as well as in detention centers operated clandestinely by the Judiciary, the Ministry of Information, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The authorities subject those imprisoned for peaceful expression of political views to torture and illtreatment, including beatings, sleep deprivation, and prolonged solitary confinement.

Judges often accept coerced confessions. In July 2007 former student detainees and the families of three imprisoned student journalists, Majid Tavakoli, Ahmad Ghasaban, and Ehsan Mansouri, made public allegations that Ministry of Information agents had physically and psychologically tortured the three detained students and five others whom the government had held in relation to student publications.

Authorities broadcast statements obtained from detainees who were denied access to lawyers. In July the government aired the “confessions” of Haleh Esfandiari and Kian Tajbakhsh, two Iranian-American scholars detained since May on vague charges of “endangering national security.” The government released Esfandiari and Tajbakhsh on bail in late August and September, respectively."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

In 2007 the treatment of detainees has worsened in Tehran’s Evin prison as well as in detention centers ("World Report 2008") [ID 23556]

"Under Ahmadinejad the treatment of detainees has worsened in Tehran’s Evin prison as well as in detention centers operated clandestinely by the Judiciary, the Ministry of Information, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The authorities subject those imprisoned for peaceful expression of political views to torture and illtreatment, including beatings, sleep deprivation, and prolonged solitary confinement. Judges often accept coerced confessions.

In July 2007 former student detainees and the families of three imprisoned student journalists, Majid Tavakoli, Ahmad Ghasaban, and Ehsan Mansouri, made public allegations that Ministry of Information agents had physically and psychologically tortured the three detained students and five others whom the government had held in relation to student publications.

Authorities broadcast statements obtained from detainees who were denied access to lawyers. In July the government aired the “confessions” of Haleh Esfandiari and Kian Tajbakhsh, two Iranian-American scholars detained since May on vague charges of “endangering national security.” The government released Esfandiari and Tajbakhsh on bail in late August and September, respectively."

Document(s): Open document

24.10.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist subjected to mental and physical mistreatment since arrest 10 days ago ("Journalist subjected to mental and physical mistreatment since arrest 10 days ago") [ID 21820]

Document(s): Open document

21.06.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Kuwaiti diplomat returns from Iran beaten and bruised ("Kuwaiti diplomat returns from Iran beaten and bruised") [ID 21460]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In 2005 appeals court ordered the case of Zahra Kazemi's death to be reopened; she died in custody in 2003 as a result of a blow to the head after allegedly being tortured ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19341]

"In November 2005 an appeals court ordered the case involving the death of Zahra Kazemi, a dual-national Iranian-Canadian citizen, to be reopened; however, at year's end there was no progress and the case remained under review. Kazemi, a photojournalist, was arrested for taking pictures while outside Evin Prison in Tehran during student-led protests. She died in custody in 2003 after allegedly being tortured. Authorities admitted that she died as a result of a blow to the head. In June the Kazemi family filed a civil case against the Iranian government in Canadian courts."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Constitutional prohibition of torture does not reflect reality ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19379]

"The constitution prohibits torture for the purposes of extracting a confession or acquiring information. In 2004 the judiciary announced a ban on torture, and the Majles passed related legislation, approved by the Guardian Council. Nevertheless, there were numerous credible reports that security forces and prison personnel tortured detainees and prisoners."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Teheran general prosecuter Saeed Mortazavi reportedly involved in the 2003 killing of Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19380]

"In June the government sent Saeed Mortazavi, the Tehran general prosecutor, to represent the country at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council. Mortazavi was accused by human rights groups of grave human rights abuses, including murder and torture, and was reportedly involved in the 2003 killing of Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi (see section 1.a.)."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Documented evidence of "white torture," a form of sensory deprivation: The case of political prisoner Amir Abbas Fakhravar ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19384]

"In 2004 AI reported that it had documented evidence of "white torture," a form of sensory deprivation. Amir Abbas Fakhravar, a political prisoner, was sent to the "125" detention center, controlled by the revolutionary guards. According to AI his cell had no windows, and the walls and his clothes were white. His meals consisted of white rice on white plates. To use the toilet, he had to put a white piece of paper under the door. He was forbidden to speak, and the guards reportedly wore shoes that muffled sound. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture listed sensory deprivation among the techniques constituting torture."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Public discussion on abusive human rights practises in prisons and at the police ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19385]

"In July 2005 according to domestic press, Abbas Ali Alizadeh, the head of the Tehran judiciary and head of the supervisory and inspection committee to safeguard civil rights, provided Tehran Judiciary Chief Mahmud Ali Hashemi-Shahrudi with a detailed report as a follow-up to Shahrudi's directive on respect for citizens' rights. This unreleased report was described in detail in the media and outlined abusive human rights practices in prisons, including blindfolding and beating suspects, and leaving detainees in a state of uncertainty.

Also in July 2005, according to domestic press, the deputy national police commander for criminal investigation said police would investigate any reports of torture. He said torture was not only against regulations, but that forensic and scientific advances have made torture unnecessary. Nevertheless, its existence in the criminal investigation departments was undeniable."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Cruel and prolonged torture of political opponents in official and "secret" prisons ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19416]

"Some prison facilities, including Tehran's Evin Prison, were notorious for cruel and prolonged torture of political opponents of the government. Additionally, in recent years authorities have severely abused and tortured prisoners in a series of "unofficial" secret prisons and detention centers outside the national prison system.

Common methods included prolonged solitary confinement with sensory deprivation, beatings, long confinement in contorted positions, kicking detainees with military boots, hanging detainees by the arms and legs, threats of execution if individuals refused to confess, burning with cigarettes, sleep deprivation, and severe and repeated beatings with cables or other instruments on the back and on the soles of the feet. Prisoners also reported beatings about the ears, inducing partial or complete deafness; punching the area around the eyes, leading to partial or complete blindness; and the use of poison to induce illness.

Human rights activists and domestic press reported cases of political prisoners confined in the same prison wing as violent felons. There are allegations that the authorities deliberately incarcerated nonviolent offenders with violent offenders anticipating that they would be killed. HRW noted that student activists were physically tortured more than dissident critics from within the system. It also noted physical abuse in the presence of high-level judges."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Report of a judiciary committee notes torture, mistreatment and solitary confinement in detention centers ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19419]

"In 2005 the Tehran province judiciary tasked its branches to address and compile complaints about civil rights violations and reportedly received 143 complaints, including one concerning a person jailed since 1989 without a conviction or indication of criminal record. In the unreleased report described by domestic press in July 2005, the judiciary's committee, called the Supervising and Inspection Committee for Preserving Citizens' Rights, reported visiting detention centers of the police security, criminal, and intelligence departments, and army security and intelligence departments to assess the condition of detainees, sanitation, visiting procedures, and procedures used to summon and arrest suspects. [...]

The report noted torture and solitary confinement in detention centers and claimed it had taken steps to resolve the issue. The report stated that confessions obtained under duress were legally invalid."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In May 2005 Judiciary Chief Shahrudi complains about security forces' mistreatment of detainees ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19420]

"In May 2005 Judiciary Chief Shahrudi reportedlycomplained about security forces' treatment of some detainees. He said judges must conduct interrogations, and confessions obtained without a judge present were inadmissible. During the year there were no further official remarks enforcing Shahrudi's statement."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Documented cases of persons held without charge in "Prison 59" and "Amaken" ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19425]

"In 2004 HRW documented a number of unofficial prisons and detention centers such as "Prison 59" and "Amaken," an interrogation center where persons are held without charge, questioned intensively for prolonged periods, physically abused, and tortured."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

While attending a demonstration, human rights activist Khoini was arrested, then taken to Evin Prison and held without charge; he was reportedly tortured in custody and released on bail four months after his arrest ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20029]

"On June 12, authorities arrested former Majles deputy and human rights activist Ali Akbar Musavi Khoini, who was reportedly taken to Evin Prison and held without charge. Khoini, who had been attending a women's rights protest when he was detained, was a critic of the government during his 2000-04 term of office, protesting the government's human rights abuses, prison conditions, and the lack of fair trials.

Authorities permitted Khoini to attend a memorial service for his father on September 21, where he told the crowd that he was being tortured and pressured to "repent" for his criticisms of the government. Observers at the service told HRW that Khoini had visible bruises. On October 15, he was released on bail."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Student activist Ahmad Batebi, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, was beaten in custody and consequently suffers from health problems ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20031]

"On July 27, authorities re-arrested student activist Ahmad Batebi, who had been released from prison for medical treatment in 2005. On October 15, they released him again after he posted an approximately $325,000 (300-million toman) bail, but he was returned to custody by October 17, according to his father. Officials gave no justification for Batebi's re-arrests. According to his wife, at the time of his re-arrest, Batebi warned that he would go on a hunger strike, a tactic often used by political prisoners as a protest.

Batebi was involved in the 1999 Tehran student protest, and his photo was published in several international news outlets, illustrating the protests. Subsequently, Batebi was sentenced to death in 1999, a sentence that was commuted to 15 years in prison. Batebi reportedly was severely beaten and harshly interrogated while in prison and consequentlysuffered from health problems. At year's end Batebi was in Evin Prison."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Internet writer Mojtaba Saminejad, who spent more than 2 years in custody for insulting the supreme leader, was tortured in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20032]

"On September 16, Internet writer Mojtaba Saminejad was reportedly released from prison. Saminejad was arrested in February 2005 and sentenced to more than two years in prison on charges that included insulting the supreme leader.

He was first detained in 2004 after reporting the arrest of other Internet writers and, according to HRW, tortured and held for 88 days in solitary confinement. In January 2005 he was released on $62,500 (50 million toman) bail. Saminejad started another Internet site but was detained again, and his bail tripled, which he could not pay. His trial in May 2005 was held behind closed doors."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Ill-treatment and torture of detainees has worsened in 2006 ("World Report 2007") [ID 18994]

"Since President Ahmadinejad came to power, treatment of detainees has worsened in Evin prison as well as in detention centers operated clandestinely by the Judiciary, the Ministry of Information, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The authorities have subjected those imprisoned for peaceful expression of political views to torture and ill-treatment, including beatings, sleep depravation, and mock executions. Judges often accept coerced confessions.

The authorities use prolonged solitary confinement, often in small basement cells, to coerce confessions (which are videotaped) and gain information regarding associates."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Torture, cruel and inhuman punishments in prisons and detentions centres ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18893]

"Torture continued to be routine in many prisons and detention centres. At least five people died in custody. In several cases, torture or ill-treatment may have been a factor. Denial of medical treatment to put pressure on political prisoners emerged as an increasingly common practice.

In July a report by the judiciary detailed human rights violations, including torture, of prisoners and detainees. It stated that measures had been taken to address the problems, but gave no details.

In September, Arezoo Siabi Shahrivar, a photographer, was arrested along with up to 14 other women, at a ceremony commemorating the 1988 “prison massacre” in Evin prison, Tehran, in which thousands of political prisoners were executed. In detention she was suspended from the ceiling, beaten with a wire cable and sexually abused.

A man from Shiraz sentenced to 100 lashes in 2004 for homosexual activities alleged that he had been tortured and threatened with death by security forces."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Iranian-Canadian photographer killed in custody ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18357]

"In 2003 an Iranian-Canadian photographer, Zahra Kazemi, died in custody after being arrested for taking photographs at Evin prison in Tehran. After initially claiming that she died following a stroke, the government admitted that she died as a result of a blow to the head."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Common methods in prison facilities ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18467]

"In June a court sentenced a man to have his eyes surgically removed for a crime he committed 12 years earlier, when he was 16. The Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) of the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs quoted human rights specialists as saying that while such unusual sentences were occasionally passed by Islamic courts, they were rarely implemented; rather they were used as leverage to set blood money.

Nonetheless, in November domestic press reported prison authorities amputated the left foot of a convicted armed robber. Some prison facilities, including Tehran's Evin prison, were notorious for the cruel and prolonged torture of political opponents of the government. Additionally, in recent years authorities have severely abused and tortured prisoners in a series of "unofficial" secret prisons and detention centers outside the national prison system.

Common methods included prolonged solitary confinement with sensory deprivation, beatings, long confinement in contorted positions, kicking detainees with military boots, hanging detainees by the arms and legs, threats of execution if individuals refused to confess, burning with cigarettes, sleep deprivation, and severe and repeated beatings with cables or other instruments on the back and on the soles of the feet. Prisoners also reported beatings about the ears, inducing partial or complete deafness, and punching in the eyes, leading to partial or complete blindness. HRW noted that student activists were physically tortured more than critics within the system. It also noted abuse sometimes occurred in the presence of high-level judges.

As reported by a radio broadcast on May 5, Judiciary Head Shahrudi complained about security forces' treatment of some detainees. He said judges must conduct interrogations and confessions without a judge present were inadmissible.

In February 2004 Amnesty International (AI) reported that it had documented evidence of "white torture," a form of sensory deprivation. Amir Abbas Fakhravar (see section 1.e.), a political prisoner, was sent to the "125" detention center, controlled by the revolutionary guards. According to AI his cell had no windows, and the walls and his clothes were white. His meals consisted of white rice on white plates. To use the toilet, he had to put a white piece of paper under the door. He was forbidden to speak, and the guards reportedly wore shoes that muffled sound. The Committee against Torture has found that sensory deprivation amounts to torture.

According to domestic press, in July Abbas Ali Alizadeh, the head of the Tehran judiciary and head of the supervisory and inspection committee to safeguard civil rights, provided Judiciary Chief Shahrudi with a detailed report, as a follow-up to Shahrudi's directive on respect for citizenship rights. This unreleased report was described in detail in the media and outlined abusive human rights practices in prisons, including blindfolding and beating suspects, detainees left in a state of uncertainty, and prolonged investigations. For example, authorities jailed a 13-year-old in the worst detention center for stealing a chicken, jailed a woman in her 80s for financial difficulties, and arrested a woman for drug charges against her husband."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Unofficial prisons and detention centres ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18471]

"In June 2004 HRW documented a number of unofficial prisons and detention centers such as "Prison 59" and "Amaken," an interrogation center where persons are held without charge, questioned intensively for prolonged periods, physically abused, and tortured."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

According to HRW, Akbar Ganji, a political activist and journalist, was tortured by judiciary officials ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18494]

"Akbar Ganji, a former IRGC leader turned political activist and journalist, has been imprisoned since 2000 in connection with his reports linking the government with the "serial murders" of 80 dissidents in the country and abroad. He was sentenced in 2001 to six years in prison on charges including acting against national security and spreading propaganda. […]

Ganji's wife said in an open letter in late October that she believed her husband was being beaten, had been moved to solitary confinement, and was not receiving medical care. In November HRW reported Ganji said judiciary officials tortured him to try to make him renounce his writings."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist Siamak Pourzand tortured to make a confession ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18593]

"Police arrested journalist Siamak Pourzand in 2001 and tried him in March 2002 behind closed doors. He was denied free access to a lawyer of his choice and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for "undermining state security through his links with monarchists and counterrevolutionaries." He was kept in solitary confinement for months and physically and psychologically tortured to force him to make a televised confession. He was reportedly urged to implicate others, refused, was released but then returned a month later to Evin prison. In March 2004 Pourzand suffered a heart attack that left him in a coma. After repeated hospitalizations and reimprisonment, Pourzand was furloughed again in 2004 but kept under house arrest, not allowed to leave the country, and could be returned to prison at any time. His wife, Mehrangiz Kar, a human rights defender residing outside the country who face charges in connection with her participation in a 2000 conference in Berlin, was formerly a political prisoner."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Arjang Davoudi, arrested for assisting a Canadian reporter making a documentary on Zahra Kazemi, writes book from prison about torture and solitary confinement ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18605]

"Arjang Davoudi, a teacher, engineer, and poet, was arrested in 2003 for assisting a Canadian reporter making a documentary about Canadian-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi. During the year he was condemned by a revolutionary court to either 14 or 15 years in jail (varied by source), exile to a harsh climate, 5 years' suspension of his civil rights, and 70 lashes; reportedly he was beaten and kept in solitary confinement for approximately 100 days. Davoudi wrote a book from prison about interrogations, torture, and extended solitary confinement and had his manuscript privately delivered to a publishing company. According to one report, the information ministry attacked the publishing house, intercepted the manuscript, severely injured the employees, and arrested and imprisoned the publisher."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Female journalist addressing women's issues arrested and beaten ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18711]

"In October 2004 Fereshteh Ghazi, a journalist addressing women's issues for the daily newspaper Etemad, was arrested on a variety of charges. According to press accounts, at least part of the time she was held in an undisclosed location and beaten for refusing to confess. Upon release in December 2004, she was immediately hospitalized."

Document(s): Open document

27.09.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Teheran: Farmer sentenced to death in October 2004, apparently convicted of smuggling firearms and opium, is alleged to have confessed under torture; Supreme Court is believed to have upheld sentence this month ("Iran - UA 256/05") [#37095],  [ID 8584]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

14.09.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Political prisoner granted temporary medical leave from prison in order to receive hospital treatment; he suffered serious health problems in prison, some reportedly caused by torture and ill-treatment, and conditions in which he was held ("Iran - Further Information on UA 181/03") [#36641],  [ID 8585]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Security forces ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8586]

"[...]Iranian security forces subjected hundreds of citizens to arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention in 2004. Suspected dissidents are often held in unofficial, illegal detention centers, and allegations of torture are commonplace. Although legislation banning the use of torture in interrogations was approved by parliament and the Council of Guardians in May, allegations of torture persisted throughout the year. In August, according to local human rights groups, a prisoner who had been left hanging by his wrists had to have his hands amputated.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

27.07.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Political prisoner, who had been on hunger strike since 6 July in protest at authorities' refusal to grant him leave from prison to receive medical treatment, reportedly fell into coma; his life is in grave danger ("Iran - Further Information on UA 181/03") [#34532],  [ID 8587]

Document(s): Open document

25.07.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Government report acknowledges widespread violations of prisoners' rights (torture, detention without trial, undeclared detention centres) ("Iran: Government Report Acknowledges Torture In Prisons") [#34472],  [ID 8588]

Document(s): Open document

22.07.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Mahabad: 15 men, all members of Kurdish minority, reportedly detained without charge and are at risk of torture or ill-treatment; they were arrested after protests about killing of Sayed Kamal Astam ("Iran - UA 194/05") [#34423],  [ID 8589]

Document(s): Open document

25.05.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments ("Annual Report 2005") [#32306],  [ID 8590]

"[...]At least 159 people were executed in 2004, including at least one minor. Scores of others, including at least 10 people who were under 18 at the time the crime was committed were sentenced to death. It was not known how many of these sentences had been upheld by the Supreme Court. The true figures were believed to be considerably higher. The death penalty continued to be handed down for charges such as “enmity against God” or “morality crimes” that did not reflect internationally recognizable criminal charges.
On 15 August, Atefeh Rajabi, reportedly aged 16, was hanged. She was sentenced after a grossly unfair trial during which she was publicly insulted and doubts regarding her mental state appeared to be ignored.
At least 36 people were sentenced to flogging, although the true figure was thought to be significantly higher.
Mohsen Mofidi died in February in Tehran following the imposition of a flogging sentence. No investigation was carried out by the authorities to establish whether he died as a result of the flogging.
In November and December Leyla Mafi, who was reported to be a child offender with mental disabilities, and Hajieh Esmailvand were sentenced to death, the latter reportedly by stoning. They were convicted of prostitution and other acts of immorality (a’mal khalaf-e ‘ofat). Following domestic and international protests both women were granted a stay of execution. Afsaneh Norouzi, who was sentenced to death in 2003, had her case transferred to a conciliation council.
Torture continued to be routine in many prisons.
In July, the head of a prison in Dezful, southern Iran, was dismissed in connection with an incident in which his staff tied an inmate to a ceiling fan, severing circulation to his hands, which then had to be amputated. [...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

Government has intensified its campaign of torture ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31980],  [ID 8591]

"[...]5.34 According to Reuters, in March 2002 the reformist parliament approved the outline of a bill banning the use of torture to gain information from detainees. Before becoming law, the Bill would go through a second reading and be approved by the Guardian Council. [5aa] On the 9 June 2002 the Guardian Council rejected and returned the Bill for more "clarification". [8g] The Bill was stuck in the legislative process due to the inability of all parties to agree on a suitable definition of torture. [21av] According to a HRW press release on 7 June 2004, "The Iranian government has intensified its campaign of torture, arbitrary arrests, and detentions against political critics, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Iran’s outgoing reformist parliament in May passed legislation to prohibit torture, but without effective implementation, the law remains an empty gesture". [8j](pg1) 5.35 According to a FIDH report of July 2004, " In April 2004, the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, issued instructions for the judiciary, the police and the security forces asking them to respect the law :“During arrests or questioning, blindfolding, restraining, pestering and insulting of detainees must be avoided. ... Agents carrying out interrogation should not hide their faces, nor stand behind the accused backs, nor take them to secret locations ... All forms of torture aiming to obtain confessions is banned, and confessions obtained in this way have no legal or religious value ...”.The directive added that arrests must be the exception, carried out within a legal timeframe and “where possible, families must be informed”. In May 2004, the Council of Guardians approved a bill banning torture. The legislation strengthens rights enshrined in Iranian law and the Constitution, by giving the force of law to the abovementioned directives. It should be noted, however, that the bill does not cover corporal punishments, although they are covered by the UN Convention against torture. In addition, there is no indication on how this new legislation will be respected in practice". [56c](pg11)
5.36 On 16 March 2003 some 107 MPs called for Iran's accession to the Convention against Torture. [21av] On 12 August 2003 the Guardian Council rejected the motion on joining the convention on banning torture arguing that it contradicted the constitution and would increase public expenditure. [21bm] After an amended version was resubmitted the Guardian Council again referred it back to Parliament on 9 September 2003 requesting that yet more changes be made. [21bn] In December 2003 it was reported by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs that Iran had agreed to sign up to the Convention Against Torture. [69a] According to a report in the Guardian newspaper on 29 April 2004, on 28 April 2004 the head of the Iranian judiciary issued an order banning the use of torture and other abuses: an unprecedented acknowledgement of the regime's record of repression. [16e] [...]
The report continued, "Continuing serious abuses included: summary executions; disappearances; torture and other degrading treatment, reportedly including severe punishments such as beheading and flogging; poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention; lack of habeas corpus or access to counsel and prolonged and incommunicado detention. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Iran commits torture ("Civil and political rights [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/310]") [#30293],  [ID 8592]

"[...]Iran has increased its suppression of political opposition with an intense campaign of torture and arbitrary arrests. A recent report by Human Rights Watch documents systematic abuses of political detainees in Tehran’s Evin Prison and in secret jails around the capital since the government launched its current crackdown in 2000. The maltreatment includes arbitrary arrest, detention without trial, torture to extract confessions, prolonged solitary confinement, and physical and psychological abuse. According to Human Rights Watch, “The Iranian government’s use of these harsh techniques has largely squelched the country's political opposition and independent media.”
As of June 2004, the Iranian government had closed virtually all independent newspapers, several key journalists and writers had fled the country, many prominent writers and activists had been imprisoned, and scores of student activists were intimidated into abandoning peaceful political activity. Individuals interviewed for the report, including a number of writers and journalists, described brutal interrogations in which they were blindfolded, physically threatened, and forced to recant their political views. Former detainees also described basement solitary cells where they were left for weeks at a time without any human contact, and threats by judges that if they did not confess, they would be held in solitary confinement indefinitely. The report documents cases of beatings, long confinement in contorted positions, kicking detainees with military boots, hanging them by the arms and legs, and threats of execution if individuals refused to confess.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Written statement by the International Federation for Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) on freedom of expression, torture, women rights, discrimination against minorities and the death penalty ("Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/158]") [#30291],  [ID 8593]

"[...]In April 2004, the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, issued instructions for the judiciary, the police and the security forces asking them to respect the law and specifying that “All forms of torture aiming to obtain confessions is banned, and confessions obtained in this way have no legal or religious value”. In May 2004, the Council of Guardians approved a bill banning torture. The legislation gives the force of law to the above mentioned directives. However, the bill does not cover corporal punishments.
In addition, in practice, no improvements were noted in that field and the UN convention against torture has still not been ratified.
Impunity for the perpetrators of acts of torture was blatantly exemplified by the Zahra Kazemi case : the judgement made public in July 2004 acquitted intelligence agent Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi. The trial did not meet the fair trial guarantees and three UN Special Rapporteurs (on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, on the independence of judges and lawyers and on torture) expressed their concerns in a joint statement: "The independent experts fear that by failing to ensure an open trial and the independent functioning of the judiciary - which should take into account all findings that could shed light on this case - the authorities are favouring a climate of impunity for law enforcement officials and setting the ground for the recurrence of similar human rights violations in the future".[...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8594]

"[...]The Constitution forbids the use of torture, as does the Law on Respect of Lawful Liberties and Protection of Citizenship Rights adopted in May; however, there were numerous credible reports that security forces and prison personnel continued to torture detainees and prisoners. Some prison facilities, including Tehran's Evin prison, were notorious for the cruel and prolonged acts of torture inflicted upon political opponents of the Government. Additionally, in recent years, government officials have inflicted severe prisoner abuse and torture in a series of "unofficial" secret prisons and detention centers outside the national prison system. Common methods included prolonged solitary confinement with sensory deprivation, beatings, long confinement in contorted positions, kicking detainees with military boots, hanging detainees by the arms and legs, threats of execution if individuals refused to confess, burning with cigarettes, sleep deprivation, and severe and repeated beatings with cables or other instruments on the back and on the soles of the feet. Prisoners also reported beatings about the ears, inducing partial or complete deafness, and punching in the eyes, leading to partial or complete blindness.

On February 28, Judiciary Head Ayatollah Shahroudi issued a directive protecting the rights of the accused and, among other points, instructing police, judicial officials, and security agents to refrain from physical abuse when interrogating suspects. On May 2, the Majlis passed a law based on this 15-point directive in the form of the Bill on Legitimate Liberties and Civil Rights, which the Council of Guardians approved shortly thereafter. However, there is much anecdotal evidence that this law was ignored routinely in practice.

In August, credible international and local NGOs reported the case of a prisoner in the province of Khuzistan who had to have his hands amputated because prison officials had left him hanging by the wrists and then forgot about him.

In August 2003, the Council of Guardians rejected a bill on accession to the U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Majlis amended the bill in late December 2003, reportedly addressing Council of Guardians concerns over the monetary costs of joining the convention, but the council still rejected the revised bill. The Council of Guardians also rejected in mid-2002 a bill passed by the Majlis to end torture and forced confessions. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Torture of journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8595]

"[...]On December 14, four of these "weblog" detainees were presented at a televised "press conference" arranged by Judge Mortazavi and denied that they had been subjected to solitary confinement, torture, or ill-treatment during their earlier detention. However, widespread and credible reports indicated that threats and coercions were used to induce their statements and, while in secret detention, threats, torture, and physical abuse were employed to obtain false confessions and letters of repentance from many of those detained. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Torture and Ill-treatment in Detention ("World report 2005") [#28233],  [ID 8596]

"[...]With the closure of independent newspapers and journals, treatment of detainees has worsened in Evin prison as well as in detention centers operated clandestinely by the judiciary and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Torture and ill-treatment in detention has been used particularly against those imprisoned for peaceful expression of their political views. In violation of international law and Iran’s constitution, judges often accept coerced confessions. The use of prolonged solitary confinement, often in small basement cells, has been designed to break the will of those detained in order to coerce confessions and provide information regarding associates. This systematic use of solitary confinement rises to the level of cruel and inhuman treatment. Combined with denial of access to counsel and videotaped confessions, prolonged solitary confinement creates an environment in which prisoners have nowhere to turn in order to seek redress for their treatment in detention. Severe physical torture is also used, especially against student activists and others who do not enjoy the high public profile of older dissident intellectuals and writers. The judiciary chief, Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi, issued an internal directive in April 2004 banning torture and inhumane treatment of detainees, but as of yet no enforcement mechanisms have been established.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

06.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Journalists received death threats from judicial officials after testifying to a presidential commission about their torture and mistreatment during detention; there are concerns for their safety ("Journalists Receive Death Threats After Testifying") [#28091],  [ID 8597]

Document(s): Open document

04.12.2004 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Secret squads operating under the authority of the Iranian judiciary have used torture to force detained Internet journalists and civil society activists to write self-incriminatory “confession letters” ("Iran: Torture Used to Obtain ‘Confessions’") [#27567],  [ID 8598]

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

2 journalists released from prison; they were reportedly tortured and are in poor physical and mental health ("Online journalists Omid Memarian and Shahram Rafihzadeh freed") [#27442],  [ID 8599]

Document(s): Open document

10.11.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Around 25 internet journalists and civil society activists arbitrarily arrested in recent weeks, some of them also ill treated ("Civil society activists and human rights defenders under attack") [#26913],  [ID 8600]

Document(s): Open document

20.08.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Man who was detained without charge since his arrest 10 months ago, allegedly was tortured; he is reportedly suffering from health problems for which the necessary treatment was denied ("Iran - Further Information on UA 87/04") [#24939],  [ID 8601]

Document(s): Open document

07.07.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Akbar Mohammadi reportedly subjected to 'mock executions' and other forms of torture in Evin prison ("Five Years of injustice and ill treatment: Akbar Mohammadi – case sheet") [#23840],  [ID 8602]

"During his first year of imprisonment Akbar Mohammadi was reportedly subjected to 'mock executions'. He was repeatedly taken from his cell in solitary confinement to places where he was told he would be killed. Officials would go through the motions of preparing to execute him, including reading the Koran to him on one or more occasions, and then would 'change' their minds and return him to his cell. In the subsequent years, Akbar and Manuchehr Mohammadi have been permitted a small number of temporary leaves, or, releases from prison, the recent of which was for 12 days in May 2004.

Akbar Mohammadi is also alleged to have been subjected to other forms of ill treatment. In March 2000, Akbar Mohammadi wrote a letter to the head of the judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi, which was widely published in a number of Iranian newspapers, stating that while in detention he had been "violently beaten". He was allegedly handcuffed, suspended by his arms, and whipped on the soles of his feet with electric cables. Prison guards reportedly beat him until he was on the point of losing consciousness, saying that all he had to do was blink to accept the charges against him. His beatings allegedly resulted in the loss of 40% of his hearing in his left ear."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

09.06.2004 - Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights

Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi died after subjected to torture after 3 days of interrogation in Evin prison; persons responsible for her death remain unpunished ("EU-Iran Dialogue on Human Rights: One step forward, two steps back (ACHRF/24/04)") [#23237],  [ID 8603]

"Impunity is one of the important factors exacerbating human rights violations. Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor, Judge Said Mortazavi who had interrogated Canadian journalist, Ms Zahra Kazemi and allegedly subjected her to torture is all set to go unpunished. Ms Zahra Kazemi was detained on 23 June 2003 for taking pictures of Tehran's notorious Evin prison. She died in hospital in Tehran on 10 July after falling into a coma having received head injuries during more than three days of interrogation in judicial and intelligence’s custody. On 28 October 2003, the Article 90 Commission of the Majlis in its partially censured report concluded that Prosecutor Mortazavi and other members of the judiciary were directly involved in Ms. Kazemi's death, having subjected her to violent interrogations in Evin prison. The Commission also accused them of attempting to cover up the cause of her death. Not surprisingly, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression (E/CN.4/2004/62/Add.2) stated that Iranian government was allowing the persons responsible for Mrs. Kazemi's death to remain unpunished. Only the Interrogator from the Intelligence Ministry Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi has been charged and he pleaded not guilty at the trial's first and only session in October 2003. Chief Prosecutor, Judge Said Mortazavi has been let off."

Document(s): Open document

03.05.2004 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Iran's hardline judiciary banned the torturing of detainees ("Human rights groups welcome move to ban torture") [#21852],  [ID 8604]

Document(s): Open document

23.03.2004 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Report on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (English, French and Spanish) ("Civil and political rights, including the questions of: Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Report of the Special Rapporteur, Theo van Boven; Addendum: Summary of information, including individual cases, transmitted to Governments and replies received [E/CN.4/2004/56/Add.1]") [#23236],  [ID 8605]

Document(s): Open document

22.03.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Arzhang Davoodi remains in prison, although his family have paid bail, and is reportedly suffering from severe health problems as a result of torture and ill-treatment, for which he is being denied necessary medical treatment ("Iran - Further Information on UA 87/04") [#20640],  [ID 8606]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

28.05.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Torture and ill-treatment ("Annual Report 2003") [#13028],  [ID 8607]

"Torture and ill-treatment, including of prisoners of conscience, continued to be used, usually in cases where judicial or security officials denied detainees access to lawyers and relatives.
Siamak Pourzand, aged 72, was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment in April following an unfair trial. He had reportedly admitted to a range of accusations, including "having links with monarchists and counter-revolutionaries" and "creating disillusionment among young people". Also in April he made a televised "confession". The same month he reportedly suffered a heart attack and may have been denied effective medical treatment. AI feared that he was coerced into not lodging an appeal against the sentence, which was upheld in early July. He continued to be held in a secret location until his temporary release in December.
Ali Afshari, a student leader, told reporters in February, during temporary leave from prison, that he had been forced by Revolutionary Guards to make a false confession. The "confession" had been broadcast on state television in May 2001 while he was being interrogated at a military detention centre, where he was held for almost a year in solitary confinement. In an open letter to the Supreme Leader in August, he described the circumstances of his arrest, detention, interrogation and forced televised confession and asked the Supreme Leader to take action against official bodies responsible for his ill-treatment. Although serving a one-year sentence in connection with his participation at the Berlin conference in April 2000, he faced new charges based on alleged defamation and security violations. He was subsequently sentenced to a further year's imprisonment."

Document(s): Open document
Open document Open document

29.08.2002 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Worsening human rights situation, currently characterised by an increase in reports of actual or upcoming serious human rights violations, including mass arbitrary arrests, amputations, public floggings and executions ("Iran: an increase in reports of serious human rights violations, including mass arbitrary arrests, amputations and public floggings and executions [Case IRN 290802 / IRN 290802.CC]") [#8466],  [ID 8609]

Document(s): Open document

12.06.2002 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Decision by Council of Guardians to veto a parliamentary bill designed to discourage torture condemned ("Iran: Veto on Torture Bill Condemned") [#7445],  [ID 8610]

Document(s): Open document

09.06.2002 - Source: BBC News

Guardian Council rejected as unconstitutional a parliamentary bill banning torture to obtain prisoner confessions ("Iranian watchdog rejects torture bill") [#7416],  [ID 8611]

Document(s): Open document

19.02.2002 - Source: Frankfurter Rundschau

"Die Menschen verbrennen innerlich" (""Die Menschen verbrennen innerlich"") [#5613],  [ID 8612]

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 – ACCORD: Students Akbar Mohammadi and Ahmad Batebi tortured in Towhid detention centre; forced confession ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8613]

"Students Akbar Mohammadi and Ahmad Batebi were tortured in the Towhid detention centre in South Central Tehran, which had already been in use under the Shah and has in the meantime been closed by the authorities. Towhid, administered by the Ministry of Intelligence, was closed in August 2000 by order of the judiciary. Akbar Mohammadi
stated that his feet were whipped with metal cables and that he was suspended by his limbs. In addition, he was repeatedly kicked and beaten, and when he could no longer move he was told by his torturers that all he needed to do was to admit that he had thrown a molotov cocktail during the student demonstrations. If he had agreed to that
they would have stopped the beating. Ahmad Batebi stated that he had been beaten while blindfolded and bound, and ordered to sign a confession. He reportedly wrote that his head was plunged into a drain full of excrement and held under, forcing him to inhale excrement through his nose and into his mouth. Their death sentence was overturned in April 2000 and the two men were sentenced to 15 and 10 years' imprisonment respectively (see ai Annual Report 2000)."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf