Amnesty International: [ID 9426]

Tageszeitung: [ID 9436]

13.08.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

According to an Iranian news website, Mehdi Khoda'i and Salman Sima released; 10 other students remain in detention ("Further Information on Urgent Action 212/08 (MDE 13/104/2008, 31 July 2008) [MDE 13/112/2008]") [ID 25118]

Document(s): Open document

25.07.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Mahboubeh Karami held in Evin Prison since 13 June 2008; her family was unable to pay the bail of 1,000 billion rials (approximately US$110,000); Karami denies involvement in demonstration in Mellat Park which had been the trigger for mass arrests ("Further Information on Urgent Action 169/08 (MDE 13/084/2008, 17 June 2008 and Follow up MDE 13/089/2008, 27 June 2008) [MDE 13/097/2008]") [ID 25088]

Document(s): Open document

15.07.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

US State Department concerned that student arrests in Iran continue; 2 more students arrested and sent to Evin prison in Tehran; both members of pro-reform student group The Office to Consolidate Unity; total of 18 arrested students ("US says it is concerned about student arrests in Iran") [ID 25075]

Document(s): Open document

14.07.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

Two prominent student activists, Mohammad Hashemi and Bahareh Hedayat, arrested and sent to Evin prison in Tehran ("Iran arrests two prominent student activists") [ID 25074]

Document(s): Open document

19.06.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

All dissident voices continued to be targets of repression with recurring waves of arrests and arbitrary sentences ("Steadfast in Protest; Annual Report 2007"), Author: The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders [ID 24845]

See page 201 - 203

"[...] 2007 was a particularly dark year for freedoms in Iran, and was marked by the unprecedented repression of all actors of civil society [1]. All dissident voices continued to be targets of repression, especially journalists, students, trade unionists, political opponents, university teachers and intellectuals, and moderate religious leaders, with recurring waves of arrests and arbitrary sentences.

A number of newspapers and Internet publications were also banned and journalists were arrested and given extremely harsh sentences, especially those from the Kurdish province. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

17.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Mahboubeh Karami, journalist and women’s rights defender, was removed from a bus and arrested by plain clothed security forces shortly after a demonstration; about 200 other people are known to have been arrested in connection with the demonstration ("Urgent Action 169/08 [MDE 13/084/2008]") [ID 24841]

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Minister of Intelligence accuses students and the women's movement of being part of a "soft overthrow" ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23350]

"[...] In April, the Minister of Intelligence, Gholam Hossein Eje’i, publicly accused students and the women’s movement of being part of an attempt to bring about the “soft overthrow” of the Iranian government. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Student and women's rights activist Amir Yaghoub-Ali sentenced to one year imprisonment for "endangering national security" ("Sentencing of Mr. Amir Yaghoub-Ali to one year of imprisonment [IRN 007 / 0508 / OBS 090]") [ID 24706]

Document(s): Open document

18.04.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

3 Amir Kabir University students were sentenced to prison terms of between 22 and 30 months; they remain at risk of torture and ill-treatment ("Further Information on Urgent Action 113/07 (MDE 13/054/2007, 15 May 2007) and follow-ups (MDE 13/077/2007, 22 June 2007; MDE 13/098/2007, 1 August 2007 and MDE 13/114/2007, 26 September 2007) [MDE 13/055/2008]") [ID 24608]

Document(s): Open document

16.04.2008 - Source: Daily Star

3 students sentenced to prison terms ranging from 22 to 30 months for insulting Islam ("Iranian court jails dissident students for up to 30 months"), Author: Agence France-Presse (AFP) [ID 24606]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

During 2007 student groups reported interference with their activities and with student elections and publications. Authorities closed student publications at Amir Kabir University and arrested several students ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22877]

"[...] Student groups reported interference with their activities and with student elections and publications. Authorities closed student publications at Amir Kabir University and arrested several students affiliated with the publications in the weeks prior to elections for the Islamic Students Association. Between May 3 and June 6, authorities arrested eight students at Amir Kabir University on charges of "insulting state leaders," "inciting public opinion," and "printing inflammatory and derogatory materials" in student publications, according to HRW. On July 18, authorities released five of the students on bail. The Tehran Revolutionary Court gave the other three, Ahmad Ghassaban, Ehsan Mansouri, and Majid Tavakoli, mandatory jail sentences after finding them guilty of collaborating to "print inflammatory and derogatory materials." The court sentenced Tavakoli to three years in prison, Ghassaban to two-and-a-half years, and Mansouri to two years. At year's end, they were acquitted of the most serious charges, including insulting Islam. On December 19, the judge sentenced them to four months in prison and ordered their release. At year's end, prison authorities refused to release them.

In September Tehran prosecutor general Saeed Mortazavi reportedly met with the editors of four reformist newspapers and warned them not to publish articles about the detained student activists from Amir Kabir University. Mortazavi reportedly showed the editors "evidence" of the charges against the students and also threatened to suspend the newspapers if the editors did not comply. Following the incident, more than 100 journalists reportedly released a joint statement protesting Mortazavi's threats. This follows similar actions in 2006 in which the Ministry of Intelligence and Security and the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance reportedly jointly instructed the semi-official news outlets Iranian Student News Agency and Iranian Labor News Agency not to report on the arrests and prosecution of student activists without coordinating with those ministries."

Document(s): Open document

25.02.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

University of Shahrood: 20 students arrested during protest and held at unknown place ("20 students arrested during protest in northern Iran") [ID 23609]

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Iranian government shows no tolerance for peaceful protests and gatherings ("World Report 2008") [ID 23555]

"The Ahmadinejad government shows no tolerance for peaceful protests and gatherings. In March 2007 security forces arrested over 30 women peacefully demonstrating outside a courthouse in Tehran to protest the prosecution of three 2 prominent women’s rights activists.

That same month security forces arrested hundreds of teachers peacefully protesting outside parliament in Tehran and in other cities for wage and benefits improvements. After releasing them the government prosecuted some of the protesters, leading mainly to suspended sentences. Some protesters were suspended from teaching or had their jobs transferred to other cities.

In July security forces arrested six Amir Kabir University students who were staging a peaceful sit-in in commemoration of the anniversary of the 1999 student protests that the government had violently suppressed. The government released the six on bail and their cases remain open at this writing."

Document(s): Open document

12.01.2008 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Universities in Tehran and other Iranian cities have reportedly taken "disciplinary measures" against some 60 student activists amid crackdown ahead of parliamentary polls in March ("Authorities Target More Student Activists Ahead Of Elections") [ID 22245]

Document(s): Open document

09.01.2008 - Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Query response on the treatment of student protestors or activists (June 2006 - November 2007) ("The treatment of student protestors or activists (June 2006 - November 2007) [IRN102672.E]") [ID 22440]

"[...] Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted that there had been a "year-long official drive to punish student activists for political activities, beliefs, writings, and membership in student associations that are not officially endorsed" (HRW Oct. 2006,1).
[...] Politically active students face disciplinary committees (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a; RFE/RL 24 Apr. 2007) courts (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a; RFE/RL 24 Apr. 2007), jail sentences (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a), expulsion (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a, Freedom House 2007b), bans from university (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a; HRW Oct. 2006, 2; RFE/RL 24 Apr. 2007) or restrictions on registering (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a; HRW Oct. 2006, 2; Freedom House 2007b).

HRW also indicates that some students have had to sign promises not to engage in protests (HRW Oct. 2006, 5-6). [...] Student groups report interference with their activities and with student elections (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a). All applicants to universities must pass "character tests" which officials use to deny entry to those who are seen as dissenting from the government's ideology (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 2a). Students also note that a "star system" is used in universities to label politically active students, with three stars sufficient to have a student banned from further university studies.

[...]Human rights organizations indicate that jailed students are subject to lengthy detentions in prison, including time in solitary confinement; are denied access to family or to lawyers; and have subjected to routine physical abuse and interrogations aimed at eliciting coerced confessions (HRW 22 June 2007; HRW 27 July 2007; AI 26 Sept. 2007; Front Line n.d.a)."

Document(s): Open document

01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report on the government's use of security laws as a pretext to detain student activists ("“You Can Detain Anyone for Anything” - Iran’s Broadening Clampdown on Independent Activism") [ID 22730]

"Tracing the persecution of students since July 2005, one month before Ahmadinejad took office, Human Rights Watch documented in October 2006 the cases of 35 student activists whom the Judiciary sentenced to prison terms or fined for political activity that the government characterized as “acting against national security.” […]

On August 19, 2006, authorities arrested two recent university graduates, Abolfazl Jahandar and Kheirollah Derakhshandi.106 Nearly a month later, on September 18, authorities arrested university instructor and activist Kayvon Ansari outside his home. Agents of the Ministry of Information detained all of the men without charge and interrogated them in Evin 209. In February 2007 the Sixth Branch of the Revolutionary Court sentenced each of them to between two and three years of imprisonment on charges of “acting against national security,” “meeting and colluding to undermine national security,” and “insulting officials.”

On April 4, 2007, the three appealed their cases to Branch 32 of Tehran’s Appellate Court.On September 13, the appellate court ordered the release of Kayvon Ansari, but the cases of Jahandar and Derakhshandi are still pending appeals. As they did with workers and women’s rights activists, authorities intensified their harassment of students and student-affiliated activists in the spring and summer of 2007. From May through July, Ministry of Information officials arrested over 20 students and activists on charges under the Security Laws, including “acting against national security” and “colluding against the order.”

They also arrested eight student editors and activists for allegedly “insulting state leaders,” “inciting public opinion,” and “printing inflammatory and derogatory materials” in student publications at Amir Kabir University. […]

Sources in Iran who have been in touch with the families of the students and activists detained on July 19 told Human Rights Watch that the Ministry of Information was holding them in solitary confinement and pressuring them to confess to acts they have not committed, such as being connected to forces outside the country and planning to implement a “soft revolution” in Iran. These reports indicate that authorities may be attempting to build charges of “espionage” and “acting against national security” against the detainees, which can carry heavy prison sentences. The cases fit the broader pattern of persecuting independent social and political activists whom the government perceives as critics. The government has released all of the students and activists arrested in May July of 2007, with the exception of Majid Tavakoli, Ahmad Ghasaban, and Ehsan Mansouri, whose prosecution and conviction is mentioned above."

Document(s): Report
Press Release

26.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Three politically active students who had been sentenced to two to three years in prison for crimes including insulting supreme leader Khomeini are expected to be released on bail soon, their lawyer says ("Students will be released soon, lawyer says"), Author: New York Times [ID 22155]

Document(s): Open document

22.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Three students still in jail after failing to raise bail; they are charged with insulting supreme leader Khomeini, their lawyer says ("Students still in jail: lawyer"), Author: AFP [ID 22153]

Document(s): Open document

19.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Student arrested after reporting to moral police as he had been instructed to do; he had previously been arrested while distributing leaflets against detention of fellow students ("Student arrested after reporting to court as summoned") [ID 22150]

Document(s): Open document

13.12.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Between 20 and 30 students are being detained without charge mostly in Tehran but also other cities, following protests against the replacement of scores of professors and other actions apparently intended to further limit freedom of expression on university campuses ("Urgent Action 331/07 [MDE 13/147/2007]") [ID 22142]

Document(s): Open document

11.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Iran is currently holding up to 24 students in jail after spate of university demonstrations in Tehran, judiciary said ("Iran detains more than 20 students after demos: judiciary") [ID 22141]

Document(s): Open document

09.12.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Rallies and arrests suggest that the country's student movement is gaining steam for yet another push for change in the Islamic republic ("Iran: Protests Lend Momentum To Students' Struggle") [ID 22138]

Document(s): Open document

09.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Hundreds of students expressed their anger over government crackdown on activists in protest Sunday at Tehran University, the second such demonstration in less than a week, witnesses and state radio said ("Iranian students protest at university"), Author: Associated Press [ID 22139]

Document(s): Open document

10.11.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

HRW urges the head of Iran´s judiciary to suspend a two and a half year prison sentence against women’s rights activist Delaram Ali; in addition the government should release at least 10 other students and activists detained for their participation in peaceful demonstrations ("Suspend Heavy Sentence for Women´s Rights Activist") [ID 21736]

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Tehran: Detention of Ali Nikunesbati, the spokesman for the Office for Strengthening Unity (Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat), is the 6th of a student activist in the past 10 days ("Speaker For Pro-Reform Student Group Detained In Iran") [ID 21730]

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Tehran: One of the students who took part in anti-government demonstration last week at his university has been arrested, his mother says ("Security forces arrest student protestor in capital") [ID 21670]

Document(s): Open document

04.11.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Tehran: Group of Iranian students protests against detentions of three fellow students last week, news agency reports ("Students hold protest against arrests"), Author: Reuters [ID 21673]

Document(s): Open document

03.11.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Tehran: Three students who were detained in course of an anti-government protest transferred to infamous Evin Prison ("3 detained students transferred to Iran’s notorious Evin Prison") [ID 21675]

Document(s): Open document

02.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

7 people detained by Ministry of Intelligence in late August and early September; they had taken part in a ceremony marking the 19th anniversary of the 1988 prison massacres in which thousands of political prisoners were executed; fear of ill-treatment ("Urgent Action 286/07 [MDE 13/128/2007]") [ID 21741]

Document(s): Open document

30.10.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Tehran: At least half a dozen students arrested while taking part in anti-government protest on campus of their university ("Iran detains students as demo erupts on Tehran campus") [ID 21679]

Document(s): Open document

10.09.2007 - Source: Federal Government (Germany)

Deterioration of human rights situation since Mahmud Ahmadinejad assumed office in 2005; details on death penalty and corporal punishment (response to parliamentary query, in German) ("Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen - BT-Drs. 16/6336") [ID 22411]

"[...] Verfolgungen und Verurteilungen von Studenten haben im Iran zugenommen. Mindestens ein Dutzend Studenten befinden sich derzeit in Haft. Nach Auskunft von Menschenrechtsorganisationen sollen sie in Einzelhaft gehalten, gefoltert und nicht ausreichend medizinisch versorgt worden sein. Andere sind bereits zu mehrjährigen Freiheitsstrafen verurteilt worden. Ihre Verfolgung steht im Zusammenhang mit der Veröffentlichung von kritischen Zeitungsbeiträgen und der Teilnahme an Demonstrationen. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

09.07.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Tehran: Six members of Iran's largest reformist student group have been detained ("More Student Activists Detained In Iran") [ID 21590]

Document(s): Open document

03.07.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

An Iranian court has given a women's rights activist a suspended sentence for taking part in a protest last year ("Iran Sentences Women's Rights Activist") [ID 21442]

Document(s): Open document

24.06.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Mounting crackdown on dissidents, including labour leaders, universities, press, women’s rights advocates, former nuclear negotiator and Iranian-Americans ("Iran cracks down on dissent, parading examples in streets") [ID 21457]

Document(s): Open document

16.06.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Arrests, interrogations, intimidation and harassment of thousands of Iranians as well as purges of academics and new censorship codes for media ("Iran curtails freedom in throwback to 1979") [ID 21463]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Student protester Akbar Mohammadi, arrested in July 1999 student demonstrations, died in prison after hunger strike ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19340]

"On July 31, student protester Akbar Mohammadi died in Evin Prison following medical complications related to a hunger strike. Police first arrested Mohammadi following his participation in July 1999 student demonstrations to protest government closure of newspapers. Authorities reportedly denied Mohammadi's parents permission to see their son's body and did not respond to calls for an independent investigation into the cause of death."

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

Student activist Manuchehr Mohammadi, brother of Akbar Mohammadi who died in custody, fled the country while on furlough from Evin Prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20033]

"In October student activist Manuchehr Mohammadi fled the country while on furlough from Evin Prison. Mohammadi was sentenced to 13 years in prison, following involvement in the July 1999 Tehran student protests. He is the brother of activist Akbar Mohammadi, who died in custody on July 31 (see section 1.a.)."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Student activist Peyman Piran sentenced to 10 years in prison; his father who wanted to organise a teachers' strike was forcibly evicted, reportedly beaten and held in solitary confinement ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20319]

"In 2004 Peyman Piran, a student activist, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for acting against national security, contacting foreigners, disturbing public opinion, and behaving insultingly. In 2004 security forces also forcibly evicted his father, retired teacher Mostafa Piran, and his family. Mostafa Piran was reportedly beaten and held in solitary confinement in July 2004for his attempt to organize a teachers' strike to mark the anniversary of the July 1999 student demonstrations, in defiance of a ban. Mostafa was released in March 2005, but Peyman remained in Evin Prison. There was no additional verified information on Peyman Piran at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In December 2004 student leader Heshmatollah Tabarzadi was sentenced to 16 years in prison; in August 2005 temporarily furloughed but in July 2006 again in Evin Prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20321]

"In December 2004 student leader Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, jailed since June 2003, was sentenced by the revolutionary court to 16 years in prison. He was temporarily furloughed in August 2005; however, in July according to AI, he was in Evin Prison."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

No pardonation of students imprisoned as political prisoners ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18492]

"In a September 4 open letter, a local prisoners' rights group, the Association in Defense of Prisoner's Rights, appealed on the basis of human rights to Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Shahrudi for progress in cases of political prisoners. On September 18, Sharq newspaper reported that Shahrudi ordered these cases investigated.

On September 26, Shahrudi directed leaves of absence to all imprisoned students, regardless of their crimes, and asked the government to provide a list of their names. By October 25, no students had been released and the spokesman of the Student Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners said problems faced by student and other prisoners were worsening. In November Justice Minister Karimi-Rad said that 18 names of proreform students arrested during previous years' protests had been provided, and the judiciary would ask the supreme leader to pardon them. At year's end it did not appear that any further action had been taken."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Student leaders and activists sentenced to prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18597]

"On September 26, at the same time of Judiciary Chief Shahrudi's directive to give leave to all student prisons, the revolutionary court sentenced Ali Afshari, a student leader, to six years in prison and five years deprivation of his civil rights for acting against national security. This ruling came approximately six weeks after Afshari's public call for Akbar Ganji's release. After posting $250 thousand (200 million tomans) bail, Afshari was allowed to travel outside the country while appealing his sentence.

In November student activist Akbar Atri was sentenced in his absence to five years in prison for his activities.

In December student leader Abdullah Momeni was given a five-year suspended prison sentence."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Tehran: Cases of students arrested after the student demonstration in 1999 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18600]

"Abbas Deldar, arrested after the July 1999 student demonstrations in Tehran, has been in prison seven years. He has been periodically furloughed, but at year's end he was in Rajai'i Shahr prison.

Mehrdad Lohrasbi was also arrested in the 1999 student demonstrations. The revolutionary court condemned him to death, but his sentence was later reduced to 15 years, 10 of which were suspended. He was released in 2004 for several months but then returned to jail. He is believed to have been tortured. As of year's end, he remained in Rajai'i Shahr prison and reportedly was in poor health.

Manuchehr and Akbar Mohammadi were also arrested during the July 1999 student demonstrations and sentenced to 15 years prison after appeal. At year's end both were on furlough. Ahmad Batebi received a death sentence for "endangering national security" by participating in the 1999 student demonstrations, later reduced to 10 years by an appeals court in 2000. Batebi was temporarily released in 2004, in advance of the fourth round of talks on human rights with the EU. Subsequently, he was returned to prison and then furloughed again early in the year."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Student activist sentenced to 10 years in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18647]

"In April 2004 Peyman Piran, a student activist, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for acting against national security, contacting foreigners, disturbing public opinion, and behaving insultingly(see section 1.d.)."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Student leader sentenced to 16 years in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18656]

"In December 2004 student leader Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, jailed since June 2003, was sentenced by the revolutionary court to 16 years in prison. He was temporarily furloughed August 24, but at year's end he was in Evin prison."

Document(s): Open document

28.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Teheran: Students attacked UK embassy in protest at international pressure over Iran's nuclear programme; some demonstrators injured when police broke up protest ("Tehran students attack UK embassy") [#37113],  [ID 9381]

Document(s): 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 9382]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

11.08.2005 - Source: BBC News

Tehran: Some 250 people held rally in support of jailed Iranian dissident writer who has now been on hunger strike for 63 days; he started his hunger strike to pressure judges to grant him unconditional release ("Iran rally to save fasting writer") [#35308],  [ID 9383]

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Academic freedom ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 9384]

"[...]Academic freedom in Iran is limited. Scholars are frequently detained for expressing political views, and students involved in organizing protests often face suspension or expulsion by university disciplinary committees. In November, members of the Basij militia reportedly assaulted and briefly detained the head of Elm-o-Sanaat University after the school hosted a lecture by a prominent dissident.[...]"

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 9385]

Document(s): Open document

12.07.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Clashes between students, demonstrating against imprisonment of dissident, and police in front of Teheran University ("Students, Police Clash In Tehran") [#34030],  [ID 9386]

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

Student unrest in june 2003 ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31980],  [ID 9387]

"[...]Student Unrest - June 2003.
4.21 According to the June 2004 Human Right Watch Report - "Like the Dead in Their Coffins", "The current pressure for democratic reform in Iran changed dramatically after the student protests at Tehran University in 1999, protests that marked the beginning of the contemporary student movement. The protests began over the closure of the well known newspaper Salam. Black-clad thugs attacked the students, beating many and killing at least one student. President Khatami called for an investigation and trial of those responsible, but no convictions were ever returned. Every year on the anniversary of the 1999 event, students have gathered at Tehran University and other major campuses throughout the country. The date has been a flashpoint for violence and tension, and as recently as July 2003 the authorities have tried to keep large crowds from gathering at the university campus in Tehran." [8j](pg32)
4.22 Thousands of Iranians took to the streets on 10/11 June 2003 and again on the following 10 nights. Ostensibly they were protesting against draft proposals to privatise universities in Iran. They were joined by local residents and the demonstration reportedly escalated and became increasingly politicised, with slogans being chanted against political leaders. Militant supporters of religious leaders opposed to social reform began to attack the demonstrators and police rapidly intervened to end the clashes. As the demonstrations grew over the following nights, Tehran's Special Forces (Nirou-ye Vijeh) were deployed to disperse demonstrators. There were reports, however, that the Special Forces permitted some militants to attack peaceful demonstrators and that in certain instances excessive force may have been used to break up the demonstrations. Some demonstrators were reportedly attacked by unknown individuals on motorcycles wielding iron bars. [9w]
4.23 The demonstrations were part of countrywide unrest which began on 11 June and lasted for ten days. Hundreds of people have reportedly been arrested and according to a statement made by the head of the Tehran Justice Department Abbas Ali Alizadeh on 24 June "the judiciary is intent on dealing firmly with the main perpetrators". [9w] Around 4,000 people were reportedly arrested, up to 2,000 of whom were still held in mid-July. At least 65 have been charged, but the charges have not been made public. [9x]
4.24 Few students were reported among those arrested during the clashes which indicated that the dissent was by no means confined to the campuses where the trouble began. Many of those taking part in the protests, which later took the form of horn-sounding in traffic jams, were ordinary people, often families, who wanted to register their dismay that so little of the change they have been voting for since 1997 has been brought about. [21bi]
4.25 About 4,000 people were arrested all over the country before and after the protests. Although many of those have since been released, there are still scores of students behind bars. [21bj] Some of these have been in prison since they were arrested as a result of similar disturbances in 1999/2000/2001. For the moment however it appears that the various students’ organisations can go about their business unperturbed. There has been a certain depoliticisation of the student population. Students are losing interest because the political situation is not changing, and the centre of gravity of their activities has shifted towards cultural and social initiatives. [43](pg17)
4.26 According to a Documentation, Information and Research Branch, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada (DIRB) report of December 2000 it had been reported that some persons, including non-students, were still in danger of arrest because of their involvement in the student demonstrations of July 1999 and that police used published photographs and film to identify participants in these demonstrations. It was further stated that it was possible that persons involved with the July 1999 demonstrations could still be arrested. However, it was also stated that, if they were arrested, they would likely be charged with something else, such as a drug offence, rather than on the grounds of their involvement in the July 1999 demonstrations. [2u] [...]"

Document(s): Open document

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

Student activists intimidated into abandoning peaceful political activity ("Civil and political rights [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/310]") [#30293],  [ID 9388]

"[...]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 9389]

"[...]
Several tens of students are still in prison in connection with the protests of 1999; this is notably the case of Ahmad Batebi, Manoutchehr Mohammadi, Mehrdad Lohrasbi, Akbar Mohammadi, Farzad Hamidi, and Peyman Piran. Heshmattolah Tabarzadi, responsible of a students' association, in jail since more than one year, was condemned to 14 years in prison in January 2005. Bina Darab-Zand, another student, was condemned in October 2004 to three years and a half in prison. After they protested against their conditions of detention, a number of them were transfered to the Karaj prison, 40 km from Tehran.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Student returned to prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 9390]

"[...]According to HRW, following a meeting in November 2003 with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, a student (Ahmed Batebi), who was out of prison on medical leave, was returned to prison by government officials (see Section 1.d.). [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 9391]

"[...]Security forces often targeted family members of political prisoners for harassment. In April, a court sentenced student activist Payman Piran, detained since February on charges of acting against national security, contacting foreigners, disturbing public opinion, and behaving insultingly, to 10 years in prison. In July, security forces forcibly evicted retired teacher Mostafa Piran, father of Peyman Piran, and his family from their apartment, confiscated their goods, and sealed the apartment. They beat Mostafa Piran and then detained him in Evin Prison. He was not informed of any charges against him nor allowed to see a lawyer. Subsequently, family members who saw him said that he had been mistreated during lengthy interrogation sessions and badly bruised. Also in July, Simin Mohammadi and her father Mohammad Mohammadi, sister and father respectively of jailed student activists Manuchehr and Akbar Mohammadi, were arrested, reportedly for "acts against state security." Simin was released after posting bail following 2 weeks' imprisonment in solitary confinement; her father also was released on bail after having had a heart attack in solitary confinement. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Student protests ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 9392]

"[...]During a wave of student protests in June 2003, government-supported vigilantes beat many protestors, and police arrested approximately 4,000 persons according to government figures shortly after the protests. Although the police arrested both protestors and vigilantes, the overwhelming majority of those arrested were protestors. Approximately 130 of those arrested during these protests were still in detention as of December. The Government banned demonstrations planned for July 9 to commemorate the killing of several students by security forces in the 1999 demonstrations in both 2003 and 2004 (see Sections 1.b. and 1.f.). An unknown number of the students were still imprisoned, in addition to Ahmed Batebi, Manuchehr Mohammadi, Abbas Fakhravar, Akbar Mohammadi, and Mehrdad Lahrasbi. AI reported in March that Abbas Fakhravar had been given 19 days leave from prison and that prior to temporary release, he had been confined in "Band 325" military detention center run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and subjected to sensory deprivation. As of November, International PEN reported that Fakhravar Fakhravar had been returned to Evin Prison. In December, according to local media, imprisoned student activist Manuchehr Mohamadi was found guilty of disturbing order in prison and acting against officials, and fined approximately $375 (300,000 Tomans), which converted to additional imprisonment. [...]

In November 2002, the Aghajari verdict sparked large and ongoing protests at universities throughout the country (see Section 1.e.). Students boycotted classes for almost 2 weeks and staged the largest pro-reform demonstrations in 3 years, with crowds of up to 5,000 at any given location. In late December 2002, two students were given jail terms for their protests against the Aghajari sentence. Hojatollah Rahimi was sentenced to 2 years in prison and 70 lashes for "insulting religious sanctities and issuing an insulting declaration." Co-defendant Parviz Torkashvand was sentenced to 4 months in jail and 40 lashes. At year's end, there was no further information on their status.
Government restrictions using Basiji and other forces restored quiet for 2 weeks, until a large demonstration occurred at the University of Tehran in December 2002, attended by over 2,000 within the walls of the campus, and with a larger crowd outside. Law enforcement officials and "plainclothes" forces wielding batons, whips, and belts suppressed the protest. Basiji violently dispersed subsequent demonstrations. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

05.08.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

The recent hunger strike in Tehran's Evin prison and the unabated wave of arrests and temporary detention of students, journalists and workers are some of the signs of a worsening human rights situation in Iran ("Iran: Human rights commitments not matched by reality") [#24509],  [ID 9393]

Document(s): Open document

30.07.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Father of a prominent jailed student activist forcibly evicted from his government-owned apartment together with his family/ he is now held in Evin Prison, in Tehran, where he was ill-treated and possibly tortured ("Iran - UA 235/04") [#24382],  [ID 9394]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

07.07.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Akbar Mohammadi, who was detained in early July 1999 during a student demonstration, still in detention ("Five Years of injustice and ill treatment: Akbar Mohammadi – case sheet") [#23840],  [ID 9395]

This document is an external campaign document focusing primarily on the case of Akbar Mohammadi, a possible prisoner of conscience.. However, the document also highlights Amnesty International's (AI) concerns in relation to torture, ill treatment of political prisoners, the administration of justice, and freedom of expression in Iran. This case sheet provides AI members with the opportunity to take sustained, long term action, locally, nationally and internationally on AI concerns in Iran

"In early July 1999, students gathered in a peaceful demonstration outside university dormitories in Tehran to protest against the forced closure of the daily newspaper (see details below). As their numbers grew, and the days passed, there were increasingly angry exchanges and eventually clashes between the security forces and demonstrators. Akbar Mohammadi was one of the hundreds of students arrested during the demonstrations. Like many other students, he was initially held in incommunicado detention in the Towhid detention centre under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence before being transferred to Tehran's Evin prison in March 2000.

Akbar Mohammadi was reportedly sentenced to death in September 1999 after a secret trial by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran whose procedures did not conform to international standards of fair trial. His sentence was reportedly upheld by the Supreme Court, but was subsequently commuted to 15 years' imprisonment by Bench 21 of the Tehran Appeal Court in November 1999."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

07.07.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Harassment and arrest of members of the Mohammadi family ("Five Years of injustice and ill treatment: Akbar Mohammadi – case sheet") [#23840],  [ID 9396]

"Akbar Mohammadi may be have been targeted for arrest in part on account of the activities of his brother, Manuchehr Mohammadi, a member of the Anjoman-e Daneshjuyan va Daneshamuktegan-e Melli (National Association of Students and Graduates). Manuchehr Mohammadi, detained around the same time as Akbar, was accused of having a leading role in the unrest, demonstrations on 19 and 26 July 1999. He was shown on television giving televised 'confessions' relating to his involvement with "counter-revolutionary agents". He was charged with offences reportedly relating to national security and tried in secret.."

Document(s): Open document
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07.07.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Heshmatollah Tabarzadi and Mohammad Reza Kasrani, detained after student demonstrations in 1999, still in prison ("Five Years of injustice and ill treatment: Akbar Mohammadi – case sheet") [#23840],  [ID 9397]

"Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, detained following the demonstrations in 1999, was reportedly beaten and flogged with metal cables on the soles of his feet. He was later released without charge or trial. Amnesty International also received reports that another student, Mohammad Reza Kasrani, endured "blows to his feet until blood poured out". Amnesty International remains concerned regarding the reported continued detention or harassment of other students."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

21.01.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Freelance journalist, who has written for a number of overseas newspapers, arrested/ there are fears he might be tortured and ill treated in detention ("Iran - UA 25/04") [#18889],  [ID 9398]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

19.01.2004 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Independent journalist, employed by a number of reformist dailies, was arrested at his home by order of the Tabriz revolutionary court in north-western Iran ("Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of independent journalist") [#18990],  [ID 9399]

"Hedayat was previously arrested on 16 June 2003, at the University of Tabriz, where he was covering student demonstrations. Accused of inciting the students to revolt, he spent more than 20 days in solitary confinement. After his release on 14 July, he wrote a letter to President Khatami in which he spoke out against his prison conditions and against torture practised by the security forces."

Document(s): Open document

18.11.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Father of a student activist Ahmad Batebi, who was feared to have "disappeared", was informed by Tehran's Chief Prosecutor that his son was back in prison/ there are concerns for his physical condition ("Iran - Further Information on UA 330/03") [#17703],  [ID 9400]

Document(s): Open document
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13.11.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Student activist has reportedly "disappeared" while on leave from prison, following a meeting with a United Nations (UN) official/ there are grave concerns for his safety ("Iran - UA 330/03") [#17569],  [ID 9401]

Document(s): Open document

24.10.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Iranian-American academic is being held without charge by Iranian authorities since July/ he is held in solitary confinement and at risk of being tortured ("Iran: Detained Professor Should Be Freed") [#17046],  [ID 9402]

"Zahedi was also reportedly told that he was under suspicion of organizing student protests because he had been to Iran for several consecutive summers on dates that coincided with the politically charged anniversaries of the 1999 Tehran University protests."

Document(s): Open document

15.10.2003 - Source: International Crisis Group

15.10.2003 - ICG: Student protests against university privatisation plans in June 2003 quickly took political turn; protesters chanting slogans calling for “freedom” and “referendum”; 4,000 demonstrators reportedly arrested ("Iran: Discontent and Disarray") [#16759],  [ID 9403]

"On 10 June 2003, roughly 80 students living in Tehran University dormitories demonstrated against the school’s rumoured privatisation plans. The immediate spark was economic: as most dormitory residents come from relatively modest small-town backgrounds, few would be able to afford the price of private tuition. But the demonstrations quickly took a decidedly political turn. Sensing an opportunity to voice their displeasure with the government, a horde of disenchanted youth from around the capital – many unemployed, including from families with strong religious backgrounds – soon joined the student demonstrators. Indeed some of the fiercest clashes took place in the poorer neighbourhoods of south Tehran. In addition, several thousand middleclass Tehranis, some encouraged by Los Angelesbased Iranian satellite television stations, drove to the campus area and honked horns in solidarity.

Throughout the week of unrest, protesters chanted slogans calling for, among other things, “freedom” and “referendum” – an increasingly popular battlecry among young protesters which implies a popular vote on whether to change the regime. More radical protesters cried disparaging remarks against Supreme Leader Khamenei as well as the late Ayatollah Khomeini that were once unthinkable in a public rally.

Still, although altogether close to 10,000 took part, at no time did the rallies appear to pose a serious threat to the regime. The Basij militia – one of the most powerful paramilitary organisations, comprising for
the most part volunteers between the ages of fifteen and 30 from rural areas or poorer areas in larger cities – armed with clubs and chains, seemed eager for confrontation and used force unhesitatingly. Riot police stood by with machine guns in case things got out of control, and the threat they represented was a significant factor in preventing the protests from spreading more widely. At one point police clashed with overzealous Basij members for attacking peaceful protesters, fearful that their impulsive provocations would exacerbate unrest. Some 4,000 demonstrators reportedly were arrested."

Document(s): Open document

01.10.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

01.10.2003 - HRW: Iranian authorities use university disciplinary committees as a means to punish students for participating in political protests ("Iran: Stop Punishing Student Activists") [#16402],  [ID 9404]

"University disciplinary committees (komiteh enzebati) throughout Iran are reportedly holding hearings of students allegedly involved in pro-reform protests over the last year. The committees have suspended some students for one semester and expelled others. [...]

The university disciplinary committees predate the 1979 revolution. Generally controlled by university administrations, they were created to address purely academic concerns such as cheating or disputes over school credits. However, in some universities, especially outside Tehran, hardliners in the government have pushed the committees to play an intrusive political role.

Since the July 1999 protests at Tehran University, the Iranian judiciary and security forces have repeatedly cracked down on student activists. The most recent protests, which spread from university campuses to other parts of major cities during June 2003, were violently suppressed by vigilante groups."

Document(s): Open document

04.09.2003 - Source: Prima News

Police in Tehran broke up a demonstration of students from Azad University; several protesters were beaten and arrested by police as they shouted slogans against the university management ("Iranian police deal with ‘difficult’ students") [#15770],  [ID 9405]

Document(s): Open document

07.08.2003 - Source: BBC News

Tehran's prosecutor general has ordered the release of 9 students who were arrested during anti-regime demonstrations ("Iran students ordered released") [#14906],  [ID 9406]

Document(s): Open document

04.08.2003 - Source: Guardian

Clergy has begun arresting and interrogating journalists, students and political activists in a new attempt to intimidate opposition before next year's parliamentary elections/ the authorities reportedly put inmates under extraordinary pressure to extract confessions ("Iran's hardliners step up arrests of activists") [#14803],  [ID 9407]

Document(s): Open document

10.07.2003 - Source: Guardian

3 Iranian student activists abducted by armed vigilantes after announcing that they were calling off rallies to mark the anniversary of democracy protests ("Iranian students held after calling off rally") [#14237],  [ID 9408]

Document(s): Open document

10.07.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

3 representatives of the Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat, Organization for the Consolidation of Unity (OCU) arrested after holding an open press conference at Tehran University in which they called for freedom of expression, profound political reforms and the release of fellow students/ they may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment and could be forced into making "confessions" under duress ("Iran - UA 204/03") [#14260],  [ID 9409]

Document(s): Open document

30.06.2003 - Source: BBC News

4 members of the Iranian parliament abandoned a sit-in they staged at the parliament building to protest against the arrest of students during and after anti-government demonstrations/ there are fears that the arrested may be subjected to physical and psychological torture ("Iran MPs end sit-in protest") [#13935],  [ID 9410]

Document(s): Open document

26.06.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

At least 55 students from Tehran University, arrested following demonstrations in the capital city/ they are at risk of torture or ill-treatment and may be forced into making confessions under duress ("Iran - UA 187/03") [#13801],  [ID 9411]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Vigilante and paramilitary forces known as lebas shakhs-iha (those who wear plain clothes), assaulted demonstrators using batons, chains and knives, reportedly causing many injuries/ the demonstrations began on June 10 over government plans to privatize Iran's universities ("Iran: End Vigilante Attacks") [#13658],  [ID 9412]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Student activist and political prisoner reportedly ill-treated by officials from the Revolutionary Guard/ his current whereabouts are unknown ("Iran - UA 181/03") [#13679],  [ID 9413]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

18.06.2003 - Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung

Überdruss des Volkes ("Überdruss des Volkes") [#14049],  [ID 9414]

16.06.2003 - Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung

Tausende fordern Rücktritt von Chamenei ("Tausende fordern Rücktritt von Chamenei") [#14064],  [ID 9415]

15.06.2003 - Source: New York Times

1 protester killed in the city of Shiraz, about 70 other people injured in Tehran over the last four nights of student demonstration ("Iran Blames Paramilitaries for Attacks on Student Protesters") [#13528],  [ID 9416]

Document(s): Open document

14.06.2003 - Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Es gärt weiter unter Teherans Studenten ("Es gärt weiter unter Teherans Studenten") [#14063],  [ID 9417]

12.06.2003 - Source: Frankfurter Rundschau

Rund 100 Iraner nach Protesten in Haft ("Rund 100 Iraner nach Protesten in Haft") [#14062],  [ID 9418]

04.02.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Arbitrary detention of students and the targeting of government critics increased in recent months ("Iran: U.K. Government Should Press for Real Reform") [#10585],  [ID 9419]

Document(s): Open document

26.11.2002 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iranian student arrests confirmed") [#9702],  [ID 9424]

Document(s): Open document

23.09.2002 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International: ("Stellungnahme v. 23.09.2002 an VG Wiesbaden - 4 E 1641/00.A - (German)") [#8810],  [ID 9425]

Document(s): 2582irn.doc

26.02.2002 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iranian student body 'paralysed' after raid") [#5696],  [ID 9427]

Document(s): Open document

20.02.2002 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iranian activist sorry for 'confession'") [#5671],  [ID 9428]

Document(s): Open document

15.02.2002 - Source: Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org

Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org: ("Treatment of Students [HRDE Packet IRN1] (Iran)") [#7816],  [ID 9420]

Document(s): Open document

15.02.2002 - Source: Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org

Human Rights Documentation Exchange Centre/asylumlaw.org: ("Treatment of Students [HRDE Packet IRN1] (Iran)") [#7816],  [ID 9429]

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Student arrests; mistreatment of students in detention ("Report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, pursuant to Commission resolution 2001/17 (E/CN.4/2002/42)") [#5732],  [ID 9421]

"41. Campus political activism grew in the run-up to the June presidential election. There
was an evident tone of anger and despondency. This continued up to the second anniversary,
on 9 July, of the 1999 student disturbances. For that occasion, the law enforcement agencies and
the vigilante Ansar-i Hizbullah were out in force. The press reported that 85 persons had been
arrested.
42. In the period since then other student arrests have been reported in the press. In August
new charges were reportedly brought against Ali Afshari, a student activist who had attended
the Berlin Conference (see paras. 52-53) and who since his arrest in December 2000, and
notwithstanding his purported confession on television, had reportedly been held in solitary
confinement until his recent release on bail.
43. Also during this period, two accounts of gross mistreatment of students in prison became
public. One reached the Special Representative in the form of a “public letter” and the other is
reportedly posted on the web. The former is yet another account of prolonged torture in Towhid
and other prisons.
44. In mid-November the Special Representative received a list of 19 imprisoned
students, 9 of whom have been detained since the July 1999 student disturbances. Only in some
of the cases is the place of detention known. In other cases the students are listed as “abducted”,
“whereabouts unknown” (see annex V). Four of them in Evin are reported to have begun a
hunger strike."

Document(s): sr-irn-0102.pdf
Open document

16.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Students arrested during the student demonstrations of July 1999 and continue to be in prison ("Report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, pursuant to Commission resolution 2001/17 (E/CN.4/2002/42)") [#5732],  [ID 9422]

"Mehran Abdolbaghi: a member of Iran’s National Front. He is charged with acting
against national security.

Ahmad Batebi: a member of the United Student Front. Charged with acting against
national security for holding up the bloody shirt of a fellow student. He was first sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to 10-years’ imprisonment. He has allegedly been tortured and is suffering from severe backache.

Hossein Deldar: a member of the United Student Front. He has been sentenced to
a 15-year term of imprisonment and is currently held at Evin.
Bahiyeh Jilani (a medical student): she has allegedly been tortured and requires urgent medical attention.

Manuchehr Mohammadi: head of the National Union of University Students and
Alumni. He is charged with “acting against national security”. He has been allegedly tortured and held in solitary confinement. He suffers from gum and kidney disease.

Akbar Mohammadi: brother of the above-named and a member of the National Union
of University Students and Alumni. He was originally sentenced to death, but his
sentence was then commuted to five years’ imprisonment. He has allegedly been
tortured and suffers from kidney disease and loss of hearing.

Farrokh Shafiee: a member of the United Student Front. He was sentenced to a
two-year term of imprisonment.

Behrouz Javid Tehrani: currently held at Karaj prison.

Hossein Yekta: a member of the United Student Front. Currently held at Evin prison.

According to the information received by the Special Representative the following student activists have been arrested in the past two years:

Amir Abbashgholi Nejad: arrested in November 2000 and at present imprisoned at
Evin.

Hassan Ghadimi and Ali Akbar Rahimi Far: members of the Democratic Front of
Iranian People; arrested in April 2001.

Siavosh Haji Hassan: a member of the United Student Front; arrested in April 2001 and held in an unknown location.

Mahmoud Shoshtari: a member of the United Student Front. Under arrest since
June 2000.

Rahim Ramezani: a Member of the Democratic Front of Iranian People; detained since April 2001 in an unknown location.

Mohammad Reza Kasrai: a member of the United Student Front; reportedly arrested in June 2000.

Kourosh Sehati and Saeed Kashiloo: members of the United Student Front, allegedly abducted in March 2001. Their whereabouts are unknown."

Document(s): sr-irn-0102.pdf
Open document

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

ACCORD: Not only the student leaders were arrested and later imprisoned but also a number of mere participants were convicted ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 9423]

"With regard to claims of students who have participated in student demonstrations, it
should be kept in mind that of the thousands who participated in student rallies all over
the country several hundred were arrested. Thus not only the student leaders were
arrested and later imprisoned but also a number of mere participants were convicted
with some of them still being in detention. Amnesty International knows of a number of
cases in the UK relating to the July 1999 incidents and of one case in Norway regarding
Khorramabad in northern Iran. In this regard, it is important to keep an eye out for
particular riots as only a small number of protests and demonstrations actually involve
students and intellectuals."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

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

00.11.2001 – ACCORD: Student demonstrations; violent clashes; 20 people arrested ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 9430]

"There were student demonstrations throughout the year 2000, in particular in Khorramabad in northwestern Iran, at the end of August 2000. Violent clashes between pro-reform supporters of President Khatami and those opposed to any change. Two clerics who wanted to address the meeting, Abdoulkarim Soroush and Mohsen Kadivar, a former prisoner of conscience, were blocked by protesters from entering the university premises. In the disturbances that followed, many protesters, including several policemen, were injured, and 20 people were arrested. Ultimately, at least six different investigations into the disturbances were carried out. [...]

With regard to claims of students who have participated in student demonstrations, it should be kept in mind that of the thousands who participated in student rallies all over the country several hundred were arrested. Thus not only the student leaders were arrested and later imprisoned but also a number of mere participants were convicted with some of them still being in detention. Amnesty International knows of a number of cases in the UK relating to the July 1999 incidents and of one case in Norway regarding Khorramabad in northern Iran. In this regard, it is important to keep an eye out for particular riots as only a small number of protests and demonstrations actually involve students and intellectuals."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

10.08.2001 - Source: UN General Assembly

Student arrests ("Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic in Iran A/ 56/278") [#4950],  [ID 9431]

"44. Campus political activism continued to grow in the months leading up to the June presidential elections. Some observers described the tone as increasingly one of anger and despondency which led to rallies protesting the treatment of detained students, support for dissident clerics such as Ayatollah Montezari, and open criticism of the political establishment, including both the Supreme Leader and the president. Groups of hooligans, including, in particular, the Ansar-i-Hezbullah, often confronted such student rallies. 45. In May, Ali Afshari, a leading dissident student leader held in solitary confinement for five months, reportedly confessed to being involved in what was described as activities "to overthrow the system by peaceful means". As of mid June it was reported that up to 20 students were being detained. A number of them were convicted for their participation in the student demonstrations in July 1999. It should be observed that the perpetrators of the raid on the University of Tehran which triggered the student protests have apparently been released, without conviction, after secret hearings because, in the surprising words of the judge, "there were no private plaintiffs involved" (see A/54/365, paras. 16 20 and annex I).
46. In early July student protest rallies on and off the campus of the University of Tehran marked the second anniversary of the 1999 student demonstrations in Tehran and Tabriz. An unconfirmed number of persons was detained in connection with the rally outside the campus.
47. In April 2001, a provincial court in Khorrambad convicted 121 persons, mainly students, but including a deputy governor of the province, of participating in "riots" there in August 2000. The unrest grew out of attacks by hooligans on a national meeting of Iranian students and the blockading of the meeting's invited speakers. As seems to be the pattern in such cases, the
hooligans themselves are not charged, let alone convicted (see E/CN.4/2001/39, paras. 20-22)."

Document(s): 02192iran.pdf
Open document

12.07.2001 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iran students say 85 held") [#2515],  [ID 9432]

Document(s): 01372iran.htm
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09.07.2001 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iran student sentences announced") [#2479],  [ID 9433]

Document(s): 01354iran.htm
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26.06.2001 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iran arrests more student journalists") [#2256],  [ID 9434]

Document(s): 00160irn.htm
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20.05.2001 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iran cleric escapes death sentence") [#1764],  [ID 9435]

Document(s): 00015.htm
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30.07.1999 -

Human Rights Watch: New Arrests And "Disappearances" Of Iranian Students ("30/07/1999 - Human Rights Watch: New Arrests And") [ID 9437]

Document(s): 30/07/1999 - Human Rights Watch: New Arrests And

19.07.1999 -

Human Rights Watch: Identities of Iran Detainees Must Be Public ("19/07/1999 - Human Rights Watch: Identities of Iran Detainees Must Be Public") [ID 9438]

Document(s): 19/07/1999 - Human Rights Watch: Identities of Iran Detainees Must Be Public

13.07.1999 -

Human Rights Watch: Assault on Iranian students ("13/07/1999 - Human Rights Watch: Assault on Iranian students condemned") [ID 9439]

Document(s): 13/07/1999 - Human Rights Watch: Assault on Iranian students condemned