03.09.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

4 women's rights activists sentenced to 6 months in jail over articles written on feminist websites, a newspaper reported ("Iran sentences women rights activists to jail") [ID 25139]

Document(s): Open document

15.08.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Kurdish women's rights activist Zeynab Bayzeydi sentenced to 4 years imprisonment, and internal exile ("Further Information on Urgent Action 214/08 (MDE 13/107/2008, 1 August 2008) [MDE 13/116/2008]") [ID 25121]

Document(s): Open document

06.08.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Activist and journalist Yaghoub Mehrnehad executed ("Execution of Mr. Yaghoub Mehrnehad") [ID 25114]

Document(s): Open document

01.08.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Province of Kordestan: Women's rights activist Zeynab Bayzeydi was arrested; she is in danger of torture or other ill-treatment ("Urgent Action 207/08 [MDE 13/107/2008]") [ID 25098]

Document(s): Open document

01.08.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Mahabad: Kurdish human rights activist Saman Rasoulpour was arrested and is in danger of torture; he is a senior member of the Human Rights Organisation of Kurdisan that campaigns for better treatment of Iran's Kurdish minority ("Urgent Action 213/08 [MDE 13/106/2008]") [ID 25105]

Document(s): Open document

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

27.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Mahboubeh Karami is currently held in the women’s section of Evin Prison in Tehran; according to her mother, a member of the Campaign for Equality, about 90 women had been arrested; most of the women had nothing to do with the demonstration in Mellat Park which had been the trigger for the mass arrests ("Further Information on Urgent Action 169/08 (MDE 13/084/2008, 17 June 2008) [MDE 13/089/2008]") [ID 24885]

Document(s): Open document

26.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Political activist Arzhang Davoodi has been prevented from appealing to the Supreme Court against a 15-year sentence handed down as punishment for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression; he has been tortured ("Urgent Action 183/08 [MDE 13/087/2008]") [ID 24884]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Hana Abdi has been sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment for gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security, to be served in exile in West Azerbaijan province; Ronak Safarzadeh is in custody awaiting a further trial session; both women are active members of the Campaign for Equality ("Further Information on Urgent Action 297/07 (MDE 13/130/2007, 07 November 2007) and follow-up (MDE 13/063/2008, 14 April 2008) [MDE 13/085/2008]") [ID 24879]

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

19.06.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Repression of the “One Million Signatures Campaign” ("Steadfast in Protest; Annual Report 2007"), Author: The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders [ID 24848]

"[…] Despite the increasing level of repression by the authorities, civil society nevertheless remained dynamic and the “One Million Signatures Campaign”, a movement calling for equal rights for men and women, continued to gain in popularity.
[…] The organisers of the One Million Signatures Campaign, officially launched in August 2006, continued to be subject to harsh repression. In 2007, the Observatory documented the cases of 44 men and women activists who were prosecuted for their activities on behalf of women’s rights in Iran. It may be recalled that repression against them began in June 2006, when several dozen activists took part in a peaceful gathering on Haft e-Tir Square in Tehran to call for changes in the laws discriminating against women. This peaceful gathering had been violently repressed and several activists arrested then released on bail. In 2007, twelve of the women were sentenced to jail or to lashing. They appealed against these decisions.

It may also be noted that the most severe sentences were handed out to young students with no activist record, probably to discourage young people from joining the movement. Once arrested, activists are detained arbitrarily, charged, and then released on very high bail, until their trial. Bail may be as much as 250,000 Euros, a sum that in principle is applied for the most serious crimes. Such amounts are in themselves a form of repression and intimidation.

Four activists of the Campaign were still behind bars at the end of 2007: Ms. Ronak Safarzadeh and Ms. Hanna Abdi, also members of the Azarmehr association in favour of Kurdistan women’s’ rights, and Ms. Maryam Hosseinkhah and Ms. Jelveh Javaheri. These activists have been the targets of an intimidation and defamation campaign in pro-Government media. [...]"

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

02.06.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

According to his lawyer, a court sentenced male activist for female rights to one year in prison (" Iran jails man campaigning for women's rights-lawyer") [ID 24714]

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: Amnesty International

In 2007, after serving a suspended sentence, Emaddedin Baghi, head of the Association for the Defence of Prisoners, was given a 3-year prison sentence for his work against the death penalty and unfair trails; he has appealed against the judgement; after attending a human rights workshop in Dubai, his wife and daughter were given 3-year suspended prison sentences ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23402]

"Emaddedin Baghi, Head of the Association for the Defence of Prisoners and a leading campaigner against the death penalty, was detained in October following a summons relating to accusations of “endangering national security”. While the family was posting bail, they were told that he now had to serve a suspended sentence imposed in 2003, including for “printing lies”. Another three-year prison term imposed on him in July 2007 for “propaganda in favour of opponents”, arising from his work on behalf of Iranian Ahwazi Arabs sentenced to death after unfair trials, was pending appeal.

His wife, Fatemeh Kamali Ahmad Sarahi, and daughter, Maryam Baghi, were given three-year suspended prison sentences in October for “meeting and colluding with the aim of disrupting national security” after attending a human rights workshop in Dubai in 2004. In December he suffered a seizure while in custody."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Activists working with the Campaign for Equality, which aims to collect a million signatures in Iran calling for an end to legalized discrimination against women, are facing harassment and arrest ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23404]

"Activists working with the Campaign for Equality, which aims to collect a million signatures in Iran calling for an end to legalized discrimination against women, faced harassment and arrest.

Nasim Sarabandi and Fatemeh Dehdashti were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, for “acting against national security through the spread of propaganda against the system”. They were the first people to be tried and sentenced for collecting signatures.

At the end of the year, four campaign activists remained in detention without charge or trial – Ronak Safarzadeh and Hana Abdi, Kurdish women who were detained in Sanandaj in October and November respectively; and Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri, who were detained in Tehran in connection with their work editing the campaign’s website. The authorities persistently filtered the website, making access difficult."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Women's rights defender Delaram Ali, arrested after a peaceful demonstration in 2006, had her 30-month prison sentence temporally postponed following local and international protests; other women activists also detained and charged in connection with the 2006 demonstration ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23405]

"Women’s rights defender Delaram Ali, who had been arrested in June 2006 following a peaceful demonstration demanding greater respect for women’s rights, had her 30-month prison sentence temporarily postponed following local and international campaigning. In March, 33 women activists were arrested outside Tehran’s Revolutionary Court during a protest against the trial of five women charged in connection with the June 2006 demonstration. All were released, but some faced trial."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Saleh Kamrani, lawyer and human rights defender, was detained in Evin Prison between August and December 2007 ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23409]

"Prisoner of conscience Saleh Kamrani, a lawyer and human rights defender, was detained in Evin Prison between August and December. In September 2006 he had been sentenced to a year in prison – suspended for five years – for “spreading propaganda against the system”. It was unclear whether his arrest was connected to this sentence."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Ya'qub Mehrnehad, head of the NGO "Voice of Justice Young People's Society", was detained in April 2007; he remained in prison until the end of the year without access to a lawyer ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23410]

"Ya’qub Mehrnehad, head of the Voice of Justice Young People’s Society, a recognized NGO, was detained in April in Zahedan, initially by the Ministry of Intelligence, following a meeting in the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance that the Governor of Zahedan reportedly attended. He remained in Zahedan Prison at the end of the year, without access to a lawyer. He may have been tortured."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Editor and human rights activist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, detained in July 2007, although he was not formally charged; he is allegedly suffering poor prison conditions and ill-treatment ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23482]

"Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, head of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK) and editor of the banned weekly newspaper Payam-e Mardom, was detained in July apparently for “acting against national security”, “propaganda against the system” and “co-operating with groups opposed to the system”, although he was not formally charged.

He complained of poor prison conditions and ill-treatment, including denial of access to the toilet, which was apparently intended to force other leading HROK members to turn themselves in to security officials for questioning."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Khadijeh Moghaddam was freed after the necessary court documents had been signed. She is an activist of the “Campaign for Equality”, which aims to collect one million signatures for a petition demanding an end to legal discrimination against women in Iran and is a member of the organisations “Mother’s Committee” and “Mothers for Peace” ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 24617]

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

26.05.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

According to a moderate newspaper, a male supporter of the “One Million Signatures” petition has been sentenced to a year in prison; the campaign wants to improve women’s rights in Iran; several other feminist activists were also arrested ("Iran jails male backer of feminism petition: report") [ID 24704]

Document(s): Open document

23.04.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Nashrin Afzali, Nahid Jafari and Zeynab Peyghambarzadeh, activists of the One Million Signatures Petition Campaign, receive prison sentences and lashes for “acting against national security” ("Sentencing of Ms. Nashrin Afzali, Ms. Nahid Jafari and Ms. Zeynab Peyghambarzadeh [IRN 005 / 0408 / OBS 064]") [ID 24614]

Document(s): Open document

23.04.2008 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

A revolutionary court sentenced 3 women's rights activists to suspended sentences of lashings and six months in prison for charges that include acting against national security ("Women's Rights Activists Get Suspended Lashing Sentences") [ID 24615]

Document(s): Open document

22.04.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

According to a fellow activist, 3 Iranian women's rights campaigners have received suspended lashing and jail sentences for taking part in a rally promoting women's rights; suspended means that the sentences will only be carried out if they are found guilty of another crime within 2 years ("Iran women activists get suspended lashing sentences") [ID 24612]

Document(s): Open document

14.04.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Women's rights activist Ronak Safarzadeh's trial began in a session her lawyer attended; she is accused of being mohareb (at enmity with God), which can be punished with death penalty ("Further Information on UA 297/07 (MDE 13/130/2007, 7 November 2007) [MDE 13/063/2008]") [ID 24603]

Document(s): Open document

14.04.2008 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Authorities this month have added several more names to the list of political activists, human rights campaigners, and journalists who have been imprisoned for voicing dissent ("Arrests, Jailings Of Political And Rights Activists Continue") [ID 24604]

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

The Iranian government arrests, convicts and executes persons on questionable criminal charges, when their actual "offences" were political ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22873]

"No accurate estimates were available regarding the number of citizens imprisoned for their political beliefs. In 2003 the UN Special Representative for the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion estimated the number to be in the hundreds. Although there were few details, the government reportedly arrested, convicted, and executed persons on questionable criminal charges, including drug trafficking, when their actual "offenses" were political. The government charged members of religious minorities with crimes such as "confronting the regime" and apostasy and conducted trials in these cases in the same manner as threats to national security.

Political prisoners occasionally were given suspended sentences or released for short or extended furloughs prior to completion of their sentences but could be ordered back to prison at any time. These suspended sentences were often used to silence and intimidate individuals. The government also controlled political activists by holding a file in the courts that could be opened at any time and and attempted to intimidate them by calling them in repeatedly for questioning. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Several political activists arrested in 2007 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22874]

"On August 18, security forces again detained Azeri human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani and did not inform his family of his whereabouts until August 21. At year's end, there was no information about any charges brought against him, and he remained detained in Evin Prison. Authorities previously arrested Kamrani in June 2006 and sentenced him to one year's imprisonment for "propaganda against the system." The sentence was suspended for five years, and he was released in September 2006.

On September 9, security forces arrested political activist Abbas Khorsandi at his home in Firuzkuh, Tehran province and detained him in Evin Prison. He was previously imprisoned in 2005. No known charges have been filed.

Also on September 9, one female and four male activists were arrested. No known charges have been filed and it was unknown where they were being held.

On September 12, officials from the Special Court for the Clergy reportedly arrested Hadi Qabel, a reformist cleric and member of the reformist political group Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), at his home. According to a September AI report, the location of his detention remained unknown. More than 580 activists and academics reportedly released a statement calling for Qabel's release, which according to press descriptions, called Qabel's and other arrests an attempt by the government to create a "suffocating environment" in advance of the 2008 Majles elections. On October 29, authorities released Qabel on bail.

On October 14, security forces arrested human rights lawyer Emadoldin Baghi, head of the Society for the Defense of Prisoner's Rights. Baghi's wife and daughter were also reportedly sentenced on similar charges to three years in prison, suspended for five years. Previously on July 31, authorities sentenced Baghi to three years in prison, according to his lawyer. Authorities charged him with "propaganda against the system" and "assembly and collusion with the aim of committing offenses against the country's national security," his lawyer stated, adding that the charges were based on media interviews Baghi gave about executions in Ahvaz. At year's end, Baghi's health deteriorated after suffering a heart attack. Authorities temporarily treated him at a hospital before returning him to prison.

On November 8, security forces detained Ali Nikunesbati, spokesman for the student group Office for Consolidating Unity. The government did not inform his family of the charges. In July authorities previously arrested and released him on bail for his role in student protests. At year's end he remained detained.

In July 2006 authorities rearrested student activist Ahmad Batebi, who had been released from prison for medical treatment in 2005. Batebi was involved in the 1999 Tehran student protest, and his photo was published in several international news outlets. Subsequently, authorities sentenced Batebi 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 consequently suffered from health problems. At year's end, Batebi remained imprisoned in Evin Prison.

In October 2006 police arrested dissident cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Kazemeini Boroujerdi at his home, reportedly after he had come under increased pressure from the government to separate religion and politics. According to press reports, more than 70 of his supporters were arrested in September and October 2006. Boroujerdi has reportedly been arrested and imprisoned several times since 1992 and has claimed that he was tortured and threatened with execution. According to AI, all but two of his arrested followers have been released from prison. At year's end Boroujerdi remained in Evin Prison, where he is reportedly in ill health and may not have access to medical care.

In June 2006 security officials arrested Azeri activist Abbas Lisani following a protest demonstration and charged him with "holding rallies against the state system." According to AI, in September 2006 Lisani was sentenced to sixteen months in prison and 50 lashes. According to a press report quoting Lisani's wife, he was transferred from Ardabil prison to a prison in Tabriz to serve the remainder of his sentence. At year's end, he remained in prison."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Iranian government continues to prohibit or forcibly disperse peaceful demonstrations ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23024]

"The constitution permits assemblies and marches, "provided they do not violate the principles of Islam;" however, in practice the government restricted freedom of assembly and closely monitored gatherings to prevent antigovernment protests. Such gatherings included public entertainment and lectures, student meetings and protests, labor protests, women's gatherings and protests, funeral processions, and Friday prayer gatherings.

Paramilitary organizations such as the Ansar-e Hizballah, a group of vigilantes who seek to enforce their vision of appropriate revolutionary comportment upon society, harassed, beat, and intimidated those who demonstrated publicly for reform. They particularly targeted university students. [...]

[...] On March 4 [2007], days before International Women's Day on March 8, police arrested more than 30 women demonstrating outside a Tehran courthouse, protesting the trials of five women's rights activists charged for peacefully demonstrating in June 2006. All were later released but continued to face harassment by the authorities at year's end. [...]

[...] Some participants arrested during the 2006 International Women's Day commemoration remained in prison at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

During 2007 government continues to restrict the work of local human rights groups; pressure on domestic NGOs and even shut downs ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23197]

"The government continued to restrict the work of local human rights groups. The government denied the universality of human rights and stated that human rights issues should be viewed in the context of a country's "culture and beliefs." [...]

Domestic NGOs worked in areas such as health and population, women's rights, development, youth, environmental protection, human rights, and sustainable development. Some reports estimated that a few thousand local NGOs operated during the year. However, in 2005 a more restrictive environment accompanied the new presidential administration, including pressure on domestic NGOs not to accept foreign grants. In March the revolutionary court reportedly shut down the offices of three prominent civil society and women's rights NGOs, the Iran Civil Society Organizations Training and Research Center, the Raahi Legal Center, and the NGOs Training Center.

During the year activists affiliated with the organizations, Sohrab Razzaghi, Shadi Sadr, and Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh were detained and faced charges related to their NGO activities. Two Iranian-American scholars were jailed because of their work for foreign NGOs. [...]

The ICRC and the UNHCR both operated in the country with some restrictions. In June 2006 the government allowed the UNSR on Adequate Housing to visit."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Azerbaijani rights activist Reza Daghestani was arrested at his family’s house in Oroumiye; his house was searched and his computer, CDs, papers and books were confiscated, along with printouts of his newsletters; he is in danger of torture ("Urgent Action 58/08 [MDE 13/040/2008]") [ID 23778]

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Wave of harassment of women involved in the One Million Signatures campaign; on 19 February 2008, Ehteran Shadfar was sentenced to 6 months suspended imprisonment for endangering national security; on 25 February 2008, Parvin Ardalan was prevented from boarding a plane to Stockholm where she should receive a human rights award ("Sentencing of Ms. Ehteram Shadfar / Obstacles to Ms. Parvin Ardalan's freedom of movement [IRN 002 / 0308 / OBS 030]") [ID 24414]

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Two members of the One Million Signatures Petition Campaign, Ms. Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Ms. Nasim Khosravi, were released on 26 February 2008 on a bail of approximately 11.000 USD each ("Release on bail of Ms. Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Ms. Nasim Khosravi [IRN 001 / 0208 / OBS 021.1]") [ID 24415]

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2008 - Source: International Federation for Human Rights

2 women rights activists, Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Nasim Khosravi, released on bail ("Release on bail of Ms. Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Ms. Nasim Khosravi [IRN 001 / 0208 / OBS 021.1]") [ID 24417]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Shadi Sadr, a journalist, lawyer and women’s rights defender, is facing possible imprisonment for defending women on trial; she spent over two weeks in detention, some in solitary confinement, before being released on bail ("Women's rights defenders defy repression. Case sheet: Noushin Ahmadi Khorassani [MDE 13/024/2008]") [ID 23614]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Noushin Ahmadi Khorassani, a journalist and women’s rights defender, is facing imprisonment for her part in organising a demonstration; in April 2007, she was convicted of acting against national security and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment ("Women's rights defenders defy repression. Case sheet: Noushin Ahmadi Khorassani [MDE 13/024/2008]") [ID 23615]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Prisoner of conscience Ronak Safarzadeh, an Iranian Kurd, has been detained in Sanandaj since 9 October 2007; she is an active member of the Campaign for Equality and of the NGO Azar Mehr Women’s Organization of Sanandaj ("Women's rights defenders defy repression. Case sheet: Ronak Safarzadeh [MDE 13/027/2008]") [ID 23617]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Maryam Hosseinkhah, a journalist and women’s rights defender, was detained in Evin Prison, Tehran; she was released on bail and accused in connection with articles posted on websites ("Women's rights defenders defy repression. Case sheet: Maryam Hosseinkhah [MDE 13/029/2008]") [ID 23618]

Document(s): Open document

27.02.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

HRW calls on judiciary to revoke death sentence against Kurdish teacher Farzad Kamangar; Kamangar was active in number of civil society organisations ("Kurdish Teacher Tortured, Sentenced to Death") [ID 23612]

Document(s): Open document

20.02.2008 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Women's rights activists Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Nasim Khosravi arbitrarily arrested ("Arbitrary arrest of Ms. Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Ms. Nasim Khosravi [IRN 001 / 0208 / OBS 021]") [ID 23608]

Document(s): Open document

17.02.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

Police detain 2 women's rights campaigners and accuse them of spreading propaganda against Islamic state, fellow activist says ("Iran detains two women rights campaigners: activist"), Author: Reuters [ID 23604]

Document(s): Open document

12.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Baluchistan: Cultural and civil rights activist Ya’qub Mehrnehad was sentenced to death for an unknown offence, after an unfair trial conducted behind closed doors; he has allegedly been tortured ("Urgent Action 38/08 [MDE 13/038/2008]") [ID 23602]

Document(s): Open document

07.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Azerbaijani cultural and linguistic rights activist Jelil Ghanilou faces torture and interrogation; he has neither been charged nor given access to legal representation; 7 other activists released ("Further Information on Urgent Action 61/07 (MDE 13/027/2007, 09 March 2007) and follow-up (MDE 13/067/2007, 7 June 2007) [MDE 13/035/2008]") [ID 23598]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Situation of Human Rights activists in 2007 ("World Report 2008") [ID 22516]

"In 2007 the authorities intensified their harassment of independent human rights defenders and lawyers in an attempt to prevent them from publicizing and pursuing human rights violations.

In July Branch Six of Iran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced human rights activist Emad Baghi, as well as his wife and daughter, to suspended sentences of three years for their work in documenting and publicizing human rights violations. In October court authorities arrested Baghi after he responded to a summons to appear before an interrogator, and at this writing he remains in detention.

The government closed nongovernmental organizations that encourage civil society participation and raise awareness of human rights violations. In March authorities raided and closed the offices of the Civil Society Organizations Training and Research Center, and closed the offices of Rahi Institution, a nongovernmental organization providing legal and social aid to women victims of violence."

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Authorities intensified their harassment of independent human rights defenders and lawyers and closed several offices of human rights organisations in 2007 ("World Report 2008") [ID 23558]

"In 2007 the authorities intensified their harassment of independent human rights defenders and lawyers in an attempt to prevent them from publicizing and pursuing human rights violations.

In July Branch Six of Iran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced human rights activist Emad Baghi, as well as his wife and daughter, to suspended sentences of three years for their work in documenting and publicizing human rights violations. In October court authorities arrested Baghi after he responded to a summons to appear before an interrogator, and at this writing he remains in detention. The government closed nongovernmental organizations that encourage civil society participation and raise awareness of human rights violations.

In March authorities raided and closed the offices of the Civil Society Organizations Training and Research Center, and closed the offices of Rahi Institution, a nongovernmental organization providing legal and social aid to women victims of violence."

Document(s): Open document

21.01.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and women’s rights defender, Jelveh Javaheri, was released from Evin prison ; she was reportedly accused of “disturbing public opinion”, “propaganda against the system” and “publication of lies” in connection with articles posted on the Internet ("Further information on Urgent Action 321/07 (MDE 13/140/2007, 3 December 2007) [MDE 13/014/2008]") [ID 23594]

Document(s): Open document

04.01.2008 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Two prominent women's right activists released from prison on bail; Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri, Iranian Internet journalists, were arrested in November and December 2007 on charges related to their writings and activities; they are members of a movement that promotes equal rights for women ("Two Women's Rights Activists Released From Prison") [ID 22161]

Document(s): Open document

01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report on the government's use of security laws as a pretext to detain civil rights activists without charge (women's movement, union and labour activists, students and independent journalists) ("“You Can Detain Anyone for Anything” - Iran’s Broadening Clampdown on Independent Activism") [ID 22165]

"Article 32 of Iran’s constitution requires that “charges with the reasons for accusation must, without delay, be communicated and explained to the accused in writing, and a provisional dossier must be forwarded to the competent judicial authorities within a maximum of 24 hours.” Article 24 of the Code of Criminal Procedure also sets 24 hours as the limit within which authorities must provide a detainee with a written reason “in cases where the detainee must be kept in detention in order for authorities to continue their investigations.”

Ordinarily, Iranian law requires a judge to authorize any pretrial detention and provide written charges within 24 hours of any arrest. Article 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure states that a judge may issue temporary detention orders for cases involving offenses under the Security Laws, allowing authorities to hold detainees without charge beyond the 24-hour period. Article 33 of the code gives the accused the right to appeal his or her detention order within 10 days. While Article 33 also states that the detainee’s case must be resolved in the course of one month, it also allows the judge to renew the temporary detention order. The codes set no limits on how many times this order may be renewed.

Police and judiciary security forces often hold people under investigation for suspected violation of the Security Laws, in pretrial investigative detention, for weeks and months without any criminal charge being brought against them and without the opportunity to appear before a judge to challenge their detention.

Detainees who are released without having been charged often fear being rearrested as a form of harassment. Several of the former detainees Human Rights Watch interviewed for this report claimed that this process is a tactic the government uses to create an atmosphere wherein activists fear that they may be re-arrested at any time. According to these activists, the government deliberately maintains open cases to intimidate its critics."

Document(s): Report
Press Release

17.12.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

HRW calls on government to drop politically motivated charges against two women's rights activists facing trial this week because of their participation in peaceful protest; authorities should release Jelveh Javahari and Maryam Hosseinkhah without delay ("Iran: Release Women's Rights Activists Immediately") [ID 22143]

Document(s): Open document

16.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Two women's rights activists charged with taking part in "terrorist" actions and belonging to militant Kurdish separatist group, investigating judge says ("Two Iranian feminists charged with terrorism: judge"), Author: AFP [ID 22147]

Document(s): Open document

05.12.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Women activists rally against discriminatory laws; since start of campaign, 40 activists have been prosecuted ("Women Rejecting The 'Little Miseries'") [ID 22134]

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Jelveh Javaheri, journalist and women’s rights defender, arrested on 1 December 2007 at branch of Revolutionary Court; she is accused in connection with articles posted on the Internet ("Urgent Action 321/07 [MDE 13/140/2007]") [ID 21822]

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Jelveh Javaheri, journalist and women’s rights defender, arrested on 1 December 2007 at branch of Revolutionary Court; she is accused in connection with articles posted on the Internet ("Urgent Action 321/07 [MDE 13/140/2007]") [ID 22080]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Women rights defender Hana Abdi held in incommunicado detention ("Incommunicado detention of Ms. Hana Abdi, women human rights defender") [ID 21823]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Women rights defender Hana Abdi held in incommunicado detention ("Incommunicado detention of Ms. Hana Abdi, women human rights defender") [ID 22079]

Document(s): Open document

27.11.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

The President of the Volunteer Actors Institute (Koneshgaran Davtalab) Razzaghi was released on bail on 22 November 2007 ("Release on bail of Mr. Sohrab Razzaghi [IRN 010 / 1107 / OBS 138.1]") [ID 21828]

Document(s): Open document

27.11.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

The President of the Volunteer Actors Institute (Koneshgaran Davtalab) Razzaghi was released on bail on 22 November 2007 ("Release on bail of Mr. Sohrab Razzaghi [IRN 010 / 1107 / OBS 138.1]") [ID 22075]

Document(s): Open document

19.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Authorities in Iran have detained a women's rights activist after accusing her of undermining national security; pressure has increased recently on women's rights activists and human rights groups ("Women's Rights Activist And Journalist Jailed In Tehran") [ID 22058]

Document(s): Open document

19.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and women’s rights defender, Maryam Hosseinkhah, arrested; accused of "disturbing public opinion","propaganda against the system" and "publication of lies" ("Urgent Action 312/07 [MDE 13/137/2007]") [ID 22059]

Document(s): Open document

16.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Sohrab Razzaghi, the Director of Iranian Civil Society Organisations Training and Research Centre (ICTRC), was arrested on 24 October 2007; since his arrest he was not allowed to meet his family or lawyer; in March 2007, Iranian security forces closed the offices of the ICTRC, froze its bank accounts and confiscated computer equipment and documents ("Amnesty International urges immediate and unconditional release of Sohrab Razzaghi [MDE 13/135/2007]") [ID 22056]

Document(s): Open document

11.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Lawyer for women's rights activist Delaram Ali, arrested at a demonstration in 2006, says, her sentence was temporarily suspended ("Iran 'Temporarily Suspends' Women’s Activist's Sentence") [ID 21729]

Document(s): Open document

10.11.2007 - Source: BBC News

Human rights groups say an Iranian activist jailed for her part in a women's rights protest should be freed; the activist was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and flogging ("Iran 'must free' woman activist") [ID 21728]

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

07.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Sanandaj: 2 women's rights activists detained; they are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment; both women are active members of the Campaign for Equality, which is seeking an end to legalised discrimination against women ("Urgent Action 297/07 [MDE 13/130/2007]") [ID 21733]

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Confirmation of the sentence against Ms. Delaram Ali, a women’s rights activist involved in a petition campaign; she was sentenced to 10 lashes and two years and 6 months imprisonment for “participation in an illegal gathering”, “propaganda against the system”, and “disturbing public order ("Confirmation of the sentence against Ms. Delaram Ali, women human rights defender [IRN 004 / 0707 / OBS 073.1]") [ID 21734]

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Arbitrary detention of Sohrab Razzaghi, President of Koneshgaran Davtalab (Volunteer Actors Institute), an NGO supporting the development of the civil society in Iran ("Arbitrary detention of Mr. Sohrab Razzaghi [IRN 010 / 1107 / OBS 138]") [ID 21735]

Document(s): Open document

25.10.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Tehran: The head of a nongovernmental group active in promoting democracy has been detained ("Civil Society Activist Detained In Iran") [ID 21813]

Document(s): Open document

13.07.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

AI is greatly concerned by continuing human rights violations in Iran, including new arrests of human rights defenders and high rate of executions, including first execution by stoning confirmed by authorities since moratorium on stonings was announced in 2002 ("Violations of human rights continue unabated [MDE 13/085/2007]") [ID 21610]

Document(s): Open document

05.07.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Ms. Delaram Ali, a women's rights activist, has been convicted by a court to 10 lashes and 2 years and 10 months imprisonment on the grounds of "participation in an illegal gathering", "propaganda against the system" and "disturbing public order" ("Sentencing of Ms. Delaram Ali, a women's rights activist [IRN 004 / 0707 / OBS 073]") [ID 21587]

Document(s): Open document

04.07.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Iranian Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is detained in unknown place, possibly Section 209 of Evin Prison; he was arrested on 1 July 2007 in Tehran by plain-clothed security officers; he may be at risk of torture ("Urgent Action 171/07 [MDE 13/081/2007]") [ID 21440]

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

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Saleh Kamrani, an Azeri human rights lawyer detained without a charge; later charged with "propaganda" ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19538]

"On June 14, human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani, a member of the country's Azeri ethnic minority, was detained without charge and taken into government custody (see section 1.e). Charged with "propaganda against the system," according to AI, he was tried on September 13 and sentenced to one year's imprisonment. The sentence was suspended for five years, and he was released on September 18."

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

Azeri human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani was taken to Evin prison for 3 months and held without charge ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20030]

"On June 14, the government detained Azeri-Iranian human rights lawyer Saleh Kamrani without charge. Kamrani reportedly defended several individuals, including ethnic Azeri activist Abbas Lisani, who were arrested during the May demonstrations in the ethnic-Azeri majority region of the Northwest (see section 1.a.). Kamrani's family received no information on his whereabouts for several days but later learned that he was detained in Evin Prison. Kamrani was released from Evin on September 18, according to AI."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Center for the Defense of Human Rights, a NGO which represents defendants in political cases, was banned on 3 August 2006 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21067]

"Lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, is a founder of the Center for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), which represents defendants in political cases. On August 3, the government banned CDHR, claiming it had not obtained a proper permit, declared its activities were illegal, and stated that those who continued its activities would be prosecuted.

Ebadi noted that according to the constitution, "nongovernmental organizations that obey the law and do not disrupt public order do not need a permit." At year's end CDHR was still reportedly banned."

Document(s): Open document

28.11.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Family of imprisoned human rights defender and possible prisoner of conscience, Reza Abbasi, reportedly harassed by the Zenjan office of the Ministry of Intelligence ("Further Information on Urgent Action 246/06 (MDE 13/101/2006, 12 September 2006) [MDE 13/128/2006]") [ID 17859]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

A Kurdish women's right activist and 2 Kurdish journalists arrested, later released on bail; they face charges that can carry the death penalty ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18828]

"[...] Dr Roya Toloui, a women’s rights activist, and two journalists, Ajlal Qavami and Sa’id Sa’edi, were among the Kurds arrested in August [2005]. All were released on bail in October and were reported to be facing political charges that can carry the death penalty."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Human rights defender Abdolfattah Soltani accused of espionage and remained in detention without access to his lawyer ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18884]

"The registration process for independent non-governmental organizations remained a barrier to their effective operation, and individual human rights defenders remained at risk of reprisal for their work.

In July, Abdolfattah Soltani, a lawyer and co-founder of the Centre for Defenders of Human Rights, was detained. He was reportedly accused of releasing “secret and classified national intelligence” in connection with his work defending an espionage case. He remained in detention at the end of the year with limited access to his family and no access to his lawyer."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Mohammad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, a human rights activist and newspaper editor, sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment and a fine for "insulting the country’s leader and making anti-government propaganda" ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18900]

"Mohammad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, a student campaigner for human rights and a newspaper editor, was sentenced in January to six months’ imprisonment and a fine for “insulting the country’s leader and making anti-government propaganda”. He was released in August. His pregnant wife, Najameh Oumidparvar, was detained in March for 24 days after posting a message on her weblog that her husband apparently wrote before his arrest."

Document(s): Open document

10.03.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Security forces used excessive force to disperse about 1,000 women gathering peacefully to commemorate International Women’s Day; scores of women reportedly beaten ("Iran: Amnesty International condemns violence against women demonstrators in Iran [MDE 13/024/2006]") [#46290],  [ID 9450]

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Demonstrator arrested while demonstrating for the release of political prisoners ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18652]

"Bina Darabzand, held at Rajai'i Shahr prison, was arrested June 2004 while demonstrating at the UN building in Tehran for the release of political prisons. He was imprisoned, and at year's end he reportedly had medical problems."

Document(s): Open document

13.09.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist, who recently ended 2-month hunger strike and is in very poor health, reportedly sent back from hospital to Evin prison to serve remainder of his 6-year sentence; he was not granted regular access to his family and confidential meetings with his lawyer ("Iran - Further Information on UA 164/05") [#36519],  [ID 9451]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

06.09.2005 - Source: International Federation for Human Rights

Teheran: Prominent journalist Akbar Ganji, who has been imprisoned for more than 5 years, and released in order to be hospitalised, was taken back to Evin prison ("Arbitrary detention") [#36825],  [ID 9452]

Document(s): Open document

23.08.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Imprisoned journalist ended his hunger strike which he began on 11 June in protest at being denied access to medical care for chronic asthma; he is at risk of being returned to Evin prison when he leaves hospital, to serve remainder of his 6-year sentence ("Iran - Further Information on UA 164/05") [#35912],  [ID 9453]

Document(s): Open document

22.08.2005 - Source: BBC News

Dissident journalist Akbar Ganji ended his hunger strike which he began in June in protest at his imprisonment ("Iranian dissident calls off fast") [#35723],  [ID 9454]

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Kurdistan: At least 17 people killed and hundreds injured when security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting killing of young Kurdish man; in addition, government forces arrested hundreds of people, including several leading human rights defenders and journalists ("Security Forces Kill Kurdish Protestors") [#35270],  [ID 9455]

Document(s): Open document

09.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi urges dissident Akbar Ganji to end 58-day hunger strike ("Iranian Nobel Laureate Urges Dissident To End Hunger Strike") [#35064],  [ID 9456]

Document(s): Open document

04.08.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist on 55th day of hunger strike to protest his detention, at serious risk of death; another prisoner, who started hunger strike on 6 July in protest at authorities' refusal to grant him leave from prison to receive medical treatment, fell into coma on July 24 ("Hunger strikers at serious risk of death") [#35005],  [ID 9457]

Document(s): Open document

03.08.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Teheran: Prominent lawyer arrested by authorities for “revealing secrets relating to the case of nuclear spies.”; Nobel laureate was also threatened ("Iran: Harassment of Rights Defenders Escalates") [#35019],  [ID 9458]

Document(s): Open document

18.07.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Teheran: Journalist Akbar Ganji reportedly hospitalised during his more than month-long hunger strike; there are concerns for his safety ("CPJ concerned about health of jailed Iranian writer") [#34333],  [ID 9459]

Document(s): Open document

14.07.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Concerns for health of investigative journalist, who has been on hunger strike for 33 days in protest at being denied access to medical care for chronic asthma; Teheran: several demonstrators, calling for release of political prisoners, beaten and arrested by police ("Iran - Further Information on UA 164/05") [#34017],  [ID 9460]

Document(s): Open document

13.07.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Concerns for health of imprisoned leading dissident who suffers from acute asthma; authorities repeatedly prevented him from receiving specialist medical care or taking medical leave; in protest of his unfair treatment he began hunger strike last month ("Leading Dissident’s Life in Danger") [#33989],  [ID 9461]

Document(s): Open document

25.05.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Human rights defenders ("Annual Report 2005") [#32306],  [ID 9462]

"[...]The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to human rights defender Shirin Ebadi in 2003 contributed to the growth and increasing self-confidence of civil society. Nevertheless, independent non-governmental organizations were hampered by a registration process that was open to undue influence. Human rights defenders also faced limitations on their movements.
Defenders of women’s rights protested against discrimination against women in the justice system and in some criminal cases secured last-minute suspensions of executions or pardons.
In July, the Society for Defence of the Rights of Prisoners was granted permission to operate. The organization aimed to inform prisoners and their families of their rights and to provide material support to detainees, through training and education. However, members of the Society’s Board faced politically motivated criminal charges. For example, Emaddedin Baqi was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment by an appeals court in October on charges of spreading anti-state propaganda. Earlier in the month his passport had been confiscated as he prepared to leave the country to address a number of human rights conferences in North America.
Journalists and human rights defenders Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh and Omid Me’mariyan were arrested for a period of several weeks each on 28 and 10 October respectively, possibly in connection with their Internet writings and the support they had given to independent non-governmental organizations. Tens of other civil society activists faced harassment though summons and interrogation. Those detained had “confessed” while in custody although later reported to a governmental commission that these were extracted under duress. [...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document

03.03.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Sanandaj: human rights defenders working on children and women's rights are facing threats and harassment in connection with their human rights work ("Threats against Kurdish human rights defenders must stop") [#29675],  [ID 9295]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Political dissidents ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 9463]

"[...]Exiles and human rights monitors alleged that many of those supposedly executed for criminal offenses in the past, such as narcotics trafficking, actually were political dissidents. Supporters of outlawed political groups, or in the case of the Mujahedin-e Khalq, a terrorist organization, were believed to constitute a number of those executed each year. [...]
The Government announced that approximately 4,000 persons--both protesters and vigilantes--were arrested in connection with pro-reform protests in June 2003. As of December, approximately 130 still were detained. [...]
The President stated on April 28 that, "absolutely, we do have political prisoners and people who are in prison for their beliefs." No accurate estimates were available regarding the number of citizens imprisoned for their political beliefs. In November 2003, the UNSR for the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion estimated the number to be in the hundreds. The Government has arrested, convicted, and sentenced persons on questionable criminal charges, including drug trafficking, when their actual "offenses" were political. The Government has charged members of religious minorities with crimes such as "confronting the regime" and apostasy, and conducted trials in these cases in the same manner as threats to national security. [...]

In March 2002, after a trial behind closed doors but with his lawyer present, Nasser Zarafshan, the attorney representing the families of the victims of the 1998 extrajudicial killings of dissidents by intelligence ministry officials, was sentenced to 5 years in prison (2 years for disseminating state secrets and 3 years for the possession of firearms) and 70 lashes for the possession of alcohol. He was charged with leaking confidential information pertaining to the trial. HRW reported that he was also charged with "having weapons and alcohol at his law firm." Zarafshan was originally arrested in 2000 but released after a month pending trial. An appeals court upheld his conviction in July 2002; he was arrested and taken to Evin Prison in August 2002. In November 2003, the Supreme Court reportedly dismissed his appeal. According to the NGO PenCanada, in September, a group of prisoners in collusion with prison authorities reportedly attempted to kill Zarafshan. Opposition websites reported that Zarafshan participated in a July hunger strike to protest mistreatment of prisoners' families by government officials. Reportedly, since September 2003, prison authorities have given Zarafshan only one leave of 48 hours.

Several other human rights lawyers also reportedly were abused, among them Mohammad Dadkhah, who participated in the defense of members of the Iran Freedom Movement and is a founding member of the Iranian Center for Protection of Human Rights, and Abdol Fattah Soltani, who was reportedly charged for raising accusations of torture during the 2002 defense of a number of political prisoners. In 2002, Dadkhah was sentenced to 5 months in jail and banned from practicing law for 10 years; however, in November, he remained free and was practicing law. However, in October, the Government refused to issue him a passport. In 2002, Soltani was sentenced to 4 months in prison and barred from practicing law for 5 years. At year's end, he was not in jail but still precluded from practicing law. The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention included among its recommendations the need for guaranteeing the immunity of counsel in pleading cases as an essential element of the right to due process. [...]

Former Deputy Prime Minister, Abbas Amir-Entezam, was re-imprisoned in April 2003, after his release in 2002 for medical reasons. A longtime political dissident, Amir-Entezam has spent much of the past 24 years in prison. He reportedly was incarcerated for calling for a referendum on whether the country should remain under clerical rule (see Section 1.c.). During the year, he was freed on medical leave due to the Government's inability to treat his medical conditions in prison. As of December, he was receiving medical treatment at his home recovering from back surgery, and his medical leave was extended until early January 2005. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

16.01.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

An Iranian Revolutionary Court order threatening the arrest of Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi places all human rights defenders in Iran at risk ("Iran: Nobel Winner in Danger of Arrest") [#28258],  [ID 9464]

Document(s): Open document