Iran Arrests Student Activists Ahead Of Student Day
Iran has increased its pressure on student activists ahead of the national Student Day on December 7. Throughout Iran a dozen students are reported to have been jailed this week, including eight student activists arrested in Tehran on November 19. - 11/20/09
Iran: Continuing Persecution of Student Alumni Group
Iranian authorities have arbitrarily arrested another member of the leading student alumni group ADVAR, and sentenced its spokesperson to an eight-year prison term, while other detained members are being mistreated, unfairly tried and sentenced to jail terms, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. - 11/20/09
Shajarian has not been arrested or subpoenaed: Attorney
On Monday, certain Persian news websites published an interview VOA Persian conducted with attorney Mohammad-Hossein Aghasi, in which he announced that the leading Iranian vocalist had been summoned to a building on Jordan Street in Tehran upon his arrival at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport after his recent European concert tour in September. - 11/19/09
Prison sentences handed to Iranian political detainees
Two student activists, Omid Lavasani and Alireza Aushouri were also handed six-year imprisonment sentences. Mr. Aushouri is a member of Mousavi campaign and Mr. Lavasani, according to his lawyer, was the web designer for MirHosein.com and not an actual member of the presidential candidate's campaign. - 11/19/09
Iran: Police Confirm Threats against Kahrizak Detention Center Physician Who Died Under Suspicious Circumstances
Ramin Pourandarjani was a brilliant medical student with a promising future, until he was found dead in a dormitory at Tehran police headquarters last week. He is now the new cause célèbre of the Iranian Opposition, with MPs and Western organisations demanding an investigation into the death of a man who knew too much. Dr Pourandarjani, 26, attended a school for gifted children, graduated with distinction from the University of Tabriz and was doing his two-year national service at the Kahrizak detention centre in Tehran during the June protests. - 11/18/09
Iranian Death Sentences Seen As Intimidation Move Over Postelection Unrest
Five people have been sentenced to death in Iran in connection with the unrest that shook the Islamic republic following President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's hotly disputed reelection earlier this year. - 11/18/09
Experts See Sustained Human Rights Movement Emerging in Iran
To overcome a legacy of suspicion and mistrust, the United States should inaugurate a process of long-term, patient engagement with Iran on a wide range of issues - including its nuclear and human rights policies - according to a distinguished panel of scholars and diplomats appearing on Capitol Hill November 4. -America.gov - 11/18/09
109 Human Rights Groups Ask United Nations To Condemn Human Rights Violations In Iran
Over one hundred independent human rights and civil society organizations from around the world have urged delegations to the United Nations to support a resolution in the General Assembly condemning human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), and urging the IRI to abide by its international human rights obligations. - 11/17/09
Families of the American Hikers Detained in Iran Express Growing Concern for their Welfare
The families of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal, the three American hikers detained in Iran, said today they are increasingly concerned for their children's emotional wellbeing after nearly 16 weeks in custody and again called on the Iranian authorities to release them. - 11/17/09
Iran: Suspicious Death of the Notorious Kahrizak Detention Center's Physician
Reformist news outlets report that Ramin Pourandarjani, "physician of Iran's Kahrizak detention centre" died last Tuesday. Norooz website reports that the 26-year-old physician died in his room at the medical building of Tehran's Security Forces. Reportedly, officials announced the cause of death to be "heart failure while sleeping." - 11/16/09
The Latest on Imprisoned Iranian Women Activists
Unfortunately, although near five months have passed since the elections ,detainment of prisoners still continues , last month Hangameh Shahidi was released on bail only after months of imprisonment and Vahideh Molavi , Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Somayeh Rashidi who had been arrested on Nov.4th were released on third party guaranty -Feminist School - 11/15/09
Iran police defends its actions against protesters
On November 4, the day Iran's protesters to the alleged fraudulent re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took to the streets once more to voice their demands, police and officials in plain clothes attacked the gatherings with tear gas bombs and batons. - 11/15/09
Iran Opposition Leaders Condemn State Violence
Mir Hosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, the two chief opposition leaders met at the home of Mr. Karroubi to further discuss the political situation of Iran. They condemned government violence against election protesters and especially slammed the excessive violence used against women protesters. - 11/14/09
Iran: Student Activist Abdollah Momeni Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison
Iranian student activist, Abdollah Momeni has been sentenced to 8 years in prison by Iranian judiciary. Fatemeh Adinehvand, the accused's wife told Zamaneh that Mr. Momeni has been sentenced to six years in prison for "participating in post-election gatherings" on top of a two year sentence which he received for earlier charge of "activities against national security." - 11/14/09
Iranian Police Set Up 'Internet Crime' Unit
A top Iranian police official says that a new police unit has been set up to combat what he calls "Internet crime". Analysts, however, are interpreting the move as another step by the government to crack down on the opposition, which uses the Internet heavily to communicate and spread its message. - 11/14/09
Families of Iranian political detainees demand justice
For the third time in recent months, families of political detainees gathered in front of Tehran judiciary buildings to demand justice for their loved ones. "Timely trials and release, access to legal presentation as well as open and official trials" are amongst their demands from the judiciary. - 11/13/09
Iranian Nobel Laureate Ebadi Criticizes Human Rights in Iran
Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi urged the international community Wednesday to throw its support behind a U.N. General Assembly resolution condemning the lack of human rights in her native Iran. Ebadi said she has invited the U.N. Secretary-General to visit Iran and see for himself the deteriorating state of freedoms there. - 11/12/09
Iran: Advar Members Arbitrarily Detained
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) express their profound concern over the arbitrary arrest and detention of peaceful activists in Iran. Both organisations fear that they are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment while in detention. - 11/11/09
Human Rights Watch Urges Iran To Halt Execution Of Kurdish Activist
A court sentenced Fattahian, a Kurdish activist, to death after reportedly closed proceedings in which, according to his lawyer, no evidence was presented that he had engaged in violence. Fattahian has said he was tortured for three months in detention. - 11/11/09
Iran ignores calls to stop Fatahian execution
Head of Kurdistan judiciary AliAkbar Gerousi announced that Ehsan Fatahian was hanged today in the central prison of Sanadaj. Fars news agency reports that the sentence was carried out this morning, on Wednesday in the presence of security and judiciary officials. - 11/11/09
Former Iranian Election Detainee: Mr. Interrogator! Thank you.
Zhila Bani-Yaghoub, Iranian women's activist and journalist was released on August 18 with a one-billion-rial bail after two months in Evin prison. She was arrested on June 20 along with her husband, Bahman Ahmadi Amouyi, economic analyst and journalist. Ms. Bani-Yaghoub's concern for her husband is touchingly documented in her November 5th post on her website - 11/10/09
Iranian Labor Activists Begin Prison Terms
Four leaders of the Syndicate of Workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Company (Syndikaa e Kargaran e Karkhaneh Neyshekar), including Fereydoun Nikoufard, Jalil Ahmadi, Ghorban Alipour and Mohammad Haydari have been summoned by intelligence officials and arrested to begin serving prison terms, and are being held in Dezful prison, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. - 11/10/09
Ayatollah Montazeri: Interrogators Are Guilty and Criminals
In his interview with Rooz, regarding the confessions which have served as the basis for the heavy sentences after the elections, ayatollah Montazeri said: The confessions that have been extracted in prison have absolutely no religious or legal value and cannot be the basis for the death or prison punishments that have been issued. - 11/10/09
Tehran prosecutor warns internet news outlets
Tehran Prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi warned internet news sites that they will be confronted by the law for "publishing lies and subverting public perception." - 11/10/09
Iran: Four Journalists Receive Hellman/Hammett Grants
Iranian authorities have suppressed the work of these writers and journalists, and have targeted them with arbitrary arrests and false charges. Mohammad Sadiq Kaboudvand, one of this year's recipients, has been in prison since his arrest in 2007. The three others who received awards are Asieh Amini, Yusuf Azizi Banitorof, and Arash Sigarchi. - 11/10/09
Iran: Families of political detainees protest prison conditions
According to the letter, the post-election detainees in the general holding cells of Evin prison, especially sections 7 and 8, lack all forms of hygienic provisions and are in dire conditions. Reportedly, 50 political detainees are currently in this section and due to lack of space sleep in the halls of the section. Those who protested the condition were reportedly transferred to solitary confinement last week. - 11/9/09
Iran: Relatives of Victims Unable to Mourn
The families of many of the young people killed in post-election unrest have been unable to mourn properly because the authorities have banned ceremonies for the dead, hampering the grieving process. Some have not had their loved ones' bodies returned or have had to wait weeks, and there have been reports of the authorities burying frozen bodies en masse. -Artemis Danekar - 11/9/09
Iranian-Canadian scholar's commitment to non-violence garners Spanish peace prize
University of Toronto political philosopher Ramin Jahanbegloo is the recipient of the 2009 Peace Prize awarded by the Association for the United Nations in Spain. The award recognizes Jahanbegloo's extensive intellectual work advancing non-violence both as a philosophy and a political strategy, supporting the ideal of universal freedom of thought, and the promotion of dialogue and building bridges between different cultures. - 11/9/09
Human Rights and the Battle for Iran
"It is in the national interest of the United States to press the human rights issue in Iran," said Professor Mehrzad Boroujerdi, of the political science department at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. His comments came as part of the first of two panel discussions at NIAC's Capitol Hill conference -NIAC - 11/9/09
Hossein Derakhshan's Arrest: One Year Later
It's been over a year now since the arrest of Hossein Derakhshan, popularly known as Hoder. Ever since he wrote the first Persian-language blogging guide in November 2001, he has helped pioneer the Iranian blogging community while living in his adopted home of Toronto. -PBS - 11/9/09
Iran authorities confirm location of detained November 4 protesters
Concerns over the transference of detained protesters of November 4 demonstrations to the undesirable detention centre in Varamin was put to rest by Sohrab Soleymani, head of Tehran prisons. Mr. Soleymani told Mehr news agency that "Khoreyn" detention centre is only used for the "general criminals of the area" and there are 40 to 50 female criminals at this site and neither of them was arrested on November 4th. - 11/8/09
Iran: Stop Covering Up Sexual Assaults in Prison
Iran's judiciary should immediately investigate cases of sexual assaults in prison and prosecute those responsible, instead of covering up these crimes, Human Rights Watch said today. - 11/8/09
Iran: Authorities confirm over 100 arrests during November 4 protests
Tehran's Commander of Security Forces announced that 109 people were arrested during November 4 ceremonies. Security and police forces once more confronted peaceful protesters with violence and used batons, tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse them. In addition to Tehran numerous major cities such as Zahedan, Esfahan, Mashad, Tabriz, and Rasht staged similar demonstrations which met with the violent attacks of government forces. - 11/7/09
Iranian Publishers Hit by Government Curbs
Even the Tehran International Book Fair, one of the country's most important cultural events, was not impervious to the election buzz. The fair, which took place about a month before the elections, became a venue for criticism of Ahmadinejad's cultural policies. Renowned writers and publishers complained in interviews about the difficulty of obtaining publishing permits. They said that permission had been revoked for many books that had previously been allowed. -Pedram Fathi, Tehran - 11/7/09
Tehran police clashes with families of detainees
Reports from Tehran tell of clashes between families of yesterday's detainees and security forces in Tehran in front of Vozara detention centre. Radio Zamaneh has been told that over 50 people, all families of the detainees who were arrested yesterday in the Novemeber 4th ceremonies, had gathered since this morning in front of the detention centre to follow up on the situation of their loved ones. - 11/5/09
Iran: Leaders of Advar Tahkim Student Group Arrested
At about 7pm on Tuesday night security agents in Tehran arrested three leadership members of the student alumni opposition group known as Advar Tahkim Vahdat. The three members of the organization's central council, Hassan Assadi Zeidabadi, Mohammad Sadeghi and Ali Malihi were taken to prison on Tuesday night. - 11/5/09
US calls for end to violence in Iran
The international community reacted to clashes between Iranian people and security forces today on the anniversary of the occupation of the US embassy 30 years ago. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "We obviously have seen and are following the reports of this, and hope greatly that violence will not spread," according to Associated Press. - 11/5/09
Iran: Peaceful Demonstrators Faced Disproportionate Use of Force
Security forces and militia used brutal force to disperse thousands of protesters on the streets of Tehran and other cities today, resulting in a number of injuries and arrests, in violation of international standards regarding the proportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrations, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. - 11/5/09
Tension and Hope in the Streets of Tehran
This morning the sun was shining and mountains were covered by white beautiful snow; and the deep sense of tension was strongly at large. From every corner of town, but specially from central parts, people called to say that the spirit of opposition to demand change, to struggle for air of some kind of a civil society in 21st century, was high. -Citizen Journalist, Tehran - 11/4/09
Photos and Vidoes of November 4 Anti-Government Protests in Iran
Despite threats by police and revolutionary guards that any protests will be severely crushed, people today (the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran) took to the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities to continue their post-election protests against the government. Security forces clashed in the capital with opposition supporters. Videos show indiscriminate beating of defenseless protesters and bystanders. - 11/4/09
Opposition Leader Mehdi Karroubi Attacked During Protests In Tehran
During today’s November 4th ceremonies in Tehran, Mehdi Karroubi, disputing candidate of Iran’s presidential elections was target of a direct attack by government forces which injured two of his bodyguards. - 11/4/09
Hunger-Striking Iranian Journalist Released, A Second Remains In Prison
Journalist Fariba Pejoh is still being held in section 209 of the same prison. Her family, who visited her yesterday, said that she had ended her hunger strike, begun on 26 October, because of very serious health problems. One worried family member told Reporters Without Borders, “She is very weak and can no longer bear her prison conditions”. - 11/3/09
Iran's Opposition Leader Mousavi: Prisoners Have Challenged Their Keepers
Opposition leader, MirHosein Mousavi in a visit with the family of Feizollah Arabsorkhi, one of the post-election detainees, claimed the political prisoners have truly “challenged” their keepers. Feizollah Arabsorkhi is one of the prominent members of the reform group, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution and has been in prison for over four months. - 11/3/09
Iran's Economic Daily Sarmayeh banned
Another Iranian newspaper was shut down by the order of Iran’s ministry of culture. ILNA reports that Sarmayeh (Capital) daily has lost its publishing privileges after “repeated violations” of specific media regulations. - 11/2/09
Iran: Some Journalists Freed, Many Still In Prison
Maziar Bahari and Mohammad Ghouchani were released on bail on 17 and 29 October respectively. At least three other journalists are still detained in Evin prison, Tehran, where they are at risk of ill-treatment. They are prisoners of conscience. - 11/2/09
Iran shuts down major economic daily
An Iranian government-run press supervisory body shut down the country's major reformist and economic newspaper, Sarmayeh, ISNA news agency reported on Monday. -AFP - 11/2/09
Iran: Mass Summons of Women Activists to Security Branch of the Revolutionary Courts
In a sweeping move, courts officials have summoned a number of Campaign activists to the Revolutionary Courts. Campaign activists began receiving telephone calls over the past weeks to appear in the third security branch of the Revolutionary Courts. -Change for Equality - 11/2/09
Open Letter to UN Secretary General by Group of Writers, Artists, Journalists, and Academicians about the Situation of Iranian Political Prisoners
Over the past months you have witnessed the Iranian people’s immense and awe-inspiring non-violent demonstrations, rejecting the results of a widely organized fraudulent presidential election. Iranian people expressed their demand for free elections deliberately and peacefully. However, the Islamic Republic responded to their legitimate demand for civil liberty and justice with the bloody attacks committed by its military and paramilitary forces. - 11/1/09
Iran: Sentences issued for 50 political detainees
The first deputy of the judiciary mentioned that Ayatollah Khamenei has announced that questioning the veracity of the elections is a “great crime;” therefore, “those who have proposed the elections were fraudulent and created doubt in the public’s mind have undoubtedly committed a grave crime and naturally will have to answer for the crime they have committed.” - 11/1/09
Iran: Two detained reformist leaders released
Two reformist prisoners Behzad Nabavi and Morteza Alviri were released today in Iran. Mehr news agency, citing an unidentified judiciary official, reported that Mr. Alviri has been released after putting up bail. Reportedly Tehran’s prosecutor’s office was not involved in the release. - 10/31/09
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