(UPDATE) Women’s Rights Activists Arbitrarily Detained, Preventing New Year Visits

(26 March 2009) Iranian authorities should immediately release a dozen women’s rights activists detained arbitrarily in Tehran today, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said.

Security forces detained 12 members of the One Million Signatures Campaign and Mothers for Peace at a street corner as the group met to make private New Year visits to families of several prisoners of conscience. With the Persian New Year holidays underway, it is customary for families and friends to visit each other.

Hana Abdi

Hana Abdi (21) is an activist in Sanandaj and was arrested on 4 November 2007 by intelligence agents. Abdi was recently ordered to pay a fine of approximately $30,000 instead of serving 7 months in prison.

Ali Nejati

Ali Nejati is a leading union activist of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory Trade Union who was detained at his home on 8 March. Intelligence Ministry agents failed to provide a detention order but continued to search Nejati’s home and confiscate documents related to the trade union. There were no charges filed against him and no official notice given on where he was taken.

Ahmad Ghasaban

On May 3, 2007, security agents arrested Ahmad Ghasaban, editor of the student publication Sahar. He was conditionally released in August 2008 but was again detained on 24 February 2009 after a demonstration at Amir Kabir University.

Hossein Torkhshavand

Hossein Torkshavand, a student activist, was detained on 5 February 2009, at a ceremony to honor Mehdi Bazargan, the first Iranian prime minister after the revolution of 1979. He is reportedly being held in Evin Prison and is under interrogation.

Esmael Salmanpour

Esmael Salmanpour, a student activist, was detained on 5 February 2009, at a ceremony to honor Mehdi Bazargan, the first Iranian prime minister after the revolution of 1979. He is reportedly being held in Evin Prison and is under interrogation.

Kourosh Daneshyar

Kourosh Daneshvar, a student activist, was detained on 5 February 2009, at a ceremony to honor Mehdi Bazargan, the first Iranian prime minister after the revolution of 1979. He is reportedly being held in Evin Prison and is under interrogation.

Nariman Mostafavi

Nariman Mostafavi, a student activist at Amir Kabir University, was detained on 24 February by security agents at his home. He is reportedly being held in Evin prison and is under interrogation.

Mehdi Mashayekhi

Mehdi Mashayekhi, a student activist at Amir Kabir University, was detained on 24 February by security agents at his home. He is reportedly being held in Evin Prison and is under interrogation.

Abbas Hakimzadeh

Abbas Hakimzadeh, a student activist at Amir Kabir University, was detained on 24 February by security agents at his home. He is reportedly being held in Evin Prison and is under interrogation.