Release Emadeddin Baghi and All Arbitrarily Arrested

(29 December 2009) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called for the immediate and unconditional release of leading human rights defender Emadeddin Baghi, who was among numerous journalists and reformists detained on 28 December along with over 1,000 others, in the wake of violent crackdowns on Ashura protests. Also detained was the sister of Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, Dr. Nooshin Ebadi.

Baghi, one of the top human rights defenders in Iran who has received numerous international recognitions including the Martin Ennals Award in 2009, suffers from heart and nerve conditions that have been severely aggravated by his previous incarcerations following convictions for his writings and human rights advocacy.

Protesters Resist Violence by Militia and Security Forces

(27 December 2009) Widespread protests began early in numerous Iranian cities today, and have resulted in the death of at least four civilians in Tehran, including the nephew of Mir-Hossein Moussavi, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported.

The website of the reformist faction in the Parliament, www.parlemannews.ir, reported that the 35 year old nephew of Moussavi, the opposition leader, was killed. Seyd Ali Moussavi died from a gun-shot to his heart at noon in Enqelab Square in Tehran, the website said.

Hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in Tehran and other major cities, including Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Qom.

End Violence Against Mourners

(23 December 2009) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran denounced attacks on followers and admirers of the late Grand Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri today, as police used tear gas and pepper spray on protesters in Isfahan. While the authorities have banned all memorial services for Ayatollah Montazeri, the Campaign called on the Islamic Republic of Iran not to infringe upon the right of Iranians to gather and express their grief about his death.

“The authorities should not infringe on the rights of Iranian citizens to mourn for Ayatollah Montazeri, or anyone else,” stated Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.

Concerns of Widespread Arrests in Wake of Ayatollah Montazeri’s Death

(20 December 2009) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called on the Iranian government not to interfere with mourning ceremonies following the passing away of the Grand Ayatollah Montazeri in Qom and to end persecution and detention of his followers. The Campaign is seriously concerned that the government might target Grand Ayatollah Montazeri’s followers through a wave of detentions.

Ahmad Ghabel, a prominent student of Ayatollah Montazeri and a government critic, was arrested en route today as he was driving with his family from the Northeastern city of Mashhad towards Qom to attend the mourning ceremonies.

No Evidence of Espionage in Tajbakhsh’s File, Lawyer Says

(14 December 2009) The case against the Iranian-American social scientist Kian Tajbakhsh contains no evidence to support the allegations against him, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, following interviews with Masoud Shafie, Tajbakhsh’s lawyer.

Tajbakhsh has been sentenced to a 15-year prison term for alleged espionage and actions against national security by a lower court and is currently in the appeals stage. The case has also been substantially invalidated by gross breaches of Iranian law and international standards for due process.

Rights Groups Appeal to Judiciary to Stop Persecution

(10 December 2009) The Asia Pacific Forum today, along with other Asian human rights organizations from India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Japan, sent an appeal to the Head of Iran’s Judiciary, Ayatollah Amoli Larijani, expressing concern over the persecution of members of the Iranian student alumni group ADVAR, many of whom have been arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted and sentenced in recent months because of their views.

The groups, all of whom are members of the Asian NGOs Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), asked that the Judiciary review the cases in which the internationally protested rights of ADVAR members had been violated.

As Student Protests Continue, State Foments Civil Strife

(9 December 2009) As Iranian students vow to continue protests, Iranian authorities are stoking the flames of civil strife by pitting pro-government Basiji militiamen against students who are demanding reform, a policy that could ignite into a wider conflict, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. The Campaign is also deeply concerned that over 130 students who are still detained following demonstrations may be ill-treated and tortured in prison.

“The authorities of the Islamic Republic are inflicting violence upon students and other citizens by instrumentalizing young Basiji militia, who are in effect child soldiers,” stated Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the Campaign.

Student Demonstrations on National Student Day

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Protests Engulf University Campuses

(7 December 2009) Massive Iranian security and paramilitary forces are tear-gassing, beating, and arresting students on university campuses taking part in National Student Day demonstrations, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. The crack-down is taking place as authorities have forbidden international journalists from observing the events, and shut down internet and mobile-telephone communications, in an apparent attempt to suppress the flow of information and to thwart coordination of the protests. Leaders of the reform movement have been prevented from joining protesters.

“Whether or not information is passed to the international community, the Iranian people will know that their fundamental rights, and their traditions, are being desecrated,” stated Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.

“Mourning Mothers” Arrested at Protest in Tehran

(5 December 2009) Security forces arrested fifteen women belonging to the Committee of Mourning Mothers in Tehran today, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported.

Mourning Mothers is formed by women whose children were killed during post-election protests and their supporters. Members of the group include the mothers of Neda Agha-Soltan and Sohrab Aarabi. They have been staging weekly protests at Laleh Park in Tehran, demanding accountability and prosecution of those responsible for murdering their children.