Head of Iranian Judiciary Demands More Restrictions on Press

In his speech at a gathering of high level judiciary authorities on Sunday, Sadegh Larijani said: “How can some people who are connected to certain political factions publish news and disseminate lies and divisive analysis under fake names and enjoy safety from which they create doubt in society and propagate division among regime authorities?”

Ambiguities in the Case of Three Americans: No Meetings, No Trial, and No Phone Calls

Massoud Shafiee, attorney to the three Americans who were detained six months ago after they drifted into Iranian territory, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that his efforts for accessing his clients have been unsuccessful and authorities in charge of the case refuse to address his requests. Shafiee said that he told the Prosecutor’s Office authorities, “These three individuals have been unable to contact their families for the past six months. All suspects in detention are allowed to contact their families occasionally to at least relieve their concerns for their health. These individuals’ families are seriously concerned about them and they have no idea what is happening to them in prison.”

Problems, Fears, and Hopes of Iranian Asylum Seekers in Turkey (Part III)

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The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran recently sat down with an Iranian refugee who spent 18 months in Turkey waiting for asylum. This refugee, who was working as a journalist in Iran, talks about issues surrounding seeking asylum in Turkey, financial difficulties related to renting a residence, language barriers, and interacting with local communities.

Pressure on Student Leaders for Confessions and Dissolution of Daftar-e-Tahkim-e-Vahdat

While four members of the central committee overseeing the nationwide student organization, Daftar-e-Tahkim-e-Vahdat (The Office for Strengthening Unity), continue to remain in prison, several of their members and close associates told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that security authorities have increased pressure on these students over the past few days to resign from their activities within the organization. Members of the central committee have been told to announce the organization “dissolved. One of these sources told the Campaign: “They have been told that Daftar-e-Tahkim-e-Vahdat is an illegal organization and hence they are not authorized to organize any congregations or to issue political statements.

Problems, Fears, and Hopes of Iranian Asylum Seekers in Turkey (Part II)

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Continuing our interview with Iranian asylum seekers who have left Iran over the past few months, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran talks to a long time journalist who has been waiting in Turkey for the past 4 months to receive asylum. He talks about different issues affecting the lives of the individuals who are going through their transition in Turkey.

No Information About Detained Women’s Rights Activist

(21 January 2010) Iranian judicial and prison authorities have refused to release any information about charges against women’s rights activist Somayeh Rashidi (24), who was arrested on 19 December 2009, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today.

During the past two months, over a thousand people have been detained through the use of a blanket detention order, which is effectively a license for security and intelligence agents to arrest anyone at will. Hundreds of these detainees, similar to Somayeh Rashidi, have disappeared into Iranian prisons without any information available to their families or lawyers.

Arrest of Another Journalist, Lili Farhadpour

Lili Farhadpour, a journalist, was one of those arrested following post-Ashura mass detentions of political and social activists and journalists. According to various sources, Farhadpour was arrested by security forces on Thursday morning, 21 January at her home. Farhadpour is one of the journalists who was active in cultural and social issues. She is also the mother of Behrang Tonekaboni, Editor-in-Chief of Fahang va Ahang (Culture and Music) publication, who was previously arrested on 6 January 2010. Lili Farhadpour’s efforts to gain information about her son over the past two weeks had proven fruitless.

Death Sentence Issued for Female Kurdish Political Prisoner

(21 January 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed serious concern regarding the increasing number of death sentences issued for Kurdish political prisoners following unfair trails.

According to Kurdish human rights organizations, at least 20 political prisoners have been condemned to death. During the past few weeks, two Kurdish political prisoners, Ehsan Fattahian and Fasih Yasamini were executed, and there are credible fears of imminent executions of other political prisoners on death row.

A Month After Her Arrest, Ambiguity Surrounds Somayeh Rashidi’s Case

Authorities refuse to provide any information pertaining to the case of women’s rights activist Somayeh Rashidi’s. Over the past few days, her temporary detention orders have been extended and she continues to remain in solitary confinement.

Release Imprisoned Cleric, End Persecution of Family

(20 January 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called for the immediate release of Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Khalaji, who was arrested on 12 January at his home in Qum, and reportedly taken to Evin prison on 19 January and placed in solitary confinement. Members of Ayatollah Khalaji’s family have been searched and threatened with punishment by authorities if they protest against his arrest.

“For what legal reason was Ayatollah Khalaji arrested?” asked Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.