Mortazavi Found Responsible in Kahrizak Tragedy

A special commission of the Iranian Parliament formed to investigate the events of Kahrizak Detention Center submitted its final report on Sunday which was unanimously approved. The Commission made several visits to different police detention centers and conducted various interviews with police authorities, detainees, and judicial authorities prior to compiling the report which was submitted last Wednesday.

IRGC Commander as Larijani’s Adviser: A Threat to Judiciary’s Independence

The appointment of a top IRGC commander with a security background to the position of Adviser to the Judiciary has created concern among human rights activists who believe such action would lead to radicalization of the Judiciary and distortion of its independence.

“Networking is the First Priority For Iranian Human Rights Activists”

Sohrab Razzaghi, civil society activist and researcher reviewed human rights, organizations active in human rights, and required steps for improving human rights in Iran during an interview with Zamaneh Radio. During this interview, he pointed out the positive effects of statements by international human rights organizations which condemn violations of human rights in Iran, and suggests steps Iranian human rights activists could take to improve the current situation.

Authorities Attempt to Crush Remaining Active Human Rights NGOs

(6 January 2009) Islamic Republic authorities are attempting to shut down the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, one of the few human rights organizations still active in the country, and to stop the human rights activities of the student alumni group ADVAR, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. Some members of the groups are being arrested, and others are under intense pressure to halt their work.

“In illegally shutting down independent, domestic human rights reporting, the authorities are attempting to preserve their own impunity before Iranian and international law,” said Campaign spokesperson Hadi Ghaemi.

Widespread Arrests of Women’s Rights Activists, Female Journalists and Relatives

(5 January 2010) Numerous women’s rights campaigners, female journalists and relatives are being arrested and persecuted as authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran attempt to repress masses of Iranians from advocating for their civil rights in recent weeks, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

“It is evident that the authorities are singling out women’s rights activists and arbitrarily arresting them, as well as female journalists, in the context of recent public demonstrations,” stated Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.

Threatening protesting students: “We will confront them strongly.”

Following the post Ashura continuation of student protests in Iranian universities which led to cancellation of examinations at several Tehran universities, Sharif Industrial University’s Student Affairs Vice President has threatened the protesting students with strong confrontation. Vossoughi Vahdat told Fars News Agency: “We will strongly confront whomever wants to cause disruption and disturbance in the way examinations are held.” According to reports, protesting students will hold a gathering at this university which might lead to cancellation of exams.

Government Increases Pressure On the Press

On Monday, January 4, 2010, Mohammad Ali Ramin, Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in charge of Press, told the reporters that, “Newspapers who receive notices or are banned are like corrupt and dirty elements which disturb the media landscape and by banning them, we are trying to soften this disturbed environment.”

Detained Protesters Threatened with Execution

(3 January 2010) In apparently coordinated messages, pro-government clerics have publicly called for detained protesters to be executed, placing intense political pressure on the Islamic Republic’s supposedly-independent judiciary to act as judicial authorities did in the early days of the Revolution, and attempting to intimidate Iranians from demonstrating for their rights, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran stated today.

The ayatollahs were quoted, from speeches during pro-government demonstrations and during Friday Prayers, by Fars News Agency.