Two More Baseless Death Sentences Rubber Stamped by Appeals Court

(30 April 2010) The hasty and secretive confirmation of execution sentences for post-election protestors by Iranian appeals courts is a flagrant violation of international standards of due process and justice, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

Nasim Ghanavi, a lawyer in Tehran, told the Campaign that an appeals court in Tehran upheld a death sentence for her client Jafar Kazemi and another protestor Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaee.

Eftekhar Barzegarian’s Trial on May 2nd

Student sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the trial court of Eftekhar Barzegarian, a student activist at Mashad’s Ferdowsi University will be held on 2 May, 2010, with Judge Kavoosi presiding. According to a source close to Barzegarian, he will be tried on charges of “participation in illegal congregations,” while he has not participated in any of the post-elections protest gatherings. The source added that Barzegarian’s interrogators and judicial authorities have not produced any evidence in support of his participation in the gatherings, and that he was illegally imprisoned at Mashad’s Vakil Abad Prison for eight months.

Clampdown on Teachers and Labor Activists

(30 April 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today urged Iranian authorities to respect the rights of trade union activists and teachers to participate in International Workers Day (1 May) and National Teachers Day (2 May) observations, and expressed deep concern about recent arrests of members of teachers groups in an apparent attempt to intimidate others from demonstrating.

In February 2010, in the course of a review of its human rights record under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review process, Iran agreed to respect the social and economic rights of its citizens and their right to freedom of expression as recommended by Brazil, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Vietnam, and Kuwait.

Post-Election Prisoner Tells Campaign: “My Entire Trial Took Only Three Minutes”

A political prisoner, released and tried in the past few months, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that even though he served four months in prison, was interrogated for over 300 hours, and has a case file containing some 400 pages of documents, his entire trial lasted only three minutes.

Shiva Nazar Ahari’s Mother: “My Daughter Has Denied the Charges Against Her”

Shiva Nazar Ahari, a human rights activist and member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, has spent more than 120 days in prison. She was arrested for the second time in one year on 20 December 2009. Previously, she spent 102 days in prison, 33 in solitary confinement, and was released on $200,000 bail on 23 September 2009.

Letter by Women’s Rights Activists to Members of the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council

27 April 2010 Your Excellencies, The news of the Iranian government’s candidacy for membership in ECOSOC’s Commission on Status of Women (CSW) has disturbed women’s rights activists worldwide. According to the available information, ECOSOC members will vote on Iran’s candidacy for a vacant seat from the Asia region on 28 and 29 April. We, a [...]

End Politically Motivated Executions

(26 April 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed serious concern today regarding the issuance of death sentences for post-election protestors in Iran.

The Campaign released a short video aimed at raising international awareness about such politically motivated executions, which can be viewed here.

So far, at least eleven protestors have been sentenced to death by the Iranian Judiciary following unfair trials and insufficient evidence justifying any punishment, let alone executions.

End the Executions

Ali Motahari, Iranian Conservative MP: Iran’s Judiciary Lacks Independence

Over the past few months, several lawyers who represent political prisoners have expressed concern over the Iranian Judiciary’s lack of impartiality, as well as the widespread influence of Ministry of Intelligence and IRGC’s Intelligence Unit in the Judiciary’s decision-making processes. In an interview with ISNA News Agency, conservative Iranian MP, Ali Mottahari said yesterday that the Judiciary does not have sufficient independence and that “this is a sign of weakness and lack of courage in carrying out justice.”

Majid Tavakoli: Four Months in Detention Without Access to Lawyer or Visit With Family

Four months after being arrested, Majid Tavakoli, an Amir Kabir University student and member of the Islamic Student Association, continues to be deprived of access to his lawyers. Three months after receiving a sentence of eight years and six months’ imprisonment, five years’ deprivation of education, and a five year ban on traveling abroad by Judge Salavati, Head of Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Courts, he continues to be illegally denied access to his lawyers and the right to telephone calls, access to books and newspapers, or visitation rights with his family on orders from judicial authorities. He was transferred to Ward 7 of Evin prison on 20 April 2010, after serving 125 days in solitary confinement.