Another Step Toward Limiting Iran’s Civil Society: Iranian Police to “Organize” Activities of NGOs

Mohammad Reza Alipour, Deputy Commander of the Tehran Police said that the police intend to organize nongovernmental organizations in a “centralized” way, a signal to activists that creating new impediments for Iran ’s civil society is entering a new stage. In introduction ceremonies for his new position as second in command in Tehran’s Police Force on April 24, 2010, Alipour said: “The police’s concern is that there is insufficient supervision over citizen organizations and in some of them there is administrative chaos…There is no oversight for issuing licenses for these organizations.”

Shabnam Madadzadeh’s Critical Condition in Evin Prison

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Behrouz Alavi, a student activist and member of the Islamic Association at Tarbiat Moallem University, described the condition of Shabnam Madadzadeh as critical and said: “Unfortunately, Shabnam is not in good physical condition. Two weeks ago she suffered several episodes of unconsciousness and was transferred to the Evin [prison] infirmary wrapped in a blanket.” Over the past several weeks there have been reports about the deteriorating health of Madadzadeh, the former Deputy Chair of Tehran’s Tahkim-e Vahdat student organization, and the lack of medical attention given to her.

Poor Conditions of Dr. Ali Akbar Soroush in Prison: Sari Intelligence Office’s Unprecedented Pressure and Interrogation

Student sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that 40 days after the arrest of Dr. Ali Akbar Soroush, a Mazandaran University professor and head of Participation Front’s Mazandaran Branch, he remains at Sari’s Intelligence Ministry detention center under immense pressure and continued interrogation.

Three American Hikers in Evin–Depression, Sickness, and Hunger Strikes

Last Thursday, members of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran met with the three young American hikers arrested last July on Iran’s western border. The meeting was their third in the past ten months. During this meeting, Swiss diplomats representing US interests in Iran had long discussions with the American detainees.

Human Rights Community Prevails in Forcing Withdrawal of Iran’s Candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council

(24 April 2010) The withdrawal of Iran’s candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, which was vociferously opposed by Iranian civil society leaders and human rights community, is a victory for Iranian citizens whose human rights would very likely have suffered had Iran’s repressive and brutal policies been legitimized, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

The Iranian government’s decision to withdraw was announced to the Asian group of delegates in Geneva today.

“Does Iran Deserve to be on the UN Human Rights Council?”

(23 April 2010) Prominent Iranian human rights defenders and other members of civil society are calling on United Nations member states to soundly reject the Iranian government’s bid to become a member of the Human Rights Council.

Despite Iran’s chronic neglect of international human rights, and deterioration marked by widespread atrocities during the past year, the Iranian government has filed its candidacy for membership at the UN’s Human Rights Council. The elections for Council members will take place at the General Assembly on 13 May 2010, in New York.

In a vigorous campaign, Iranian activists are urging a wholesome rejection of Iran’s candidacy, calling it an affront not only to Iranian victims of human rights violations, but to the global human rights system and community.

Coalition of Rights Groups Letter Opposing Iran on the Human Rights Council

Your Excellency, We are a diverse group of nongovernmental organizations from all parts of the world, working in the field of human rights.  We write in opposition to the candidacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, and urge your government not to vote for Iran [...]

Letter of Iranian Activists to General Assembly Members Opposing Iran’s Human Rights Council Candidacy

To read letter in Persian click here 20 April 2010 Your Excellencies, The candidacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council, an international body that has been established  after decades of efforts by the human rights community to uphold and protect human rights internationally, is a matter [...]

Letter of Shirin Ebadi to UN General Assembly Members

To read letter in Persian click here Open Letter to Members of the UN General Assembly By Dr Shirin Ebadi, Human Rights Advocate and 2003 Nobel Laureate 20 April 2010 Since the UN General Assembly must adopt a decision on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s bid for membership in the UN Human Rights Council, and [...]

Two Student Activists Start Their Prison Terms in Babol

Student activists told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that Northern Iran security and judicial organizations continue their increasing pressure on activists. According to their report, last Tuesday morning, Nima Nahvi, a student at Noshirvani Industrial University in Babol and Hossein Jalil Nataj, a student at Babol Medical Sciences University, turned themselves in to serve their prison sentences at Mati Kolai prison in Babol.