State Medical Examiner’s Report on the Sexual Assault of Ebrahim Mehtari in Prison

Eyewitness: Abtahi’s Attackers Had Guns And Walkie Talkies

Former Deputy President of Iran, Seyed Mohammad Ali Abtahi, was attacked by plainclothes forces yesterday as he left a memorial service in Shahr-e-Rey, 9 miles outside Tehran. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has received reliable reports from witnesses who confirmed that the attackers had walkie-talkies and guns. Though Abtahi has not given more details of the attack, information received by the Campaign indicates that the attack was pre-planned by an official paramilitary organization and the intent was to frighten and intimidate Abtahi.

Draconian Prison Sentences Doled Out for Activists

(20 May 2010) The continuing sentencing of activists to long prison terms by the Iranian Judiciary, in politically-motivated trials and based on unfounded charges, should be immediately halted and all the rulings should be reviewed by an independent and impartial committee, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

Bahareh Hedayat and Milad Asadi, both distinguished student activists, were sentenced to prison terms of nine-and-a-half and seven years, respectively, by Judge Moghisseh. The Campaign demanded an investigation of their trials and the suspension of presiding Judge Moghisseh.

Shirin Ebadi: Deterioration of Judiciary and the Need for UN Rapporteurs

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi called on the UN to send special rapporteurs to Iran to review cases of arbitrary arrest and torture before more executions take place.

Iran Faculty Dismissals Seen as Result of New Policy

Iran’s government has begun to remove academics who oppose the authoritarian regime of President Mahmoud Ahmedinijad, according to human-rights activists in the country. Activists say that the dismissal this month of two electrical engineering professors at the Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran is consistent with a recent edict by the Iranian science minister to fire faculty members who do not share “the regime’s direction.”

Detained Film Director, Jafar Panahi, on Hunger Strike

Prominent Iranian film director, Jafar Panahi, has gone on a hunger strike since Sunday, 16 May 2010, to protest abuse and ill-treatment as well as continuous threats against his family members.

During a telephone call to his family today, Panahi told them he is on a hunger strike and read a letter to them which he wished released to the Iranian media.

Five Year Prison Terms For Mohammad Davari and Mehdi Mahmoudian

Mohammad Davari, member of the Teachers’ Association and Editor-in-Chief of Saham News’ website, and Mehdi Mahmoudian, member of the Participation Front Party, have each been sentenced to five years in prison. Kalame News announced that the sentences were issued directly to the defendants in absence of their lawyers. The report stated that Davari and Mahmoudian have both objected to their sentences and are appealing the decision.

Continued Detention of Amir Hossein Kazemi at Evin Prison

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has been informed of Amir Hossein Kazemi’s continued detention two months after his arrest. Kazemi is a member of the Iran Freedom Movement Party in Karaj and was arrested with dozens of other Freedom Movement members in March. Kazemi’s “temporary detention” has exceeded the 60 day limit by ten days without a formal extension or clarification of his whereabouts or charges. Authorities have prevented his release and a trial date has not been set.

Judge Said Issuance of Death Sentence Forced Under Pressure From Higher Authorities

Jafar Kazemi’s death sentence has been upheld. His wife, Roudabeh Akbari, has written an open letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations advising him that force is being used on her husband in an attempt to pressure him into making confessions–and that Kazemi’s punishment is disproportionate to his charges. The letter, which has been shared with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, also states that authorities are refusing to allow his family to visit him in prison.

Academics Worldwide Deplore the Latest Round of Political Executions in Iran

Following the secret execution of five political prisoners on 9 May 2010, a worldwide movement of academics is urging an end to executions. The petition, signed by hundreds of academics worldwide, can be viewed and endorsed at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopexexcutionsiniran/