Repressed in Iran need SA’s support

As a guest scholar at the University of Cape Town, I have been studying South Africa’s peaceful transition from apartheid rule to a democratic constitution with much curiosity.

My generation grew up in Iran with the daily news of your struggles against apartheid. From far away, we followed how Nelson Mandela led the nation towards reconciliation non-violently. We have loved him for his vision and gained much inspiration.

Today’s Iranian youth, through the window of the internet, still look upon the South African model with much admiration and are eager to learn from it.

A Hunger Strike For Hashem Khastar

A human rights activist told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that on 12 May several members of Mashad teachers’ unions went on a hunger strike to protest the continued detention of a Mashad teacher, Hashem Khastar. While on their hunger strike, the teachers went to Khastar’s home in Mashad on National Teacher’s Day, 12 May, 2010.

Prison Fever, Tranquilizers, and Poor Prison Hygiene: An Interview With Ali Kantoori

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Ali Kantoori, talks about the hygienic and medical conditions of Evin prison. The human rights activist, who was detained for several months in security wards of Evin Prison and Ghezel Hessar Prison, shares his experiences at the two detention centers. Describing a phenomenon called “prison fever,” he told the Campaign that at Ghezel Hessar Prison, inmates had to wait a long time for their turn to be seen by a doctor or transferred to the prison infirmary.

Judicial Authorities Refuse to Explain Travel Ban to Hassan Asadi Zeidabadi

Travel bans for Hassan Asadi Zeidabadi, Human Rights Secretary for Advar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat alumni organization, continue unexplained. In an interview with Advar News, Zeidabadi said: “I planned a trip to Geneva for a short academic training course on organizations that provide oversight to UN international human rights covenants. The travel ban orders were served to me a few hours before my trip.”

Political Dismissal of Another Faculty Member

Rahmatollah Bastani, a 51-year-old professor at Sistan and Baluchistan University was dismissed from his position. Bastani taught theology and Qoranic Studies for 21 years. He was arrested in Qom on 28 March during a funeral ceremony for Ayatollah Montazeri’s wife, and was imprisoned in solitary confinement for nine days. He was released on a $60,000 bail. Parleman News Web site has reported Mr. Bastani’s dismissal.

Islamic Republic of Iran Elected to Commission on the Status of Women

Iran’s election came at a time when many women’s rights activists and their international supporters issued a protest statement addressed to ECOSOC. They called the news of Iran’s candidacy confirmation “shocking,” and asked Council members to oppose Iran’s request and to make Iran’s presence conditional on Iran’s adherence to international covenants of equal rights.