Ebadi Calls on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Act

(31 October 2010) The Iranian Judiciary should end its systematic targeting of human rights defenders and lawyers who are being sentenced to lengthy prison terms solely for their human rights work and defending their clients, Shirin Ebadi said today in a joint statement with the Iranian League for Defense of Human Rights (LDDHI) and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

On Saturday, 30 October, Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced prominent lawyer Mohammad Seifzadeh to nine years in prison and a ten year ban from practicing law. Seifzadeh is charged with “acting against national security” by “establishing the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC).”

Human Rights Crisis Requires International Scrutiny

Joint Statement by Human Rights Groups

(28 October 2010) In the light of the severity of the human rights situation in Iran, the Iranian authorities’ refusal to cooperate with existing international human rights mechanisms, and their rejection of many specific recommendations from member states under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, Democracy Coalition Project, Human Rights Watch, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and the International Federation for Human Rights and its affiliate, the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights, call on the United Nations General Assembly to…

“People Shouldn’t Die for Their Beliefs” Says Wife of Death Row Prisoner

The wife of Mohammad Ali Saremi, a prisoner of conscience on death row, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that she is asking for help from international human rights organizations to save her husband’s life, as he has committed no crime other than being a Mojahedin-e Khalgh (MEK) sympathizer. She emphasized that though her husband has been told about his death sentence several times, he has not seen the ruling in writing yet.

“It is Safe for Sarah Shourd to Return to Iran,” Says Lawyer

On Tuesday, Tehran’s Prosecutor addressed the upcoming trial of the three American hikers, one of whom was released last month, saying that if Sarah Shourd does not return to Iran for her trial, her $500,000 bail would be confiscated. Massoud Shafiee, lawyer for the three Americans, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that as far as he is concerned, their only charge is “illegal entry,” and the Iranian authorities carry the burden of proof in this case. According to Shafiee, there is no evidence in the three prisoners’ file regarding allegations of espionage.

“Proud of Hand Amputations,” Says Top Judiciary Official

Despite widespread objections by international organizations and human rights activists, Iran’s First Deputy to the Head of the Judiciary, Seyed Ebrahim Raeisi, said today that the amputation of a thief’s hand was “based on the law and divine punishment,” and that this action is “a source of pride for us.”

Weekly Rights Podcast 15

In this week’s ‘Weekly Rights Podcast’: executions at Mashad’s Vakilabad Prison clouded in secrecy, ten executions took place as recently as October 12 and whistleblowers like Ahmad Ghabel have been targeted by authorities; after Ahmadinejad claims Iran is the freest country in the world at the UN, his government cracks down on opposition websites blocking former President Khatami’s website for the first time; human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh remains in detention and 900 activists have signed a letter calling for her release; new updates on journalist Issa Saharkhiz’s case against Nokia Siemens in US Court; student Hamed Rouhinejad in poor health while serving a 10 year prison term; Iran’s intelligence minister reiterates government stance against American hikers; major European oil companies stop selling oil to Iran’s national airline; and this week’s Pick of the Week is Reporters Without Borders condemning Iran’s persecution of bloggers.

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Veteran Political Prisoner Demands Trial of Supreme Leader

In a letter written from prison, political prisoner Heshmatollah Tabarzadi asked international courts to review his grievance against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyed Ali Khamenei. From Rajaee Shahr Prison, Tabarzadi called on Iranian lawyers, most of whom are currently in prison, free on bail, or have fled Iran, to make his suit against Iran’s Supreme Leader heard by international courts.

Prominent American Civil Rights Lawyer Calls for Release of Imprisoned Iranian Lawyers

A prominent civil rights lawyer in the United States has written a letter addressing human rights abuses carried out by the government against attorneys in Iran dedicated to upholding human rights. The letter, written by Michael H. Sussman, comes at a time when prominent human rights lawyers, including Nasrin Sotoudeh who has been imprisoned since 4 September and is reportedly on hunger strike, are being detained wantonly by authorities. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi and prominent international organizations have called for the of release Sotoudeh citing the deeply flawed judicial system in Iran that targets its own lawyers.

Multiple Reports of Secret Group Executions in Vakilabad Prison

(25 October 2010) Iran’s judiciary should immediately institute a moratorium on all executions at Vakilabad Prison in Mashad and provide a transparent response to allegations of excessive numbers of executions at the facility, said the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today.

The Campaign continues to receive credible reports from former Vakilabad prisoners about repeated, unannounced group executions of inmates. Reliable sources indicate that numerous executions have taken place inside Vakilabad over the last year and more than 600 inmates remain on death row.

High School Student and Blogger in Solitary Confinement for over 30 Days

Blogger and high school student Navid Mohebbi’s remains in solitary confinement thirty-five days after his arrest pending clarification of his case, a local source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Mohebbi’s charges have not yet been determined by Mazandaran Province judicial authorities. His family and lawyer, Mina Jafari, have not been able to visit with him.