UN human rights chief concerned by Iranian crackdown on human rights defenders

GENEVA – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Tuesday expressed renewed concern for the fate of human rights defenders in Iran, particularly Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh who was on hunger strike for several weeks in Tehran’s Evin Prison.

“As we approach international Human Rights Day* on 10 December, the world will be focusing on situations where human rights activists are not free to organize or speak out,” the High Commissioner said. “I am very concerned that Nasrin Sotoudeh’s case is part of a much broader crackdown, and that the situation of human rights defenders in Iran is growing more and more difficult,” she added.

UN Resolution on Iran’s Human Rights Violations Approved by Huge Margin

(18 November 2010) The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly’s strong approval of a draft resolution, condemning Iran for grave human right violations, is a welcome step in the continuing effort to put a stoplight on the country’s growing human rights crisis, said the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today.

The General Assembly will formally adopt the resolution in December. UN human rights bodies should put in place mechanisms to hold Iran accountable for its rights abuses and toward implementing the resolution, the Campaign added.

The resolution was passed with 80 votes in favor, 44 against, and 57 abstentions. During the proceedings, Iran’s highest human rights official, Mohammad Javad Larijani, who has traveled to New York to lobby against the resolution, filed a No Action Motion (NAM), a procedural move attempting to prevent the vote from taking place. But Iran’s maneuver failed glaringly with a vote of 91 against, 51 in favor, and 32 abstentions.

Kouhyar Goudarzi’s Mother Calls Award Encouragement to All Mothers of Political Prisoners

Kouhyar Goudarzi was recently honored with the John Auchobon Award for press freedom at the National Press Club. In a message read at the ceremony his mother, Parvin Mokhtare, said that bestowing the award on her son is a “great honor” for her and “an encouragement for all mothers of Iranian political prisoners.” In her message, the complete text of which is below, Mokhtare dedicated the award to the “green and great nation of Iran, to Argentinian mothers, Palestinian mothers, patient mothers of Iran, especially the mothers of Neda Agha Soltan, Sohrab Arabi, Mohsen Rooholamini, Kianoush Asa, and all mothers of imprisoned, but free-spirited, political prisoners of Iran.” Related links, including a video of the award ceremony follow the letter.

Philipine National at Vakilabad Prison Appeals for Help

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has received a letter from a man who identifies himself as Ernie Guienoo Tamonde, a citizen of the Philippines. Tamonde wrote that he is being held inside a prison in Mashad on drug charges but professes his innocence.

Six Followers of Imprisoned Cleric Arrested

Five days ago, the homes of supporters of dissident and imprisoned cleric Seyed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi were attacked and six people arrested. No information about their whereabouts or fate is known. A source close to Boroujerdi told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that on the afternoon of Monday, 8 November 2010, security forces went to the homes of several of his supporters. Forces stormed and searched the homes, destroying furniture, and taking away personal documents, cash, precious objects, computers, and laptops belonging to the individuals and their families. According to the source, the search and confiscation of personal belongings of the arrested individuals was undertaken unlawfully. The individuals were: Dr. Roya Eraqhi, Forough Hematyar, Maryam Azimi, Tayebeh Hosseini, Narges Ghaffarzadeh; and Mr. Mohammad Reza Sadeghi.

Five Lawyers Arrested, Only Three Identified

In recent days five lawyers have been arrested in Tehran. Only three of the arrested lawyers have been identified so far. Maryam Kian Ersi, Sara Sabbaghian, and Maryam Karbasi were arrested at Imam Khomeini International Airport upon their return from a trip to Turkey on Wednesday, 10 November.

Issa Saharkhiz Remains in Prison Despite Medical Leave Authorization

Mehdi Saharkhiz, son of Issa Saharkhiz, journalist and former National Press Director of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran about his father’s dire physical condition. “My father is in serious need of medical care. His doctor determined that he is unable to tolerate his prison punishment, and prescribed that he must be moved [somewhere] outside the prison. The cardiologist’s letter has been delivered to the Prosecutor but still, nothing has been done for transferring him out of prison,” he said.

Sotoudeh Ends Hunger Strike Following Trial Session

Nasrin Sotoudeh’s first trial was held today at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Pir-Abbasi. A source knowledgeable about Sotoudeh’s prosecution told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that, “She was very weak and has lost a lot of weight. After the trial, she took the advice of her lawyers and husband and agreed to break her hunger strike.”

Weekly Rights Podcast 18

In this week’s ‘Weekly Rights Podcast’: the Campaign continues its interview series from the human rights conference at University of Maryland with women’s rights activist Mahnaz Afkhami and independent scholar and human rights activist Soheila Vahdati.

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Family Members Describe Nasrin Sotoudeh’s Dire Physical Condition While on Hunger Strike

After visiting his wife Nasrin Sotoudeh for the first on Thursday, Reza Khandan described her as unimaginably thin. Khandan said Sotoudeh ended her dry hunger strike on Tuesday and is only drinking water now. According to Khandan, Sotoudeh found out that the judge in charge of her case will not be present at the start of her trial on 15 November, requiring her court date to be postponed.