Another New Year Spent in Exile Prison for Ailing Student

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Hamed Rouhinejad’s father, Mohammad Rouhinejad, spoke about his son’s multiple sclerosis and lack of access to prison furlough after two years. “I had an in-person visit with him on 22 March. His health is as before. His illness has not worsened nor improved. He is in stable condition because he has been receiving his shots. But he was devoid of energy and joy. I mean, basically there is no passion and excitement about the [Iranian] New Year inside the prison. They don’t allow us to give holiday gifts to our prisoners. I mean, taking any merchandise inside the prison has always been forbidden,” Mohammad Rouhinejad said.

Imprisoned and Exiled Student Activist Transferred Back to Prison

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, “starred student” Zia Nabavi’s, told the Campaign that his son has been transferred back to Karoon Prison in Ahvaz. “My son has been returned to Karoon Prizon. I talked to him on the phone today. He was well,” Seyed Ali Akbar Nabavi told the Campaign.

No Furlough Allowed for Journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi

Mohammad Sharif, a lawyer who represents many political prisoners and is one of the founders of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran about his client Ahmad Zeidabadi’s case. “Since his sentence was upheld [by the appeals court] there have been no new developments in his case. The latest development was that I tried to get approval for his furlough leave [for the Iranian New Year, Nowruz], which, unfortunately, was not granted. So, he is now in Rajaee Shahr Prison and is serving his sentence term along with other political prisoners,” Sharif told the Campaign.

Political Prisoners and Prisoners of Conscience Deprived New Year Furlough

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Fatameh Kamali Ahmadsaraei, wife of Emadedin Baghi, imprisoned journalist and founder of the Society to Defend Prisoners, said that Tehran’s Prosecutor did not allow Baghi furlough for Nowruz (Persian New Year). Baghi is currently serving his seven year sentence at Evin Prison.

Banned Iranian Students at Human Rights Session in Geneva

Mostafa Khosravi and Nariman Mostafavi, two students who have been banned from continuing their education in Iran, are now continuing their studies abroad. Both were among the student activists who challenged the narrative of Iran’s official delegation and pro-government NGO delegations during the course of the Human Rights Council Session in Geneva. The two former student activists sat down for an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran regarding their motivations for attending the session, the presence of pro-government NGO’s that were covering up the human rights violations in Iran, and eventually about their own activities.

International Organizations Call for Immediate Reforms in Syria

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has joined a group of international civil society organizations calling on the Syrian government to implement immediate reforms, respect the legitimate rights of its citizens, and avoid further bloodshed. The text of the statement is below: March 28, 2011 Over the past 12 days, peaceful protests in [...]

Unfolding of Iran Resolution Vote: What was not Mentioned in the News!

Geneva, Switzerland–Twenty two member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council voted for a resolution against Iran, approving the appointment of a special human rights rapporteur for Iran, while 7 voted against it and 14 abstained. At the meeting, the Iranian diplomatic delegation presented its defense against the approval of the resolution by spending most of its time on attacking the violations of human rights in the US and accusing the Council of having been used, and distancing itself from the main topics of the resolution. The Iranian representative who appeared stressed even lost Brazil’s support. Voting for the resolution, Brazil rendered months of lobbying on the part of the Iranian government ineffective. Iran’s usual supporters such as Pakistan, Cuba, China, and a few other countries voted against the resolution, but Brazil on whose vote Iran had counted issued a calculated statement and defended the resolution and the appointment of the special rapporteur.

Human Rights Council Votes 22 to 7 to Establish Special Rapporteur

(24 March 2011) Today’s Human Rights Council (HRC) decision to establish a UN special mechanism on human rights in Iran is an important step forward to address the human rights crisis and a victory for the Iranian people, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said.

Although the Iranian government has tried to lead an anti-human rights bloc at the UN, this vote is a repudiation of Iran’s efforts to hide behind cultural relativism as an excuse to subjugate citizens, the Campaign said. The vote showed “that the international community sees through Iran’s transparent lies about its brutal practices.”

One Day Before The Resolution, The Iranian Delegation Attacks The Secretary-General’s Report

Campaign’s daily blog from Geneva- Yesterday, the delegation representing Iran on the Human Rights Council presented the Iranian government’s response to the UN Secretary General’s report which was submitted informally last week and formally today, with phrases that sounded like slogans and without making references to the points raised in the report. The response was general and lasted only five minutes. According to a diplomat from a country that will be voting for the resolution tomorrow, Iran’s defense clearly showed that Tehran authorities have no will for accountability and responsibility.

Iran’s Student Movement Makes A Strong Appearance At The UN Human Rights Council Session

With several prominent members from Iran’s student movement, former political prisoners, and expelled or banned students in attendance, challenging Iran’s official delegation and the state-supported NGO members, the United Nations Human Rights Council Session had a very different face this year.