Introduction

For nearly a decade, United States (US) policymakers and analysts have been debating whether military action against Iran, particularly in response to its nuclear program, would be legal, necessary and feasible. Currently, it seems that most US officials have concluded that use of military force would be “ill advised” and such action seems unlikely. But [...]

Executive Summary

Since 2002, the possibility of armed conflict between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a constant refrain in the complex and contentious relationship between the two states. Threats of military force and overt calls for an attack on Iran by the United States or its allies have reverberated throughout US-Iranian [...]

Foreword

Iranian society has experienced much political and economic upheaval since the 1979 Revolution. Most of these developments have been accompanied with widespread violence, bloodshed, and civilian deaths, including post-revolutionary assassinations and mass-executions of dissidents, the eight-year long Iran-Iraq war, and massive internal repression that escalated since the disputed 2009 presidential election.

Raising Their Voices: Iranian Civil Society Reflections on the Military Option

The possibility of a US military strike against Iran has been debated for almost a decade, since Iran’s nuclear program first gave rise to concerns about the possible development of a nuclear weapon and calls for exercising a “military option” to stop it. Some have also suggested an attack to change the government of Iran, citing its abusive human rights policies in addition to conflicts with US regional interests. What do Iranians, who would be most affected by an attack, think about its likely impact on their society and their political aspirations? How would an attack on Iran impact human rights, the movement for a more liberal, open society, and on the future of civil society there? Debates in Western policy circles have not, in general, taken these views into account. This report is based on interviews with 35 leading and influential Iranian civil society activists, lawyers, intellectuals and artistic and cultural figures, all of whom live in Iran.

Iranian Civil Society Warns Against Military Strike in New Report

(26 July 2011) Influential and well-informed members of Iranian civil society believe that military action against Iran would lead to further political repression, deeper enmity between the Iranian people and the United States, and severe humanitarian problems, according to a report published today by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

The 38-page report, Raising Their Voices: Iranian Civil Society Reflections on the Military Option, presents the viewpoints of 35 prominent Iranians living inside the country on the domestic consequences of an attack by the United States or its allies.

Kurdish Activist Shahram Bolouri Sentenced to 4.5 Years

A source close to the case of Shahram Bolouri told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the Kurdish activist’s 4.5 year prison sentence has been upheld by Branch 36 of Tehran’s Appeals Court. Last October, Bolouri, a Tehran resident, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison by Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “assembly and collusion against the regime”.

Los Angeles Art Opening to Benefit Campaign

From 30 July to 4 August 2011, Seyhoun Gallery, in West Hollywood California, will host a show by New York City based visual artist Serge Hamad.

As an artist, Serge’s goal is to use his work to support global human rights efforts and he has independently volunteered to donate the proceeds from the Seyhoun event to the International Campaign For Human Rights In Iran.

Secret Executions Continues in Iran: 30 More Hanged in Mashad

Local sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that 30 prisoners convicted of drug trafficking were hanged inside Mashad’s Vakilabad Prison on Wednesday, 29 June (12 inmates), and Sunday, 3 July (18 inmates). As with the other executions of drug traffickers carried out inside this facility, news of the executions has not yet been announced by official Judiciary authorities. The inmates were hanged in groups.

Political Prisoner With 10-Year Sentence Is Innocent, Sister Insists

Zahra Rahnama, sister of Fatemeh Rahnama, a 50-year-old prisoner of conscience sentenced to 10 years in prison in exile, who is currently spending her sentence inside Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that her sister’s charges are fabricated. “Mr. Dolatabadi (the Tehran Prosecutor) once told Fatemeh that when [...]

Iranian Judiciary Continues to Cover Up Secret Executions; 140 Birjand Executions Confirmed

While Mohammad Bagher Bagheri, Social and Crime Prevention Deputy of South Khorasan Province Judiciary, recently announced that 140 inmates with drug trafficking charges were executed in 2010, so far no judicial officials have made any statements about why the Judiciary and the media refrain from making announcements about the cases despite such a high rate of executions.