Kurdish Students Released on Bail

The Information Unit of Sanandaj Intelligence Office summoned and security forces subsequently arrested Asaad Bagheri, former secretary of the Kurdish Students Democratic Union and secretary of the Islamic Society of Kurdistan University (October 30), Suran Daneshvar, member of Central Council, Spokesperson, and Secretary of the Coordinating Committee of the Union (10 September), Millad Karimi, Deputy Secretary of the Union (29 August) and Mehdi Doagoo, the current Secretary of the Union (11 September), Arman Zamani, Rahim Bajur (13 October) and Shirzad Karimi, member of the Kurdish Students Democratic Union (20 September).

Christian Convert Imprisoned for Holding Baptism in Turkey

Alireza Seyyedian,* 36, a Muslim who converted to Christianity six years ago, was sentenced to six years in prison by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, Seyyedian’s lawyer, said that his client’s charges are “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security.”

Commentary: Broadcasting Tehran’s Repression

Oped published in Wall Street Journal Europe
By Shirin Ebadi and Hadi Ghaemi

(9 December 2011) It may not come as a surprise to learn that the Iranian government invests heavily in internet filtering, mobile-communication restrictions and jamming of international satellite broadcasts to control and manipulate the Iranian people.
What may be surprising is that European companies, particularly satellite providers, continue to provide services to Tehran despite its comprehensive assault on free expression and free access to information.

Iran leads the world in illegal jamming of international satellite broadcasts, but it is a prolific user of international broadcasting platforms for its own programming. European satellite companies like Eutelsat, Intelsat and Arqiva provide extensive services to the Iranian state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), including for domestic Iranian radio and television broadcasts, and for Iran’s growing list of foreign-language channels, like the English-language PressTV and the Arabic Al-Alam.

“If His Confessions Are Broadcast, It’s All Lies,” Says Imprisoned Journalist’s Sister

More than two months have passed since Iranian journalist Amir Ali Allamehzadeh was arrested. His family members, who have been permitted only limited contact with him since he was taken into custody on September 18th, say they remain bewildered by his arrest and are extremely concerned about the conditions he faces in prison. Allamehzadeh’s sister, Zeinab Allamehzadeh, said that in recent communications with her brother, his speech has been abnormal and he has seemed extremely anxious.

Two Inmates Hanged in Public in Kermanshah; Six Others Hanged in Central Prison

On 28 November, the Public Relations Unit of Kermanshah General and Revolutionary Courts issued a statement about the execution of two inmates convicted of rape and kidnapping. According to local sources, the two convicts were hanged at 10 in the morning on Sunday 29 November in Kermanshah’s Azadi Square with onlookers stated to be “in the thousands.” Branches One and Two of the Kermanshah Criminal Court sentenced Meysam Rokhsareh and Hamed Haghi to public hanging on the charges of kidnapping and rape, respectively. After the Supreme Court upheld the sentences, they were hanged in the presence of judicial authorities and city residents.

Launch of Free Sotoudeh Project

(5 December 2011) Today, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran launched a project to help build support for the release of imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and highlight the tragic situation of Iranian prisoners of conscience. The launch coincides with the occasion of Human Rights Day, which is celebrated worldwide on 10 December.

The project features the release of a brand new four-minute video entitled “Free Sotoudeh Now.” In the video, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi and others describe Sotoudeh’s steadfast commitment to her work, her unjust imprisonment and the urgency of a broad international effort to free her.

Kurdish Farmer’s Fate Unknown After Arrest 40 Days Ago

An informed local source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that about 40 days ago, IRGC Intelligence Unit forces arrested Ali Alikhani, a Kurdish civilian from the village of Sheeti in the township of Maku in Western Azarbaijan Province, and transferred him to an unknown location. According to the source, after inspecting [...]

Podcast 42: An Inteview with Dokhi Fassihian on the Recent UN Human Rights Resolution on Iran

Ever wonder why UN human rights resolutions on Iran are important? In this week’s Weekly Rights Podcast, we talk to Dokhi Fassihian of United 4 Iran, a global network of human rights activists. Ms. Fassihian talks about the recent resolution passed by the UN on the situation of human rights in Iran. She tells us that this year’s resolution is significant because of the increasing international support and the newly-appointed Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, and she discusses the Iranian government’s lack of cooperation with UN human rights mandates. Enjoy this stimulating discussion on the relationship between Iran and the UN!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.