Academic Freedom
During the past few years, Iranian universities have been experiencing a new phase of government intervention in academic affairs, which is considered a second Cultural Revolution. The present government policy is demonstrated on several fronts and is resulting in severe infringements on academic freedoms.
Report on the Situation of Academic Freedom on University Campuses — December 2008
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Imprisoned Student Reveals Details of Unfair Prosecution
(22 February 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has obtained a copy of a letter by an imprisoned student, sentenced to 15 years, which demonstrates the utter lack of evidence against him as well as the arbitrary nature of the show trial convicting him. The letter, by Seyed Zia Nabavi, is written to the head of Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani from inside Evin prison’s ward 350, demanding a fair appeals hearing.
“This document provides significant evidence of how Iranian Judiciary doles out lengthy and unjust prison sentences for young people, without any evidence against them,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.
Student Facing Execution for Throwing Rocks
(8 February 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today strongly condemned the prosecution of a young student activist, Mohammad Amin Valian, under the charge of Moharebeh, or “enmity against God,” which is punishable by death and called the charges “grossly disproportionate.”
At least nine other protestors have been sentenced to death in similar unfair trials and are at risk of imminent execution. Five other protestors, including Valian, were prosecuted last week and face the death penalty if convicted.
Authorities Attempt to Crush Remaining Active Human Rights NGOs
(6 January 2009) Islamic Republic authorities are attempting to shut down the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, one of the few human rights organizations still active in the country, and to stop the human rights activities of the student alumni group ADVAR, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. Some members of the groups are being arrested, and others are under intense pressure to halt their work.
“In illegally shutting down independent, domestic human rights reporting, the authorities are attempting to preserve their own impunity before Iranian and international law,” said Campaign spokesperson Hadi Ghaemi.
Rights Groups Appeal to Judiciary to Stop Persecution
(10 December 2009) The Asia Pacific Forum today, along with other Asian human rights organizations from India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Japan, sent an appeal to the Head of Iran’s Judiciary, Ayatollah Amoli Larijani, expressing concern over the persecution of members of the Iranian student alumni group ADVAR, many of whom have been arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted and sentenced in recent months because of their views.
The groups, all of whom are members of the Asian NGOs Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), asked that the Judiciary review the cases in which the internationally protested rights of ADVAR members had been violated.
As Student Protests Continue, State Foments Civil Strife
(9 December 2009) As Iranian students vow to continue protests, Iranian authorities are stoking the flames of civil strife by pitting pro-government Basiji militiamen against students who are demanding reform, a policy that could ignite into a wider conflict, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. The Campaign is also deeply concerned that over 130 students who are still detained following demonstrations may be ill-treated and tortured in prison.
“The authorities of the Islamic Republic are inflicting violence upon students and other citizens by instrumentalizing young Basiji militia, who are in effect child soldiers,” stated Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the Campaign.
Protests Engulf University Campuses
(7 December 2009) Massive Iranian security and paramilitary forces are tear-gassing, beating, and arresting students on university campuses taking part in National Student Day demonstrations, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. The crack-down is taking place as authorities have forbidden international journalists from observing the events, and shut down internet and mobile-telephone communications, in an apparent attempt to suppress the flow of information and to thwart coordination of the protests. Leaders of the reform movement have been prevented from joining protesters.
“Whether or not information is passed to the international community, the Iranian people will know that their fundamental rights, and their traditions, are being desecrated,” stated Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.
Top Student Leader Arrested
(2 December 2009) With the approach of the National Students Day, December 7, the authorities have stepped up persecution and prosecution of student activists throughout the country, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.
Authorities arrested prominent student leader Milad Asadi, a member of the Central Council of the Student Union to Foster Unity (Daftar e Tahkim Vahdat), at his home on the afternoon of 1 December. Three other members of the Central Council, Bahareh Hedayat, Mehdi Arabshahi and Farid Hashemi, were summoned on 29 November to appear before the Revolutionary Court on 2 December. Another member of the Central Council, Abbas Hakimzadeh, was arrested last week and remains imprisoned.
Crackdown on Students Ahead of National Student Day
(24 November 2009) Scores of Iranian students have been arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted in recent days, as authorities apparently seek to stifle protests expected on 7 December, National Student Day, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. Detentions of students have occurred throughout Iran. The Campaign has received information of such detentions in Isfahan, Babol, Chaharmahal-o-Bakhtiari, Shiraz, Ilam, Kermanshah, Ghazvin, and in Tehran in Azad University, Tehran University, Amirkabir and Elm-o-Sanaat.
“In order to silence the student movement, a wholesale crackdown on Iranian students is underway, which not only violates their rights, but also disrupts their studies and the lives of their families,” stated Hadi Ghaemi, a spokesperson for the Campaign.
Continuing Persecution of Student Alumni Group
(19 November 2009) Iranian authorities have arbitrarily arrested another member of the leading student alumni group ADVAR, and sentenced its spokesperson to an eight-year prison term, while other detained members are being mistreated, unfairly tried and sentenced to jail terms, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today.
“We deplore the continuing abuse of the human rights of ADVAR members, who are being persecuted in an apparent attempt to prevent a new generation of Iranians from freely thinking and working together,” said Hadi Ghaemi, a spokesperson for the Campaign.
New Wave of Arbitrary Detentions Targets Students and Alumni
(5 November 2009) A purge of reform-minded citizens, in particular members of a leading student alumni organization, is ongoing, as Iranian authorities detained dozens of people before public demonstrations on 4 November and during protests that occurred against the government, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.
“As the authorities arrest more and more socially-engaged students, alumni, and others, the numbers of detained citizens who may face unfair trials and even death sentences for exercising their internationally protected human rights are swelling,” stated Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.
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