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What are the refugees’ expectations in Turkey? Eyewitness report

With the widespread flight of many Iranian journalists and political and social activists who are now in neighboring countries, seeking asylum from third countries over the past few months, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has tried to demonstrate the issues and problems facing the Iranian refugees in Turkey. A distinguished Iranian journalist [...]

Evin Prison: Visiting political prisoners

After the Iranian Presidential elections of 12 June 2009 which was accompanied by widespread political arrests, the visitation pattern of political prisoners’ families changed drastically from previous years. The number of political prisoners increased and therefore the number of families who were in search of their arrested loved ones also increased. International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has conducted several interviews with the families of political prisoners regarding the details of their visits to Evin Prison. What follows is the observations of several of these people. The interview content has been summarized and presented here in the form of a report, taking out the duplicate questions:

Disqualification of Lawyers and the Iranian Bar Association’s Demise: An Interview with Abdolsamad Khorramshahi

Distinguished Iranian attorney Abdolsamad Khorramshahi is one of 36 attorneys who were recently disqualified by the Judges Court for membership in the Board of Directors of the Iranian Bar Association. In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, he expressed concern over the disqualifications, stating that this action will seriously weaken the power and position of the organization.

Arrest of Iranian Filmmaker Jafar Panahi and New Pressure on Independent Filmmakers

A source close to Jafar Panahi told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: “Over the past years, Ministry of Information authorities have summoned Jafar Panahi to different investigation offices of the Ministry in different locations and have questioned him. In one of these meetings he was told “Just because you are a famous filmmaker, you mustn’t think that we are unable to arrest you. We can arrest you whenever we decide.” In some of these meetings, Panahi was told to avoid taking political sides and choosing subjects which show a dark image of Islamic Republic, and that in return for his agreement to this, they would allow his films to be shown and would give him licenses for making new films.

Protestor in Danger of Execution as Iran Flouts Human Rights Standards

(4 March 2010) An Iranian protestor, prosecuted in a post-Ashura trials on charges of Moharebeh, or “enmity against God, is in danger of imminent execution, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

The identity of the protestor sentenced to death is not yet certain as the Iranian Judiciary is purposefully refusing to provide accurate information regarding ongoing prosecutions and sentencing. On 9 February 2010, the Iranian Judiciary announced that nine post-election protestors had been convicted: one sentenced to execution and the other eight protestors sentenced to prison.

The news website irangreenvoice.com reported that an appeals court has upheld a death sentence for 20-year old Iranian student Mohammad Amin Valian.

After 2 Months in Prison, “No Suspect by the Name of Bahareh Hedayat Exists!”

Student activist and member of the central council of Advar Alumni Association (Tahkim-e Vahdat) Bahareh Hedayat’s husband has described his wife’s condition for the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

Morteza Semyari’s Family Say They Will Never be Able to Raise his $600,000 Bail

A source close to Morteza Semyari told International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that after the Revolutionary Courts announced Semyari’s bail at $800,000, his family tried to talk to court authorities before a public announcement of their decision was made, hoping to see the bail amount reduced. Semyari family say they have no [...]

Prime Minister of Spain Urges Respect for Human Rights in Iran

In a response to a request by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran for solidarity in demanding human rights in Iran to the Prime Minister of Spain, the Director of the Cabinet Mr. Jose Enrique Serrano Martinez wrote:

Cabinet Director of The Presidency (Spain)

I reply to your request directed to the Prime Minister, in connection with the regarding the human rights situation in Iran.

Six-Year Prison Sentences for Omid Montazeri and Hengameh Shahidi

Only a few days after being re-arrested, it was announced that Hengameh Shahidi’s six-year prison sentence has been upheld in an appeals court and she must prepare for serving her sentence. Sources close to Shahidi’s case told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that there is no evidence of crime in her file and that her sentence does not have a reasonable relation to what is in her file.

Student Activist Eftekhar Barzegarian Being Held in Hardened Criminals’ Ward

A source close to the case of student activist Eftekhar Barzegarian told International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that six months after this student’s arrest, he remains in Vakil Abad Prison’s dangerous criminals ward. Eftekhar Barzegarian is a Mashad Ferdowsi University student who has been deprived from continuing his education.