Blog/Latest News

Former Foreign Minister Ebrahim Yazdi Sentenced to Eight Years In Prison

Following an eight-year prison sentence for political activist and head of the Iran Freedom Movement Ebrahim Yazdi, his son-in-law Mehdi Nourbakhsh called the ruling cruel in an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

Iranian-American Prisoner’s Family: TV Confessions Fake And Under Duress

Family of Amir Hekmati, an Iranian-American man whom Iranian officials allege worked for the CIA, and whose court session and confessions were broadcasted on Iranian state TV on 27 December 2011, have released a statement, a copy of which was shared with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, stating that Amir Hekmati’s television confessions were fake and made under duress. They also added that they have been forced into silence by Iranian officials who had promised them their son would be released soon. The statement further expresses grave concern about Hekmati’s lack of a fair trial and their inability to recruit an independent defense lawyer for him.

Civil Society Activist Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison and €550,000 in Fines

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has learned that former Allameh Tabatabaee faculty member and head of Volunteer Actors Institute Sohrab Razzaghi has been tried in absentia and sentenced to 20 years in prison and €550,000 ($760,705) in fines.

Podcast 44: Iranian Refugees in an interview with Faraz Sanei

The idea of ‘being a refugee’ can evoke many different images in people’s minds. Refugees from Iran are perhaps not what one may immediately think of as ‘typical’. To start with, there’s a relatively wide range of reasons behind people’s decision to flee – from religious persecution to the ongoing witch-hunt for dissidents and political activists. What happens once they cross the border also varies quite a bit. While the luckier ones eventually get resettled and can start to rebuild their lives in another country, many end up in permanent limbo – or even back where they started.

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“Dezfool Prison Inmates Are Treated Like Animals”

A local source in Ahvaz told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that Saeed Saki, a political prisoner and an Ahvaz Arab activist who was previously held in Karoon Prison of Ahvaz, was transferred to Dezfool prison two months ago. According to the source, the Dezfool Prison is in deplorable conditions due to prison overcrowding and poor hygiene, and treatment of the prisoners is abominable.

“Police Should End Coverup And Release Recording,” Says Brother of Deceased Activist

The brother of Haleh Sahabi, who lost her life on 1 June 2011 following interference by security forces during her father’s funeral, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that he continues to pursue his complaint with Iranian authorities to identify those involved in the incident.

Snapshot: 6 Months of Human Rights Violations and Political Arrests in Iran’s Azerbaijan Provinces

During the six-month period from 21 March to 21 September 2011 more than 320 cultural, political, women’s rights, and human rights activists were arrested in Iran’s West and East Azerbaijan Provinces, according to local sources.
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran confirmed the names of 326 people prosecuted in these provinces. Sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that many more detainees were released immediately or within a few days of their arrest.

Iranian Christian Journalist Discusses Government Campaign to Target Protestants

(23 December 2011) As Christmas approaches this year, it appears that authorities are again ramping up their monitoring and harassment of Protestant Christians and house-churches. According to the Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), a news service dedicated to covering Christian issues, in recent weeks the “number of Christians in Tehran and six other cities have been ordered to state security centers, interrogated at length, been allowed home with the warning that they will be recalled and that they better obey the order.”

Apostasy Verdict Delayed So Pastor Can Repent

The Iranian Judiciary reportedly ordered the Rasht court last week to postpone a verdict in the apostasy trial of Christian Pastor and convert Youcef Nadarkhani. The Judiciary’s order came after Nadarkhani’s case provoked international outcry. Human rights groups and several foreign governments have criticized Iranian authorities for their blatant violation of religious freedom and potential abuse of the death penalty.

Female Kurdish Prisoner’s Death Sentence Overturned

The Supreme Court has reduced the death sentence of Zeinab Jalalian, a Kurdish prisoner of conscience, to life in prison. In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran Jalalian’s lawyer Majid Sharif said that prison authorities had previously informed Jalalian of the change.