Senate Foreign Relations Hearing on Human Rights in Iran

Click the image to watch the Campaign’s testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The testimony begins at 84 minutes. ——– FULL TESTIMONY TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS DELIVERED BY RUDI BAKHTIAR INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN 5/11/2011   I would like to thank the Chairman for providing this opportunity to speak [...]

With “Deep Concern” For Iran Rights Situation, Resolution Passes 78 For, 45 Against

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on Tuesday expressing deep concern about widespread violations of human rights in Iran, where government officials target human rights lawyers and direct the suppression of government critics. Seventy-eight countries voted for the resolution, forty-five against, while fifty-nine countries abstained.

UN human rights chief concerned by Iranian crackdown on human rights defenders

GENEVA – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Tuesday expressed renewed concern for the fate of human rights defenders in Iran, particularly Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh who was on hunger strike for several weeks in Tehran’s Evin Prison.

“As we approach international Human Rights Day* on 10 December, the world will be focusing on situations where human rights activists are not free to organize or speak out,” the High Commissioner said. “I am very concerned that Nasrin Sotoudeh’s case is part of a much broader crackdown, and that the situation of human rights defenders in Iran is growing more and more difficult,” she added.

Report of the Secretary General on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran – 2010

The situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran – Report of the Secretary-General

I. Introduction
II. Thematic issues
III. Cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
IV. Conclusions and recommendations

Reporters’ Guide for Interviewing Iranian Officials on Human Rights Issues

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has reviewed and analyzed over twenty interviews with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and prepared a guide for reporters to be used during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The Campaign has highlighted important trends on human rights issues and advisement on how to approach those issues with Ahmadinejad.

How to Interview Iranian Officials on Human Rights Issues

I. Introduction: Human Rights Under Siege in Iran
II. A Brief Summary of Major Human Rights Violations in Iran

Human Rights Community Prevails in Forcing Withdrawal of Iran’s Candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council

(24 April 2010) The withdrawal of Iran’s candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, which was vociferously opposed by Iranian civil society leaders and human rights community, is a victory for Iranian citizens whose human rights would very likely have suffered had Iran’s repressive and brutal policies been legitimized, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

The Iranian government’s decision to withdraw was announced to the Asian group of delegates in Geneva today.

“Does Iran Deserve to be on the UN Human Rights Council?”

(23 April 2010) Prominent Iranian human rights defenders and other members of civil society are calling on United Nations member states to soundly reject the Iranian government’s bid to become a member of the Human Rights Council.

Despite Iran’s chronic neglect of international human rights, and deterioration marked by widespread atrocities during the past year, the Iranian government has filed its candidacy for membership at the UN’s Human Rights Council. The elections for Council members will take place at the General Assembly on 13 May 2010, in New York.

In a vigorous campaign, Iranian activists are urging a wholesome rejection of Iran’s candidacy, calling it an affront not only to Iranian victims of human rights violations, but to the global human rights system and community.

Family Unfairly Sentenced to Death

(20 April 2010) Death sentences issued to three family members and two of their close associates after a politicized, unfair trial, at which only weak evidence was presented, reveal a continuing program of punishing post-election protestors and intimidating the population, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

These five cases, together with that of Abdolreza Ghanbari, also sentenced to death, are based on allegations that the defendants sent videos and pictures to the opposition group Mojahedin-e Khalq (MKO).

“These sentences would be grossly disproportionate even if evidence linked the defendants to the charges, and they demonstrate complete disregard for justice and due process in perversely sending innocent citizens to the gallows,” said the Campaign’s spokesperson, Aaron Rhodes.

Threats Against Maziar Bahari Extend Repression to Diaspora

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.

(19 April 2010) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today strongly condemned government threats against Maziar Bahari and warned against possible government sponsored violence targeting dissidents and activists abroad.

In an interview with the Campaign, Bahari said that an unidentified caller contacted his family in Iran and threatened to harm him.

Human Rights Group Demands Closure of Evin Prison Court

(14 April 2010) The Iranian Judiciary should immediately halt the operation of a recently-established “special court” at Evin prison, which confines judges and magistrates to the prison complex and denies lawyers and families any access to judicial proceedings, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

“The newly-formed Evin Court has increased the influence of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence over judicial matters by blocking lawyers’ access to clients and case files,” said Hadi Ghaemi, a Campaign spokesperson.