Rape and Torture: Legacy of the Post-Election Crackdown

Video Testimony from a Young Woman Raped in Detention, Most Detailed Account to Date

(10 June 2011) On the second anniversary of the disputed June 2009 election and the ensuing repression, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today released video testimony from a young female detainee describing in detail her severe torture and repeated rape after her arbitrary arrest.

Her forceful testimony challenges the Iranian authorities’ official narrative, which denies widespread use of torture and rape by security forces against ordinary protestors.

“Rape is one of the worst forms of torture and allegation after allegation of sadistic torture and sexual abuse continue to emerge,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.

Violations of Law and Due Process Standards in the Conviction of Atefeh Nabavi

(30 November 2009) Judicial authorities should review the arrest, trial and conviction of Atefeh Nabavi, a 28-year-old woman sentenced to four years in prison for her participation in peaceful demonstrations following disputed presidential elections in June, appealed the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

“The procedures leading to Atefeh Nabavi’s conviction and sentencing were so riddled with errors and human rights violations that the result is devoid of credibility and should be thrown out,” stated Hadi Ghaemi, a spokesperson for the Campaign.

New Charges of Espionage Filed Against Iranian-American Sociologist

(26 November 2009) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed serious concerns about new charges introduced by Revolutionary Guards commanders in the prosecution of Kian Tajbakhsh, an Iranian-American sociologist.

“It appears the Revolutionary Guards are seeking to justify their severe repression since the June elections by ratcheting up baseless espionage charges against Tajbakhsh in order to demonstrate foreign involvement and make him a scapegoat,” said Aaron Rhodes, a Campaign spokesperson.

Investigate Suspicious Death of Medical Doctor Witness to Torture at Kahrizak

(November 25, 2009) In a letter to Iranian authorities, human rights organizations expressed serious concerns about the recent suspicious death of Dr. Ramin Pourandarjani, a physician who worked at the Kahrizak detention center, and who reportedly witnessed grave human rights violations there.

Scores of protestors were detained and held at Kahrizak, where they were allegedly tortured and ill treated. At least four detainees died in the facility. Iranian authorities have promised to investigate the ill treatment of detainees at Kahrizak but to date, no public announcements about the prosecution of those responsible have been made.

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.

109 Human Rights Groups Ask United Nations to Condemn Human Rights Violations in Iran

(16 November 2009) New York – Over one hundred independent human rights and civil society organizations from around the world have urged delegations to the United Nations to support a resolution in the General Assembly condemning human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), and urging the IRI to abide by its international human rights obligations.

“Human rights conditions in Iran have deteriorated dramatically since the General Assembly’s 2008 Resolution…”