The best course of action is to make no decision for the time being

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Mordad 1397 (July-August 2018):

The best course of action is to make no decision for the time being

In continuation of its monthly reports, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Mordad 1397 [Iranian month corresponding to 23 July to 22 August 2018]:

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has referred to the signing of a contract about the Caspian Sea and considered the signing of that agreement in the current situation is not in Iran’s political interests.

This people-instituted organisation has written in its reports: ”During the month of Mordad, when Iran faced intense popular protests and economic issues created serious problems for the state and the citizens, and from a diplomatic point of view too, Iran faced serious conflicts on the international arena with some countries of the region and with the United States, a delegation headed by the president traveled to Kazakhstan, where an agreement  was signed, the exact details of which have not yet been communicated to the public and the media.”

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights added: ”Given the above-mentioned conditions and in view of the influence of Russia in Iran, the signing of such a contract is not in the country’s political interests. Instead, Iran should have adopted a non-committal approach, as was the case 20 years ago, so as to be able to arrive at a decision about signing that agreement later on, at a more appropriate juncture. In other words, the best political action is to make no decision at the present time.”

Furthermore, in its report, which is published in both Farsi and English languages, this people-instituted organisation has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran under the three main headings of “Civil and political rights”, “social and economic rights”, and “cultural heritage and the environment”.

According to the website of the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, the text of the report by the said centre for the month of Mordad 1397, which has been published on 5th Shahrivar 1397 [27 August 2018], is as follows:

 

A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in July-August 2018

Introduction:

The Caspian Sea is in the north of Iran, and in the past, two agreements had been signed with the Soviet Union about it. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the creation of a set of new states, the lake found itself surrounded by five countries. In the last 20 years, there has been a series of legal disputes about how to use the sea and its resources. This was because in addition to its oil resources and fishing potentials, the lake can also be used to transport oil and gas. For this reason, and also due to political backgrounds, some disagreements have emerged among the concerned states.

During Mordad, when Iran faced intense popular protests and economic issues created serious problems for the state and the citizens, and from a diplomatic point of view too, Iran faced serious conflicts on the international arena with some countries of the region and with the United States, a delegation headed by the president traveled to Kazakhstan, where an agreement  was signed, the exact details of which have not yet been communicated to the public and the media..

In view of these circumstances, and given the influence of Russia in Iran, the signing of such a contract is not in the country’s political interests. Instead, Iran should have adopted a non-committal approach, as was the case 20 years ago, so as to be able to arrive at a decision about signing that agreement later on, at a more appropriate juncture. In other words, the best political action is to make no decision at the present time

The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Mordad 1397, as follows. This report is based on information published by various media channels and websites, whose accuracy has been verified. The report is appearing under three separate sections and in Farsi and English languages.

Human Rights Situation in Iran in July-August 2018

 

Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights

 

1. A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists 
2. During this month, more than 38 people were detained and the names of them have been specified as: Behnam Ebrahimzadeh – a labourer activist; Farhad Meysami – a civil activist; Zia Nabavi – a former student activist; Qasem Sholesadi, Arash Keikhosravi, Hossein Ahmadiniaz and Masud Javadieh – four lawyers; Dorna Esmaeili, Negar Misaqian, Human Esmaeili, Pejman Shahriari, Kurosh Ruhani, Mahbub Habibi and Mehran Bandi Amirabadi – seven Baha’i citizens; Mohammad Davari – a civil activist; Elaheh Nematollahi – a member of the Gonabadi Darwishes Sect; Ali Kakavand – a cultural activist; and Farhad Jahanbeigi, a media activist.

On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Majed Savari – a citizen from Ahvaz; Abdolatif Miranzehi – a citizen from Zarabad – and Arman Ghafuri – a citizen from Marivan.

Hassan Saeidi, Davud Razavi, Ata Babakhani, Ali Qorbanian – four labour activists – and Mohammad Nurizad – a political activist – have been detained for a short time.

Moreover, some news media have reported the detention of 10 individuals in Shiraz – without mentioning their names – who have been described as the teachers of the Erfaneh Halqeh [The Mystic Ring] sect. The prosecutor of Qarchak has reported the detention of two individuals in this city due to street protests, and other individuals without mentioning their names because of writing slogans against the political system.

There are other cases of arrest of protesting citizens in Mordad 1397: the detention of some citizens in cities such as Oshnavieh, Kamyaran, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, Piranshahr, Paveh, Dalahu, Marivan, Ravansar, Orumieh, Ilam due to various reasons such as communicating and cooperating with anti-regime Kurdish parties; the detention of some citizens in the cities of Khuzestan Province for various pretexts such as participation in street protests; the detention of some citizens in the Azeri-speaking towns after they staged a ceremony in the Sabalan Mountain’s hostel, and the detention of some citizens in Alborz Province, who had taken part in street protests, as they tried to attend ceremonies marking the death anniversary of Ahmad Shamlu [famous poem] at his burial ground.

It should be noted that some of the detainees were released temporarily on bail after a few days until the date of their trial.

 

In addition, some news sources have reported the detention of Morteza Allahverdi – a Baluch citizen; Naser Rigi – a Sunni religious activist – and Hamed Ayenehvand – a civil activist – during the last days of the month of Tir.

2. Majid Azarpey – a political activist – was sent to prison to spend a six and half year term; Kurosh Porsetareh – a citizen from Bushehr – was sent to jail for three months imprisonment; Mehran Eslami Amirabadi – a Baha’i citizen – was sent to prison to spend one and half years there; Mahintaj Ahmadpur – a citizen from Tonekabon – was sent to jail to spend 10 months in detention; Bakhtiar Arefi – a teacher – was sent to prison for a 18 months sentence; Yusef Nodorkhani, Mohammadali Mosayebzadeh, Mohammadreza Omidi and Zaman Fadaei – four Christian citizens – were sent to prison to spend 10 years each in jail.

Moreover, the 74 lashes sentence of Mohammad Mozafari – a political activist – was executed.

3. Mohammad Habibi – a teachers’ union activist – was sentenced to 10 and half years imprisonment, 7.5 years of which is custodial, as well as a two years ban from leaving the country and engaging in activities in political parties and social organisations and groups, and finallhy 74 lashes; Gholamhossein Karbaschi – the secretary of the Iran Executives of Construction Party [and former mayor of Tehran] – was sentenced to one year in jail; Seyyed Tabib Taqizadeh – a media activist – was sentenced to two years of suspended imprisonment and five years ban from professional media activities, three years ban from activities in political parties and groups, three years ban from activity in cyberspace and three years ban from leaving the country; Mohammadreza Fakhraeirad – a writer and poet – was sentenced to three years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and a fine of 200,000 Toman; Pedram Pazireh – a university student activist – was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes; Amirhossein (Mir Mohammadhossein) Miresmaeili – a journalist – was sentenced to 10 years in jail, two years ban from activity in media and cyberspace, two years ban from leaving the country and a fine; Farzad Delaram – a Baha’i citizen – was sentenced to one year in prison; Shapur Jozi and Parastu Zariftash – two newly converted Christians – each were sentenced to one year imprisonment; Bakhtiar Khoshnam – a civil activist – was sentenced to 74 lashes sentence and a fine of 18,000,000 Rials; Mohammad Sani – a teacher form Bushehr – was sentenced to two years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Amirsaman Dashti – a newly converted Christian – was sentenced to four months in prison; Shoja Hosseinzadeh – a manager of a [social media platform] Telegram channel – was sentenced to 74 lashes sentence and Kavus Kiani – a former political prisoner – was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

In addition, the sentences of some members of the Gonabadi Darwishes Sect who are currently in prison, are as follow:

Sepideh Moradi was sentenced to five years in jail and two years ban from leaving the country and two years ban from attending political parties and groups and activity in cyberspace; Shokufeh Yadollahi was sentenced to five years in prison and two years ban from social and media activities; Sina Entesari was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Mirjaveh, two years ban from leaving the country, and two years of ban from social activities; Saleh Moradinia was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Borazjan; Elham Ahmadi was sentenced to five years in jail, two years ban from social activities and two years ban from leaving the country; Khashayar Dehqan was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Borzjan; Kasra Nuri was sentenced to 12 years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Solasbabajani, two years ban from leaving the country  and two years ban from attending political and social parties and groups and media activities; Sediqeh Safabakht was sentenced to five years in prison, two years ban from attending political and social parties and groups and two years ban from activity in mass media; Mohammad Sharifimoqadam was sentenced to 12 years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Borazjan and two years social exclusions and ban from leaving the country; Reza Entesari was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Khaf, two years ban from leaving the country and two years ban from attending political and social parties and groups and media activities; Mostafa Abdi was sentenced to 26 years and three month imprisonment, 148 lashes sentence, two years exile to Sistan Va Baluchestan Province, two years ban from leaving the country and two years ban from engaging in activities in political and social parties and groups, and also in any media work; Mostafa Mirmohammadi was sentenced to 13 and half years in prison, 148 lashes, two years ban from leaving the country and two years exile to Sistan Va Baluchestan; Babak Moradi was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Saravan in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province; Mahmud Boghyar was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and two years of social exclusions; Saeid Durandish was sentenced to seven years in prison and two years exile to Zabol; Ahmad Iranikhah was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and two years exile to Borazjan; Amir Nuri was sentenced to six years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and two years ban from leaving the country; Mohammadqasem Allahyari was sentenced to two years in prison; Vahid Khamushi was sentenced to 12 years in jail and two years exile to Rayen; Alireza Azadravesh was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Kahnuj; Ali Karimi was sentenced to seven years in prison, two years exile to Borazjan and 74 lashes sentence; Ehsan Malekmohammadi was sentenced to seven years in prison, two years exile to Zabol and 74 lashes sentence; Ehsan Safari was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Zabol; Armin Abolfathi was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Morteza Sohrabpur was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Saeid Khamushi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and 74 lashes sentence; Mohammadasad zamani was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Masud Alimadadi was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Majid Rashidi was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Amir Seyyedi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes sentence; Afshin Salimi was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Ali Salimi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes sentence; Mohammadreza Abolfathi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes sentence; Majid Amirahmadi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes sentence; Hamidreza Amirahmadi was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Mohammadreza Zahtab was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Ebrahim Allahbakhshi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes sentence; Nemat Kazemi was sentenced to seven years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Babak Taqian was sentenced to seven years in jail; Mostafa Armandust was sentenced to seven years in jail; Mehran Asgharzadeh was sentenced to seven years in prison; Amin Hosseini was sentenced to six years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Asghar Samadyar was sentenced to five years in jail; Amirbahador Jafari was sentenced to three years in prison; Meysam Azizan was sentenced to three years in prison; Malek Rezaei was sentenced to two years in jail; Aliasghar Salari was sentence to two years imprisonment; Elyas Mohammadi was sentenced to two years in jail; Mohamamd Amirahmadi was sentenced to two years in jail; Ali Bolboli was sentenced to two years in prison; Ashkan Kazemi was sentenced to two years in jail; Musa Fazlipur was sentenced to two years in prison; Mhedi Sa’adat was sentenced to one year in prison; Hashem Avazeh was sentenced to one year in prison; and Majid Shayeq was sentenced to one year in prison.

Furthermore, another member of the Darwishes sect, Ebrahim Rezaei, was sentenced to one year in jail; Reza Yavari was sentenced to nine years in prison, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile to Taybad; Saeid Karimiaei was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and two years ban from attending political and social parties and groups and two years exile to Nahbandan; Sajjad Razmi was sentenced to seven years in jail, two years ban from leaving the country, 74 lashes sentence and two years ban from attending political and social parties and groups; Behruz Sadeqi Aliyaei was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years ban from attending political and social parties and groups and two years exile to Saravan; Morteza Shokri was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence and two years exile; Mohamamd Samadyar was sentenced to seven years in prison, two years ban from activity in cyberspace and 74 lashes sentence; Mehdi Mahdavifar was sentenced to 13 and half years in prison, 148 lashes sentence, two years exile to Nikshahr in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province and two years ban from social activities; Bashir Riahi was sentenced to 10 and half years in prison, 148 lashes sentence, two years exile to Khaf in Sistan Va Baluchstan Province and two years ban from social activities; Sekhavat Salimi was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Nikshahr in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province and two years ban from social activities; Abolfazl Sahraei was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Sarbisheh in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province and two years ban from social activities; Rostam Sagvand was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Nahbandan in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province and two years ban from social activities; Morteza Kangarlu was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Sarbisheh in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province and two years ban from social activities; Ardeshir Ashayeri was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Saravan and two years ban from social activities; Saeid Soltanpur was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Zahak in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province; Mohammadreza Darwishi was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Nahavandan; Mohammad Karimiaei was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Sohraj; Alireza Lak was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Manujan; Habin Qanbari was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Iranshahr; Mehdi Izadpanah was sentenced to five years in jail and two years exile to Sirjan; Mehrdad Rezaei was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Sarbaz in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province; Mansur Farahmand was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Tabas; Abolfazl Avazeh was sentenced to six years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Mirjaveh; Ali Qamari was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Hirmand; Mahmud Barakuhi was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Kahnuj; Heidar Teimuri was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Khash.

In addition, Maryam Farsiabi was released after spending the sentences of six months imprisonment and two years ban from leaving the country.

On the other hand, the appeals courts have confirmed the following sentences: 21,000,000 Rilas fine instead of four months imprisonment and 70 lashes sentence for Beitollah Barzegar, Sina Qorbani Ershadi and Siamak Qardashi – three Azarbaijani activists; one-year imprisonment sentence of Mohammad Ebrahimi – a civil activist; two and half years imprisonment for Ruhieh Nariman – a Baha’i citizen; one years and half imprisonment sentence and one year exile to Saravan for Mehran Eslami Amirabadi – a Baha’i citizen; one year and half imprisonment sentence and one year exile to Divandareh for Mehran Bandi Amirabadi – a Baha’i citizen; three years of suspended imprisonment for Sorur Forughi Mahdiabadi, Farzad Ruhani Manshadi, Ramin Hosuri Sharafabadi, Ahmadali Tadrisi and Ahmad Jafari Naeimi – five Baha’i citizen – and one and half years imprisonment and one year exile to Minab for Zabohollah Raufi – a Baha’i – citizen.

Moreover, The Supreme Court has upheld the sentence of five years imprisonment for Mohammadali Taheri – the leader of the Erfaneh Halqeh Group [The Mystic Ring]. The appeal court reduced the imprisonment sentence of Farokh Abdi – a Telegram activist – to 15 months.

4. Ejlal Qavami – a civil activist – and Mohammadhadi Abbaszadeh – a citizen from Khoy – were temporarily released on bail until the trial after they received a briefing about the allegations against them. In addition, Parastu Salehi – an actress – was summoned to the “monitoring and follow-up unit” of the Judiciary.
5. Relevant officials seized some of personal belongings of Reza Khandan, Mohammadreza (Davud) Farhadpur and Jila Makvandi – three civil activists – after searching their houses.

 

1. B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
2. 1. The Press Jury found the editor in chiefs of “Zanburan” and “Bulletin News” monthlies guilty.
3. Relevant officials prevented Romina Asgari – a Baha’i citizen – from studying at the university.
4. Relevant officials prevented the holding of the 18th anniversary of Ahmad Shamlu’s death – a poet.
5. Relevant officials prevented the holding of Eid al-Adha’s prayers in some Sunni prayer halls in Tehran.

 

1. C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
2. 1. Some 12 individuals were executed in this month. The complete names of some of them are still not clear but judicial authorities or government-controlled media have confirmed their executions. Some of the names are as follows:

Some six individuals have been executed in Mashhad and three in Bojnurd. Judiciary officials said their crime was armed robbery. In addition, three individuals were executed in Minab. News media reported that their crime was rape.

On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported executions in the prisons of Gachsaran, Rasht, Shirvan, Rajaei Shahr in Karaj, Ardebil, Tabriz, Bandarabbas, Oromieh and Zahedan. These reports have not been confirmed or denied by the Judiciary officials or state-controlled media.

2. News media in Iran have reported the issuance of death sentences for five individuals in Tehran Province because of the crime of first-degree murder.

Moreover, The Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence for three individuals in Tehran province because of murder.

3. News media in Iran have reported the issuance of lashes sentence for one individual in Tehran Province because of harassing a girl.
4. The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such Yaser Sharifipur and Mohammad Davari – are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment.
5. Farhad Meysami, Ali Badrkhani, Farhad Aryaei, Nameq Deldel, Iraj Mohammadi and Qasme Absteh went on hunger strike in protest at what they claim to be undesirable conditions for prisoners and the violations of their legal rights and priviledges.
6. Sepideh Moradi and Shokufeh Yadollahi – two members of the Gonabadi Darwishes Sect – refused to attend their court hearings, for the third time, in protest against the deprivation of the Darwishes from the right of having a lawyer and failure to comply with legal procedures during the trial.
7. Ramin Hosseinpanahi, Anvar Khezri, Khosro Besharat and Kamran Sheikheh were transferred to Rajaei Shahr Prison. Alireza Tavakoli was transferred to the security ward No.209 of Evin Prison from the public ward and Kamal Hosneramezan was transferred to the detention centre of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from Orumieh Prison. It should be noted that this transfer has been carried out without any specific reason and contrary to the regulations and rules of the prisons internal affairs.
8. Relevant officials prevented the burying of Abbas Kholusi – a Baha’i citizen – in Kerman and forced his family to bury him in Rafsanjan.
9. A Judiciary official has reported the detention of 40 individuals in Birjand because of attending a party.
10. News media in Iran have reported the detention of six individuals in Dezful because of removing their veils and publishing some pictures in cyberspace.

 

Section 2: Social and Economic Rights

Reports concerning the situation regarding social and economic also point to the continued presence of unfavourable conditions in these areas for example, news reveals unsatisfactory employment and legal rights of workers in a number of units such as: workers of “Omran Suleh”, Esfahan Municipality, Sardasht Municipality, Lushan Municipality, Omidieh Municipality, “Air Cast Shawnberg” Cooperation, Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Complex, Nur Neyriz Sport Ring Cooperation, Mehrpush Avalan Factory in Sanandaj, Technical railway line of the country, “Iran Counter Making Factory”, Talesh Rubber Dam, “Gostaresh Rahahan” Cooperation, sacked workers of Nilu Tile Factory, personnel of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Karaj and state equity co-operative, ….. and some pre-school coaches of Karun.

1. Many workers have not received any payments for several months. The names of the offending units, number of workers affected, and the period of time when they have not paid (at the time of writing this report) are as follows:

Workers of Alvand Municipality for three months, Safarud Dam for seven months, “Borujerd Textile Factory” for two months, Sadeh Municipality for four months, “Iran Chuka” Factory for three months, Iran Switch Factory for seven months, Ahvaz National Steel Group for four months, Ahvaz underground train for 18 months, Compressor Making Factory in Tabriz for six months, “Moqadam Fabric” Complex for six months and Banta Abidar Commercial Complex Construction Project in Sanandaj for six months, around 25 hostess of “Borna Railgostar of Tehran” for three months and the firefighters of Khorramabad Municipality for three months.

2. Around 20 workers of Tabas Municipality were sacked from their jobs.

In addition, around 200 workers of Kavosh (Sanka) Reservoir Manufacturer, around 52 workers of Lamard Municipality and the workers of Kian Factory were sacked by the closure of these trading units.

3. The working place of Javad Zabihian – a Baha’i citizen – was sealed. Moreover, Sahba Haqbin, Samira Behinaein and Payam Gashtasbi – three Baha’i citizens – were fired from their jobs.
4. Police have reported the sealing of 38 trading units due to what has been called selling unconventional clothes.

 

Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment

Reports concerning the environmental issues in Iran during Mordad also point to the continued presence of unfavourable conditions in these areas to the extent that the density of dust particles in the air reached to 30 times more than the permitted level in some cities of Sistan Va Baluchestan.

In addition, one individual was injured in Paveh due to land mine explosion.

Conclusion:

At the end of the report for the month of Mordad of 1397, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights declares that, according to the Constitution, contracts such as the one on the Caspian Sea status should be approved by the Majlis. Therefore, such a contract does not have any legal validity without the parliament’s approval. If the Majlis does not approve the Caspian Sea contract, then it will be possible to discuss another agreement in the future and at the right time.

END