The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Aban 1397 [October-November 2018]:
Mismanagement is the cause of the economic problems, not just sanctions
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 Aban 1397 [Iranian month corresponding to 23 October to 21 November 2018]:
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has referred to theIranian state’s propaganda which tries to introduce economic sanctions as the cause of economic problems and declared: “Although sanctions damage the economy of the country, the current turmoil had started before the sanctions, and mismanagement and widespread corruption are the cause of these conditions.”
This people-instituted organization has referred to the teachers’ strike and workers’ protests and declared: “Misguided foreign policy and wrong economic policy and corruption have reduced the wealthy country of Iran to a point where workers lay out their empty tablecloth on the streets [as symbol of their poverty] and teachers are forced to stage strikes.”
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 Aban 1397, which has been published on 3rd of Azar 1397 [24 November 2018], is as follows:
A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in October-November 2018
Introduction:
During the month of Aban, similar to the previous month of Mehr, following a collective decision by teachers, a number of them presented themselves at the school office but refrained from attending the classroom, and with their silence, they expressed their legitimate objections – which are related to their specific profession and guild – in the most peaceful manner possible. Unfortunately, state officials arrested some of them instead of responding to the demands of this group. Although, some of them were released on bail after some days, the preparation of a criminal case for one of the most respected sections of society, and worse still, because they had staged the most peaceful type of protest, is certainly abhorrent and shameful.
Moreover, the situation of worker, especially the workers of the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory who were prosecuted and arrested in protests against their unpaid wages and the ongoing unemployment crisis, also drew everyone’s attention during the month of Aban. In the face of the citizens’ repeated requests to pay attention to the livelihood of workers, state officials have continued to ignore these issues and have not provided any response to the plight of hunger, apart from sending them to jail.
Iranian political system’s continual propaganda tries to introduce economic sanctions as the cause of economic problems. Although sanctions damage the economy of the country, the current turmoil had started before the sanctions, and mismanagement and widespread corruption are the cause of these conditions. Misguided foreign policy and misguided economic policy and corruption have reduced the rich country of Iran to a point where workers resort to laying out their empty tablecloth on the street and teachers are forced to strike.
The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Aban 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 October-November 2018
Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights
- A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists
- During this month, more than 75 people were detained and the names of them have been specified as follows:
Ruzbeh Alipur, Babak Alipur and Sepideh Qolian – three civil activists; Masud Kazemi, Saba Azarpeik, Puyan Khoshal and Vahid Ahang – four media activists; Seyyed Mohammadmehdi Sadrosadati – a religious activist – and Mostafa Badkubehi – a poet and a former political prisoner.
In addition, some teachers were detained because of their strike.These included individuals such as Fatemeh Bahmani, Mohamamd Kord, Mohammdreza Ramezanzadeh, Mohammadsaleh Shokri, Saeid Haqparast, Ali Forutan, Hamidreza Rajaei, Hossein Ramezanpur, Mohammadali Zahmatkesh, Piruz Nami, Hassan Johari, Omid Shahmohammadi, Ali Korushat, Mohammad Robati and Mrs. Vaezi.
Moreover, some workers of Meyduk Copper Complex and Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Complex were detained due to their strike and protest, including Esmaeil Bakhshi, Mohsen Arman, Seyyed Hassan Fazeli, Moslem Armand and Mohammad Khanifar.
On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Farzad Bahadori, Shahriar Khodapanah, Farid Amini, Nasrin Khajeh, Mojgan Khoshal, Kambiz Misaqi, Monika Alizadeh (Aqdasi), Ali Ahmadi, Shabnam Isakhani, Sepideh Keshavarz, Shahrzad Nazifi and Kheirollah Bakhshi – 12 Baha’i citizens; Behnam Ersali and Davud Rasuli – two newly converted Christians; Hakimeh Ahmadi, Sajjad Afruzian, Moharram Kamrani, Habib Sasanian, Rahman Qasemi, Abolfazl Fakuri, Nasim Sadeqi, Reza Zarei, Ebrahim Ranjbar, Moharram Valipur (Khoshnam), Gholamreza Rashidi, Vahid Najafi, Javad Ahmadi Yakaneli and Sadollah Sasani – 14 citizens from Azarbaijan; Hossein Saeidi – a citizen from Hamidieh; Yusef Savari – a citizen from Dashteh Azadegan; and Emad Bayanat, a citizen from Ahvaz.
There are other cases of arrest of protested citizens in Aban 1397: The detention of citizens in some cities such as Marivan, Maku, Oshnavieh and Sanandaj because of various reasons such as communicating and cooperating with Kurdish opposition parties; the detention of some citizens in Khuzestan Province because of various reasons such as armed attack on the parade of armed forces in Ahvaz and the detention of some citizens of Sarbaz.
On the other hand, the police of Tehran have reported the detention of 15 individuals – without mentioning their names – because of what has been called as the publication of unauthorized and misleading books.
It should be noted that some of the detainees were released temporarily on bail after a few days until the date of their trial.
Moreover, Vurya Khosravi, Shugard Gulabi and Zaniar Gulabi – three environmental activists – and Elham Ferdosizadeh – a citizen from Esfahan – were detained during the last days of the month of Mehr.
- Mohamamd Najafi – a lawyer – and Abbas Safari – a civil activist – were sent to prison for three years incarceration; Mey Kholusi , Saqi Fadaei, Zabihollah Raufi and Dori Amri – four Baha’i citizens – were sent to prison to spend one year in jail and Majid Azizi – a civil activist – was sent to jail for one year imprisonment.
Also, the appeal court reduced the sentences of Hassan Alijani – one of the detainees of the protests in Dey 1396 (Jan 2018) who is currently in prison – to six years incarceration and a 74 lashes sentence and Behruz Zare – one of the detainees of the protests in Mordad 1397 (Aug 2018) who is currently in jail – was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
- Reza Mehrdad – a member of the city council of Neyshabur – was sentenced to one year in jail; Mohamamd Raji – a member of Gonabadi Darwishes Sect – was sentenced to 91 days in prison; Naser Baqeri – a Baha’i citizen; was sentenced to nine months imprisonment; Faez Baqeri – a Baha’i citizen – was sentenced to three years in prison; Ruha Imani – a Baha’i citizen – was sentenced to nine months in jail; Olduz Qasemi – a citizen from Azarbaijan – was sentenced to one year in jail; Farajollah Bangaleh and Mitra Badrnejad – two Baha’i citizens – each were sentenced to five years imprisonment; Afshin Bolbolan, Saham Armin, Milad Davardan, Farhang Sahba, Anush Rayneh – five Baha’i citizens – each was sentenced to six years in prison; Bahareh Zeini (Sobhanian), Fuzan Rashidi, Sepideh Ruhani – three Baha’i citizens – each was sentenced to four years imprisonment.
Moreover, Majid Latifi, Behruz Hassanvand, Hamidreza Ahmadi, Amir Hushangpur Farzanegan, Morteza Azizi, Hadi Fazeli, Abolfazl Karimi, Farid Kudani, Majid Yahyaei, Amir Fatahpur, Yaser Qoli, Amir Faridafshar, Mehdi Abedi, Ali Maleki and Behruz Valashjerdi – 15 workers – each were sentenced to imprisonment from one year to two and half years and 74 lashes which have been suspended for five years.
On the other hand, the appeal court issued the five years and three months imprisonment of Ebrahim Madadi – a labour activist.
- According to some news websites, a group of civil activists detained for a short time while demanded to visit and support Hashem Khastar – a retired teacher and former trade union prisoner. Hashem Khastar was admitted in the mental health sector of a hospital by an unspecified centre or organization.
- Mehdi Moqadari – a member of the city council of Esfahan – was interrogated by the security police.
- The house of Mahvash Edalati (Zaeri) – a Baha’i citizen – was searched by relevant officials and some of her personal belongings and religious books were seized.
- B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
- The Press Jury found the editors in chiefsof “Arman-e Emruz” Journal, “Bahar” Newspaper and “Bahare Javedaneh” Monthly guilty.
- Ceremonies marking the death anniversary of Ali Ashraf Darwishian – a [veteran Kurdish] writer – were prevented by relevant officials.
- Relevant officials prevented the performance of play called “Fondoo and Liz”.
- The police of Tehran have reported the finding and seizure of more than 333,000 volume of books which have been called as unauthorized and misleading.
- C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
- At least seven 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:
Vahid Mazlumin and Mohamamd Esmaeil Qasemi were executed in Tehran. The Judiciary officials have said that those individuals have been accused of economic crimes.
Three individuals were executed in public in Shiraz. State-controlled media have reported that their crime was armed robbery.
One individual was executed in the prison of the city of Nur. The Judiciary official has reported that his crime was murder. One individual was executed in Sanandaj. Some news websites have reported that his crime was first-degree murder.
On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported executions in the prisons ofBandarabbas, Rajaei Shahr, Zahedan, Zanjan and Ardakan; these reports have not been confirmed or denied by the Judiciary officials or state-controlled media.
- News media in Iran have reported the issuance of death sentences against two individuals in Khoy and two individuals in Tehran because of armed robbery; one individual in Esfahan, one individual in Hamedan and one individual in Tehran due to murder and two individuals in Fars Province because of economic crimes.
In addition, The Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentences of one individual in Kerman due to trafficking and possession of drugs and two individuals in Tehran Province because of rape.
- News media in Iran have reported the issuance of lashes sentences against the defendants of a case relating to the local municipality organisation and some members of the city council of Marvdasht because of economic crimes, two government officials in Kohkiluyeh Va Boeirahmad Province due to administrative crimes, one court judge because of accepting bribe, one individual in Tehran because of having sexual relationship outside marriage and one individual in Rasht due to cruelty to animals.
- The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such as Negin Qadamina, Alireza Golipur, Hamzeh Darwish, Shahram Pakhsha, Omid Saed Mucheshmi, Gholamreza (Shuresh) Morovati and Motaleb Ahmadian – are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment. In addition, Saeid Malekpur and Ahmadreza Jalali have been returned to the prison despitethe end of the treatment process.
- Some prisoners such as Abdolreza Qanbari have gone on hunger strike in protest at what they claim to be undesirable conditions for prisoners and the violations of their legal rights.
- At the time of preparation this report, the individual, or individuals, who extracted the body of Shamsi Aqdasi Azamian – a Baha’i citizen – from her grave after burial and then abandoned her it in the desert, have not been identified by the authorities..
- A Judiciary official has reported the detention of 50 individuals in Maragheh because of attending a party.
Section 2: Social and Economic Rights
Reports concerning the situation regarding social and economic also point to the continued presence of unfavourable conditions in that area. For example, news reports reveal unsatisfactory employment and legal rights of workers in a number of units such as:
Workers of Pars Milang Factory, AhvazUrban Railway Construction Project, Alvand Municipality, Iran National Steel Factory, Jahan Vegetable Oil Factory, Shushtar Municipality, Farabi Petrochemical Cooperation, Bistoon Petrochemical Cooperation, Tehran No.6 Urban Railway Construction Project, Railways of the Southeast, Ring Making Factory in Mashhad, Abadan Refinery, Rangin Nakh Factory in Semnan, sacked workers of Nilu Tile Factory, retired workers of Rangin Nakh and the personnel of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Karaj.
- 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:
Some 120 workers of “Compressor Making Factory” in Tabriz for five months, some workers of the Technical railway line of the country for two or three months, “Pars Pamchal Factory” for seven months, some workers of Lushan Municipality for five months and around 370 workers of the Road Administration of Kordestan Province for three months.
- Some workers of automotive company in Bam New Citadel were fired from their jobs.
- Relevant officials sealed the business premises of Behruz Habibi, Hosseinali Habibi, Behnam Habibi, Bahador Ahmadi, Kambiz Azadi, Varqa Derakhshan, Sohrab Derakhshan, Behruz Zohdi, Jahanbakhsh Afsharzadeh, Feizollah Qanavatian, Aram Azadi, Arman Azadi and Kurosh Jaberi – 13 Baha’i citizens. Moreover, two institutions active in the field of teaching music to children were sealed in Shiraz because of hiring two Baha’i citizens – Nura Purmoradian and Elaheh Samizadeh.
Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment
Reports concerning the environment situation also point to the continued presence of unfavourable conditions in these areas to the extent that, the concentrations of dust particle levels in the air reached to 31-48 time more than the permitted level in some cities of the Sistan Va Baluchestan Province in the month of Aban.
In addition, one individual was killed because of a mine explosion in Shush. One individual was injured in Piranshahr after a landmine blew off. Two individuals were also killed and another individual was injured because of a landmine explosion in the town Saravan [all place names are close to the Iraqi border in the west and southwest Iran].
Conclusion:
At the end of the report for the month of Aban of 1397, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rightshas reiterated that the Iranian government is a signatory to human rights conventions and as such is committed to their implementation. It declared that one of the most important rights in these conventions insists that the financial resources of each country should be spent on ensuring welfare and prosperity and improving the living conditions of its people. This is something that has been forgotten in Iran for many years.
