Situation of human rights in Iran in Esfand 1397 [February – March 2019]
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Esfand 1397 [February 2019 – March 2019]
The appointment of a harsh judge with no knowledge of the science of law as the Head of Judiciary Power shows the political atmosphere is becoming increasingly closed
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 Esfand 1397 [Iranian month corresponding to 20 February to 20 March 2019].
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi has referred to the appointment of Ebrahim Raeisi as the Head of the Judiciary and stated that, the appointment of a harsh judge with no knowledge of the science of law as the Head of Judiciary shows the political atmosphere is becoming increasingly closed.
This people-instituted organisation stated that by this appointment, the Supreme Leader had in fact reacted and responded to the people who had not agreed to vote for his favorite candidate in the last presidential election and added: ”Unfortunately, this act is not a rare occurrence in the 40 year history of the Islamic Republic. Many times, the Leader and high-ranking officials, contrary to the majority’s view, have pursued their own objectives and have not paid the slightest attention to the demands of the people. This mode of governance is the result of the political structure of the state and is rooted in the constitution.”
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has also written: ”With the existing constitution, no reforms are possible and the constitution must shift to two important axes. The first is the separation of religion from the state so that clerics have the same rights as ordinary people. The second axis is the rejection of the Velayat-e Faqih [Guardianship of a senior cleric] and the return of real and genuine, as against formal and ceremonial, power to the Iranian people.”
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 Esfand 1397, which has been published on 6th of Farvardin 1398 [26 March 2019], is as follows:
A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in February-March 2019
Introduction:
The year 1397 ended while the economic pressure is on the majority of the people in addition to the widespread human rights violations in various areas, including restrictions on freedom of expression, environmental degradation and the spread of corruption to the extent that the food basket of more than 90 percent of the households is shrinking all the time while the remaining ten percent have accumulated legendary wealth by misusing their powers and connections with the ruling elite.
In the past year, almost every day people have witnessed street protests. Although the protests’ demands were economic, they were underpinned by politics and were focused on the wrong policies of the government. State officials are declaring that economic sanctions are responsible for the dire economic conditions. However, in the past two and a half years, when there were no sanctions, there was still no improvement in living conditions of the people.
The most important factor responsible for the spread of poverty is the large-scale embezzlements. However, although a handful of people who are suspected of these crimes have been called to trial, it is clear that those who are tried and convicted are all at the service of the political power holders, and the names of the main perpetrators are kept secret and they are immune from prosecution.
In 1396, during the presidential election, the majority of voters were dissatisfied with the performance of Hassan Rouhani during his first term of his presidency but still reluctantly voted for him, because they did not want to see a victory by his opponent, Ebrahim Raeisi, who was the favourite of the Supreme Leader. Thus, they again showed the Leader that they were not willing to obey his wishes. Unfortunately, however, during the month of Esfand, the Leader appointed Ebrahim Raeisi as the Head of the Judiciary, thereby giving him the responsibility to safeguard the lives and livelihood of the same people who had already shown their disdain for him.
In 1359 [1980-81], Ebrahim Raeisi was appointed as an assistant judge at the Revolutionary Court of Karaj. Even though he was very young and inexperienced with no knowledge in law, he ably demonstrated his full loyalty and submission [to the higher authorities] and quickly progressed through the ranks.
The peak of his judicial career was the summer of 1988, when he became a part of the three-member board, known in the legal literature as the “Death Board”. The board issued and executed the death sentences for thousands of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, to the extent that Ayatollah Montazeri, who was at the time the successor-designate of the then Supreme Leader, objected to those decisions and described them as the greatest crime in the Islamic Republic.
The appointment of a harsh judge with no knowledge of the science of law as the Head of Judiciary shows the political atmosphere is becoming increasingly closed. By this appointment, the Supreme Leader in fact reacted and responded to the people who had not agreed to vote for his favorite candidate in the last presidential election. Unfortunately, this act is not a rare occurrence in the 40 year history of the Islamic Republic. Many times, the Leader and high-ranking officials, contrary to the majority’s view, have pursued their own objectives and have not paid the slightest attention to the demands of the people. This mode of governance is the result of the political structure of the state and is rooted in the constitution.
The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Esfand 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 February-March 2019
Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights
- A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists
- During this month, more than 32 people were detained and the names of them have been specified, who were:
Saeid Naseri, Hamid Naseri – two Baha’i citizens – and Rahim Qolami – a cultural activist.
On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Peyman Naqshbandi – a teacher; Hatam Malahi – a Sunni religious activist; Tohid Amiramini and Kiyanush Aslani – two citizens; Arezu Miraki – an athlete; Babak Hosseinzadeh, Behnam Akhlaqi and Mehdi Khatibi – three newly converted Christians; Yusef Kakavand and Ali Rezaei – two citizens from Kakavand in Lorestan Province; and Saman Behfar – a singer.
There are other cases of arrest of protesting citizens in Esfand 1397: the detention of some citizens from Khuzestan Province such as Hassan Sobhipur, Hadi Marvani; the detention of some citizens in Sanandaj, Bukan, Oshnavieh, Saqez, Piranshahr, Kermanshah, Sanandaj and Marivan and Oromieh such as Aram Bahrami and Asu Ramezanzadeh because of various reasons such as communicating and cooperating with Kurdish opposition parties; the detention of citizens in Sistan Va Baluchestan Province – around 14 individuals – such as Maryam Gomshadzehi because of explosion of a car bomb. Moreover, some citizens have been arrested due to protesting against non-payment of salaries at Friday prayer in Sadra, some fans of an Azarbaijani soccer team have been detained such as Yusef Salahshur due to political slogans and some citizens of Torbat-e Heidarieh have been detained because of belief in a religious movement with the theme of Mahdism.
It should be noted that some of the detainees were released temporarily on bail after a few days until the date of their trial.
- Ali Moeini – a civil activist – was sent to prison for one year.
The confirmed sentences of the 22 members of Gonabadi Darwishes Sect who are currently in jail and are as follows:
Mostafa Abdi was sentenced to 26 years and three months imprisonment, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of ban on social and media activities and two years ban from leaving the country; Reza Yavari was sentenced to nine years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Reza Entesari was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Sina Entesari was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Morteza Kangarlu was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Salehedin Moradi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Majid Moradi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Babak Moradi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Sekhavat Salimi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Reza Sigarchi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Saeid Durandish was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Ahmad Iranikhah was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Mojtaba Beyranvand was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Mohammadreza Darwishi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Mehdi Keyvanlu was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Javad Khamisabadi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Rasul Hoveida was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Ardeshir Ashayeri was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Jafar Ahmadi was sentenced to seven years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Saeid Soltanpur was sentenced to six years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Amir Nuri was sentenced to six years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Mohammad Sharifi Moqadam was sentenced to 12 years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Borazjan, two years of social and media deprivation and two years ban from leaving the country; Kasra Nuri was sentenced to 12 years in jail, 74 lashes sentence, two years exile to Salas Babajani, two years deprivation of membership in political parties and political and social media groups and parties and two years ban from leaving the country.
In addition, Barzan Mohammadi – a citizen who is currently in jail – was sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment in the appeal court; Masumeh Askari – a retired teacher who is currently in prison – was sentenced to five years incarceration; Ensieh Abdolhosseini – a citizen who has been detained during the incidents of Dey 1392 (Dec 2017-Jan 2018) and is currently in prison – was sentenced to three years imprisonment; Masud Kiani – a citizen who is currently in jail – was sentenced to 10 years incarceration; Arsham Rezaei – a citizen who is currently in jail – was sentenced to eight years and six months imprisonment and Mehdi Miri – a citizen from Tehran – who has been detained during the incidents of Dey 1392 (Dec 2017-Jan 2018) and is currently in prison – was sentenced to three years in prison.
Qader Mohammadzadeh – a citizen – was transferred to Yazd Prison and Mohammad Mahdavifar – a civil activist – was transferred to the city of Sarbaz for the execution of their exile sentences.
The defrocking sentence of Seyyed Hassan Aqamiri – a religious activist – was executed.
Mohammad Davari – a civil activist – was summoned to prison to complete his five months imprisonment.
Moreover, Nahid Behshid – a member of the Mystic Ring (Erfan-eh Halqeh) was detained and sent to prison in the month of Bahman (Jan-Feb 2019) to spend five years in jail.
- Rezvaneh Ahmadkhanbeigi – a citizen from Tehran – was sentenced to four years and five months in jail; Amirmehdi Sedeiqara and Ali Aminamleshi – two citizens from Tehran – each were sentenced to 91 days imprisonment; Ruzbeh Alipur – a citizen from Rasht – was sentenced to two years incarceration; Babak Alipur – a citizen from Rasht – was sentenced to five years in jail; Mokhtar Zarei – a citizen from Sanandaj – was sentenced to three years in prison; Razgar Mohammadi – a citizen from Piranshahr – was sentenced to six months imprisonment; Peyman mirzadeh – a citizen from Oromieh – was sentenced to two years incarceration; Behnam Ebrhimzadeh – a labour activist – was sentenced to six years in prison; Nima Safar – a civil activist – was sentenced to eight years imprisonment; Ghazaleh Baqeri Tari – a Baha’i citizen – was sentenced to five years in jail; Khaled Hosseini – a citizen from Sanandaj – was sentenced to three years imprisonment; Omid Shahmohammadi – a teachers union activist – was sentenced to one years in prison and Mohammadsaber Malakraeisi – who is currently in prison – was sentenced to six months imprisonment in another case.
Jafar Azimzadeh – a labour activist who is currently in jail – was sentenced to 30 lashes due to what has been called as absence after his leave [not returning to jail after the end of his leave].
Moreover, Nasrin Sotudeh – lawyer who is currently in prison – was sentenced to 33 years imprisonment (12 years of which will be carried out) and 148 lashes sentence, and Abolfazl Qadayani – a political activist – was sentenced to three years in jail (2 years of which will be carried out) and transcription of three volumes of books with specific titles.;
On the other hand, the appeal court has confirmed the five-year imprisonment sentence of Davud Razavi – a labour activist.
- The Preliminary Board for Administrative Offences at the Department of Education in Khorasan Razavi Province has sentenced Mohammadhossein Sepehri – a teachers’ union activist – to six months suspension from his job.
- Family members of Esmaeil Bakhshi – a labour activist – and Sepideh Qolian – a civil activist – were summoned by the security authorities. In addition, the house of Ahmad Bahamin – a Baha’i citizen – was searched by relevant officials and some of the personal belongings of his family were seized. Kiyumars Amiri – a civil activist from Kermanshah – was summoned by relevant officials and has been interrogated.
- Abutaleb Farniapur – Deputy Governor of Shahriar – was dismissed following the publication of a letter about the Engineers Day and his congratulations to Mir Hossein Musavi.
- B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
- The publication of “Qanun” Newspaper was stopped by the order of the prosecutor’s office. Press Jury found the editor in chief of “Donyaye Football” Journal guilty.
- Relevant officials prevented the holding of two concerts in the cities of Firuzeh and Kashan.
- Relevant authorities prevented the holding of death anniversary services for Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq at his burial ground.
- News websites have reported the destruction of a mosque, which belongs to Sunni citizens in Chabahar.
- News websites have reported that Hamid Hami – a pop singer – was banned from further artistic activities.
- C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
- At least six 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:
One individual was executed in public in Jahrom, one individual in public in Aq Qala, one individual in Shirvan and three people in Khorasan Jonubi Province due to murder, armed conflict and possession and trafficking of drugs. News media in Iran have declared that their crime was murder. [as published in the original Farsi]
- The Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentences against two individuals in Tehran Province and one individual in Markazi Province because of murder.
- News media in Iran have reported the issuance of lashes sentences against three defendants in the case of former executives of the Sarmayeh Bank, four defendants in the case of Tourism and Investment Pardisban Company and 18 defendants in the case of the Municipality and the City Council in Marvdasht.
- The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such as Mohammad Banazadeh, Amir Khizi, Narges Mohmmadi, Reza Malek, Changiz Kheiri and Abolqasem Fuladvand – are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment.
- Some prisoners such as Barzan Mohammadi, Alireza Shirmohammadi, Meisam Bahramabadi, Ali Bazazordeh and Nazar Zaka – went on hunger strike in protest at what they claim to be undesirable conditions for prisoners and violations of their legal rights.
- Hassan Momtaz Sarvestani was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran from Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz; Moein Khodadadi, Ayub Badri, Loqman Morovati, Mokhtar Morovati, Reza Kamrani, Yasin Ramezani, Hadi Veiesi and Jabar Qaderi were transferred to Rajaei Shahr Prison from Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah. It should be noted that, these transfers have been made without mentioning a specific reason and are contrary to the internal rules of the prisons.
- Arash Sadeqi and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraei – a couple who are currently in prison – haver not been permitted to meet each other regularly. Moreover, Hassan Sadeqi and Fatemeh Masni – another couple who are in prison – have been prevented from visiting each other for the last two months.
- Police have reported the arrest of a couple in the city of Arak, because they held their marriage proposal ceremony in public.
- News media have reported that the police have summoned the organisers of a fashion and clothing event in Lavasan.
Section 2: Social and Economic Rights
Reports concerning 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:
Eastern Alborz Coal Mine, “NGL Dehloran” Construction Project, Jahan Edible Oil Factory, Phase 12 of Pars Jonubi, Abadan Refinery centeral workshop, Golnar Edible Oil Factory, Technical building lines in Hormozgan Railways, Lorestan, Zagros, Mashhad, Andimeshk and Azarbaijan; Rasht Municipality, retirees of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Complex, personnel of Saham-e Edalat (Equity Shares), working and retired nurses and teachers in Kermanshah.
- Many workers have not received their wages 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:
The workers of Andimeshk Municipality for 11 months, workers of Maskan-e Mehr Project in Pardis for eight months, personnel of a firefighting stations of Abadan for five months, workers of phases 20 and 21 in Asaluyeh [oil and gas project] for six months, Maintenance workers of Karaj Railway for three months, workers of Borujerd Municipality for eight months, workers of Parsabad Moghan Municipality for nine months and 32 workers of Sedeh Municipality for six to seven months.
- Some 25 workers of Mahabad Vaccine Factory were dismissed due to the closure of this production unit.
- The working premises of Fatemeh Masni and Hassan Sadeqi – a couple who are currently in prison – was confiscated.
- Police have reported the official closure and sealing off of 669 trading units in Esfahan Province during a period one year because of what they have described as the “Tathir [purification or cleansing mostly in a spiritual and moral context] Plan”.
Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment
A teenager was killed due to a mine explosion in the town of Dehloran.
Conclusion:
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has repeatedly stated that with the existing constitution, no reforms are possible and the constitution must undergo reforms around two important axes. The first is the separation of religion from the state so that clerics have the same rights as ordinary people. The second axis is the rejection of the Velayat-e Faqih and the return of real and genuine, as against formal and ceremonial, power to the Iranian people. The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights believes this is similar to prescribing a bitter medicine for a dying patient; if the Islamic Republic of Iran refuses to drink this bitter medicine, it certainly is not going to survive.
End
