“The only way to save the country is to hear the voices of the protesters and respond to their long-awaited demands”

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Esfand 1396 [20 February to 20 March 2018]:

“The only way to save the country is to hear the voices of the protesters and respond to their long-awaited demands”

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 1396 [Iranian month corresponding to 20 February to 20 March 2018].

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has referred to the problems that the Iranians were encountering in 1396 [Iranian year ending 20 March 2018], and has  said that the continuation of this situation would bring about catastrophic consequences.

This people-instituted organization said in its report that the only way to save the country is to hear the voices of the protesters and respond to their long-awaited demands.

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 Supporters of Human Rights, the text of the report by the said center for the month of Esfand 1396, which has been published on 6^th of Farvardin 1397 [25 March 2018], is as follows:

A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in February-March 2018

Introduction:

The year 1396 ended while Iran was, and still is, besieged by many problems.

The high rate of unemployment, wrong economic plans and cases of astronomical embezzlement have led to an ever-increasing spread of poverty in society. That is why throughout the year, almost every week we witnessed protests that predominantly had economic roots and causes

The ineffectiveness of the Judiciary and its lack of independence led to people losing hope in the possibility of any restoration of justice and, as a result, the sense of anger among them erupted, and we saw the manifestations of that anger in the the street protests during the month of Dey [December 2017].

The protest of Iranian women against the mandatory veil, which was in the community from the early days of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and was expressed in a different way at different times, spread to the streets last year, and was labelled “the girls of the Enqelab Street”. Although these actions were conducted peacefully and in complete silence, it was confronted by arrests and false allegations such as “encouraging corruption” and these in turn and brought about more discontent.

Establishing parallel institutions that are often involved in political and factional struggles and using the Basij (mobilisation) forces for the suppression on critics, as well as the significant differences in the salaries and benefits of senior government executives with those of other employees, and most important of all, the ideological despotism of a segment of the political system, has placed the regime on a downhill slope. Obviously, the continuation of this situation will bring about some catastrophic consequences.

The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Esfand 1396, 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 2018

Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights

1. A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists 
2. During this month, more than 60 people were detained and the names of them have been specified. The names are as follows: Mirza Mohammad Mehrabi – a political activist; Mohammad Habibi – a teaches’ union activist; Banafsheh Cheraghi, Marzieh Amiri and Parisa Rafiei – three university students; Maryam Shariatmadari – a civil activist; Ali Afsoongar, Ali Salem, Peyman Chehrazi, Mehrdad Qazi and Javad Abbas Tavaloli, Mahshid Purasadi, Banafsheh Jamali, Zohreh Asadpur, Parastu Alahyari, Azadeh Behkish, Azar Gilani, Molud Hajizadeh, Atefeh Khosravi, Zahra Ahmadi, Bahar Aslani, Sudabeh Rakhsh, Shahla Entesari, Ayna Qotbiyaqubi – 18 women’s rights activists; Seyyed Hassan Shirazi – a religious activist who was criticizing the political system of Iran; Manuchehr Kokabi and Taqi Moradi – two members of the Gonabadi Darwishes Sect; Puria Nuri – a news photographer and a Gonabadi Darwishes Sect member; Alireza Farhadzadeh – a documentary filmmaker of environmental subjects; Hassan Ragh, Aref Zare, Hassan Zare, Abdolreza Kuhpayeh, Morteza Aryanejad – five environmental activists – and Seyyed Ali Seyyedzadeh – a political activist who was close to Mahmud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran.

Moreover, the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) has reported the detention of eight workers of the National Steel Group and police have reported the detention of a citizen due to attending in street protests in the town of Falavarjan.

On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Ammar Rahmani – a university student; Mitra Badrnejadzohdi – a Baha’i citizen; Mohammad Davari, Behnam Nurmohammadi and Hosseinali Mohammadialvar – three civil activists; Seyyed Peyman Pedrud – a follower of Yari Religion; Mohammad Samiepur, Mohammad Mobasheri, Javad Amozegar, Ali Bazrgar, Seyyed Reza Hamedi, Mohammadjafar Jesmani, Esmaeil Fakuri and Yazdan Mohammad Beigi – nine political activists – and Mohammadreza Naseriazad who was famous as Reza Pishru – a rapper. In addition, some news resources have reported the detention of some citizens from the west of Iran such cities as Maku, Marivan, Bukan, Naqadeh, Piranshahr and Ilam due to cooperating with Kurdish parties which were opposed to the government, as well as some citizens of Khuzestan Province.

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

2. Osman Esmaeili – a labour activist – was detained and has been sent to prison to spend two months in jail. Shapur Rashnu – a political activist from Khuzestan – He was already sentenced to imprisonment in exile on charges of propaganda against the regime and had been detained in Ahvaz’s intelligence office for some time. Finally; he was subsequently exiled to Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz for execution of his sentence.
3. Gholamhossein Karbaschi – a political activist (and former mayor of Tehran in 1990s) – was sentenced to one year in jail; Fataneh Nabilzadeh, Saqi Fadaei, Dori Amri, Mey Kholusi [name as given in the original] and Shayan Tafzili – five Baha’i citizens – each of them were sentenced to one year in prison; Sadeq Zibakalam – a university professor and political analyst – was sentenced to 18 months in jail and two years ban from political and social activities; Mohammadali Taheri – the founder of Erfan-e Halqeh [Mystic Ring] who is currently in prison – was sentenced to five years in jail again; Leila Hosseinzadeh – a university student activist – was sentenced to six years imprisonment and two years ban from leaving the country; Sina Rabiei – a university student – was sentenced to one year in jail and two years ban from leaving the country; Mohsen Haqshenas – a university student – was sentenced to one year in jail and two years ban from leaving the country; Mohammad Mahdavifar – a civil activist who is currently in prison – was sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of 40 million IRR; Matin Khaledi and Amin Zendehdel – two citizens from Orumieh – each of them were sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment, 60 months of which would be carried out; Naser Hassani and Safar Ordukhani – two citizens from Ormieh – each of them were sentenced to 12 months in jail and Monireh Soltanzadeh – a citizen from Orumieh – was sentenced to six months in jail; Ali Qadiri – a citizen from Tabriz – was sentenced to three months in jail which is suspended for one year and six months in jail; Mehdi Kukhian – a civil activist and manager of a Telegram Channel – was sentenced to 18 months in jail; Alam Qanbarzehi – a citizen from Sistan va Baluchestan Province – was sentenced to five years in jail, and Reza Achrash – a citizen from Susangerd – was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Moreover, the prosecutor of Tehran has reported the issuance of two years imprisonment sentence for one of the women who was against compulsory veil in Tehran and the deputy of prosecutor of Mashhad has reported the issuance of imprisonment sentences against 11 people because of protest actions against the political system as well as the destruction of public property and mosques.

On the other hand, the appeal court has confirmed the sentences of Akbar Delbari – a member of the Gonabadi Darwishes Sect – who was sentenced to nine months in jail; Maryam Delbari – a Gonabadi Darwishes Sect member – was sentenced to 18 months in jail and two years exile to Bushehr City and compulsory service in the women seminary in the mentioned city.

Siamak Mirzaei – an imprisoned citizen – was sentenced to three years imprisonment and one year of compulsory stay in Tabas after the reduction of his original sentence; Nazmin Heidari – a jailed citizen – was sentenced to 15 years in jail after the reduction of his original sentence and Sakhi Rigi – a jailed citizen – was sentenced to 10 years in prison after the reduction of his original sentence.

4. Relevant officials have reported the murdering of Mohammad Raji – a Gonabadi Darwishes Sect member who was detained during the incidents in Pasdaran Street [northern Tehran] – and news media have reported the death of Taleb Bastami – a university student – in prison, at the time of his arrest.
5. Rahim Basak, Qorban Alipur, Keramat Pam and Esmaeil Bakhshi – four labour activists –were temporarily released on bail until their next hearing.
6. Relevant officials prevented Maryam Mombeini – the wife of Kavus Seyyedemami who died in prison during the month of Bahman [Feb 2018] – from leaving the country.
7. Hassan Alekasir, Amir Alekasir, Majid Amiri – three labour activists; Akhtar Nemati, Naeim Nemati, Rashid Baluch and Omran Jama’at – four citizens from Chabahar – were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence and Abdolsattar Hosseinbar – a religious and cyber activist – was summoned to the police department.
8. The agents of a security institution prevented Seyyed Mohammad Khatami from attending in the anniversary ceremony of the National Library opening.
9. B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
10. The officials of the Islamic Azad University prevented Reza Davariardakani, Sadeq Zibakalam and Gudarz Eftekharjahromi from continuing to teach in this university.
11. News media of Iran have reported the education ban on four nursing students from Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences for one year and the secretary of the trade union central council at that university for two years.
12. Relevant officials have prevented Vesal Heravi – a Baha’i citizen – from continuing education at the university.
13. Relevant officials prevented the concerts of Alireza Qorbani in Sari and Torqabeh cities, Farzad Farzin in Sabzevar and Shahrekord cities, “Vaziri Band” in Torqabeh of Mashhad and Mohammad Motamedi in Esfahan.
14. Press jury have found the editor in chief of “Merhnameh” Journal guilty.
15. According to Faraj Alipur – a singer and Lori Kamanche [traditional instrument] player – officials have been preventing the broadcast of the artist’s audio and video in IRIB for five years until now.
16. Relevant officials prevented the entering of Ehsan Babamir to the student dormitory because of the students’ protests at the University of Art.
17. Security forces and police prevented the gathering of International Women’s Day in Tehran.
18. Police have reported the blocking of 200 Telegram channels on a daily basis.
19. C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
20. Some two 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. Available details are as follows:

News media of Iran have reported the execution of two individuals in Gachsaran in public due to robbery and murder.

On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported some executions in the prisons of Khoy, Ilam, Hamedan and Orumieh; this news has not been confirmed or rejected by the Judiciary officials or state-controlled media.

2. News media in Iran have reported the issuance of death sentences for Mohammad Salas – a Gonabadi Darwishes Sect member – due to murder; one individual in Fars Province because of murder; one individual in Tabriz because of murder; one individual in Tehran due to armed robbery and four individuals in Tehran because of murder; one individual in Shiraz due to armed robbery and two individuals in Khorramabad due to the crime of murder.

In addition, the death sentences of four individuals in Tehran due to murder and one individual in Karaj because of murder were confirmed in the Supreme Court.

3. News media in Iran have reported the execution of lashes sentence against one individual in public in Sirjan because of a gang fight in a hospital.
4. News media in Iran have reported the issuance of lashes sentences in Tehran Province due to sexual relationship outside marriage.

Moreover, the lashes sentences for four individuals in Tehran Province because of robbery and kidnapping were confirmed in the appeal court.

5. The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such as Hamidreza Amini, Hamzeh Darwish and Alireza Golipur – are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment. In addition, the officials of the prison prevented Shokufeh Yadollahi – a prisoner Darwish – from being dispatched to a medical center outside the prison because of the refusal of the prisoner to wear a prisoner’s uniform and handcuffs while being dispatched to the medical center.
6. Siamak Mirzaei, Alireza Tavakoli, Alireza Golipur, Reza Aqajani, Mokhtar Asadi and Abdolfattah Soltani went on hunger strike in protest at what they claim to be undesirable conditions for prisoners and the violations of their legal rights.
7. Mostafa Safari, Hadi Dehnavi, Kasra Nuri, Faramarz Mangari, Salehedin Moradi, Reza Entesari, Mohammad Karimaei, Kianush Abbaszadeh, Mostafa Abdi and Mohammad Sharifimoqadam – 10 Gonabadi Darwishes Sect members who were detained after the incidents of Pasdaran Street and were kept in Fashapuyeh Prison – were transferred to the Ward No.209 of Evin Prison. It should be noted that this transfer has been carried out without any specific reason and is contrary to the regulations and rules of the prisons internal affairs.
8. The Basij Organisation has reported the detention of 50 individuals in Lavasan, deputy of the prosecutor of Mashhad has reported the detention of 60 individuals in Mashhad and police have reported the detention of 10 individuals in Abadan because of attending parties.
9. The cemetery of Baha’i citizens in Kerman was sealed by a judicial authority because of what is called health and environmental issues.
10. Officials prevented the entry of women to the Azadi stadium to watch a football match and took them away from the stadium under guard.

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: “Iran Counter Making” Factory, “Iran Metallurgy Powder” Factory, Qaeimshahr Textile Factory No.1, Yasuj Municipality, Marivan Municipality, Travers Contract Company, Hepco Company, Tabriz Ball Bearings Factory, Simgu Valve Factory, Oromieh Steel Factory, Ilam Gas Refinery, Repairs of terminals and petrochemical tanks of Mahshahr and Pasargad Stone Mill, teachers from different cities, Technical and Electrical Staff of Raja Company, Ahab Company and Cooperative companies of Sahameh Edalat, Power substations operators across the country and retires of Kiyan Tire Factory.

On the other hand, 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 70 workers of Loshan Municipality for four months, some workers of Nilufar Tile and Ceramic Factory for four months, 60 workers of “Pars Pamchal” for seven months, 200 workers of “Iran Poplin Raht” for three months, workers of Persian Gulf International Shipping Company for two months, some workers of Alvand Municipality for three months, workers of “Pars Milang” Factory for four months, workers of “Qazvin Steel” and “Arman Shafaq” for three months, workers of “Forqani Textile Group” for four months, some contract workers of Ahvaz Telecommunication Company for five months and some workers of Borujerd Road Constructing Project for six months.

Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment

1. One child was killed due to mine explosion in Shush City. In addition, nine individuals were injured in Dehloran, Saqez, Qasreh Shirin, Baneh and Shush due to five mine explosions.
2. Two students were wounded because of the explosion of war remnants in a high school in Kuhdasht.

Conclusion:

At the end of the report for the month of Esfand of 1396, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, declares that the only way to save the country is to hear the voices of the protesters and respond to their long-awaited demands, otherwise the spring of 1397 that has just stgarted is not going to be “joyful”.

End.