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 Ordibehesht 1397 [Iranian month corresponding to 21 April to 21 May 2018]
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has referred to the non-violent form of protests, and stated that power-holders engaged in suppressing the protesters by resorting to different ploys and inflaming the campaign atmosphere.
This people-instituted organization has referred to the way the protests of Gonabadi Darwishes in Pasdaran Avenue in Tehran as an example and said: “The entry of the Basij force into a peaceful demonstration with the intentions to stir up and inflame the atmosphere, and as a result, security and judicial forces were given a free hand for extensive arrests and issuing unfair sentences. ”
The Center for the Defenders of Human Rights has referred to the situation of the arrested Darwishes and those who have been sent to the court after the completion of their indictments. It stated such behaviours were part of the injustice that has been committed against the most peaceful civil grouping, and therefore, demanded a halt to this process.
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 Ordibehesht 1397, which has been published on 2nd of Khordad 1397 [23 May 2018], is as follows:
A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in April-May 2018
Introduction:
Non-violent protests and civil resistance are the most effective ways to force non-democratic governments to eventually give up power to its main owners, that is to say the “citizens”, and for this reason, they often face government violence. Even when protesters ultimately protest peacefully for their right, the proprietors of power resort to various tricks so as to infiltrate the campaign space and heavily suppress the protesters. The manner of dealing with the “Gonabadi Darwishes” and their protests is an example of such behaviour. During the final days of Bahman 1396 (month starting 21 Jan 2018), while they protested in a completely peaceful way about the unlawful house arrest of their leader (Dr. Nurali Tabandeh) and the arrest of several of their companions; the state’s monopolist wing, with the involvement of a number of Basij forces on the street, caused clashes and violence, resulting in the deaths and injuries of several Basij members and protesters.
The involvement of the Basij forces in a peaceful demonstration with the intentions to stirring up and inflaming the atmosphere, and as a result, the security and judicial forces were given a free hand for massive arrests and unfair sentencing, to the extent that on 29 Farvardin (18 Apr 2018), the prosecutor of Tehran has reported the issuance of 350 indictments against the detained Darwishes of Pasdaran Avenue. This is while a number of detainees are still under interrogation and no indictment has been issued against them as yet.
Based on the information received from their families, the detainees are being held in very bad conditions and have no right to choose their trusted lawyer, and especially, women who have been arrested are in Qarchak Prison, which lacks the basic facilities. Two of these women are seriously ill and need medical treatment. Such behaviours are only a part of the injustice that has been done against the most peaceful civil grouping, and this process must be stopped. Unfortunately, other similar behaviours are observed in relation with other civil protesters, and the undeniable result of this process is an increase in dissatisfaction and greater distance between the people and the Islamic Republic of Iran system. The continuation of this situation is not expedient and can lead to unfortunate consequences
The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Ordibehest 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 April-May 2018
Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights
- A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists
- During this month, more than 34 people were detained; namely: Mohammad-Taqi Falahi, Rasul Bodaqi, Rahman Abedini, Alieh Eqdamdust, Esmaeil Gerami, Hossein Gholami, Mohammad Habibi and Javad Zenuzi – eight teacher-union activists; Yadollah Samadi, Amir Shahabi, Armin Sharifi, Osman Esmaeili – four labour activists; Shaparak Shajarizadeh and Maryam Shariatmadari – two citizens who were opposed to forced veil; Mitra Jamshidzadeh – a citizen; Mehdi Rahmanian – the editor in chief of Sharq Newspaper; and Amir-Hossein Miresmaeili – a journalist.
On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Kamran Ayazi – a former political prisoner; Neda Sabeti, Khodadad Miri, Nushin Afshar, Foruq Farzaneh, Mehrdad Heirani and Kaviz Nuzdehi – six Baha’i citizens; and Alam Azizi – a university student.
The central prosecutor of Khorasan Razavi has reported the detention of one individual without mentioning his name in Mashhad because of what has been called as “dependence on one of the opposition organizations”.
A number of defenders of teachers’ and workers’ rights were detained in front of the parliament following separate gatherings and some residents of Kazerun City were arrested because of street protests.
Moreover, some residents from the west of Iran were detained due to street protests and strikes. The names of some of them are as follows: Mohsen Alizadeh, Behruz Osmani, Razgar Refahi and Zanyar Osmani – four citizens from Baneh City; Abubakr Mohammadi – a citizen from Javanrud; Rasul Ayubi – a citizen from Sardasht; Faruq Firuzi – a citizen from Saqez; and Akam Salehi – a citizen from Sanandaj.
It should be noted that, some of the detainees were released temporarily on bail after a few days until the date of their trial.
On the other hand, Abbas Edalat – a professor of a university in London – was arrested during the end of Esfand 1396 (March) and Aras Amiri – a university student in London – was arrested during the end of Esfand 1396.
- Mahyar Ahmadi – a citizen from Sanandaj – was sent to prison to spend three months imprisonment; Foad Keikhosravi – a citizen from Saqez – was sent to jail for six months; Farzad Sahraei – a citizen from Qom – was sent to jail to spend two years imprisonment and Zakaria Taha – a citizen from Oshnavieh – was sent to prison to spend one year in prison.
- Nematolah Bangaleh and Nazanin Bangaleh – two Baha’i citizens – each were sentenced to five years imprisonment; Alireza Sepahi-Laein – a writer and journalist from Khorasan – was sentenced to 74 lashes; Seyed Tabib Taqizadeh – a journalist – was sentenced to two years in jail which has been suspended for four years; Saeid Beigi – a political activist – was sentenced to five and half years imprisonment and two years ban from any political activity; Ata Rahmanzadeh – a citizen from Saqez was sentenced to one year in prison; Nader Majidian and Shahram Majidian – two citizens from Saqez – each were sentenced to six years imprisonment; Ali Ebadi – a citizen from Qom – was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment that five years of it will be executed; Hasan Badiei – a citizen from Qom – was sentenced to two years in jail and Ali Nuri – a civil activist and former political prisoner – was sentenced to seven and half years in prison.
Moreover, Mohammad-Ali (Piruz) Mansuri – who is currently in prison – was sentenced to five years imprisonment again in another case and Saeid Shirzad – who is currently in prison – was sentenced to six months in jail again for another case.
Also, the prosecutor of Tehran has reported the issuance of different sentences for 16 women due to what has been called as “membership in ISIS” and some of Gonabadi Darwishes.
On the other hand, the appeal court confirmed the five years suspended imprisonment sentence of Saman Karimi – a civil activist.
The Judiciary of Ilam has reported that the appeal court confirmed the five years imprisonment sentences which three years of is suspended for a citizen because of “blasphemy”.
- Relevant officials prevented Molavi Abdolhamid from travelling to other parts of the country except Tehran.
- Abdolqafar Naqshbandi – a Sunni religious activist – was summoned to security agencies and interrogated.
In addition, the house of Anisa Motahar’s father – a Baha’i citizen was inspected by relevant officials and some of the personal belongings were seized.
- B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
- The Press Jury has found the editors in chief of Iran, Etemad, Arman and Qanun newspaper guilty.
- “Bamdad” student magazine was banned for six months by the sentence of the Board of Supervisors of Medical Sciences University of Hamedan.
- Relevant officials prevented the concert of Afsaneh and Nazli Jahangiri – two female singers of the Qashqaei Tribe.
- Relevant officials prohibited the holding of Friday prayer in the praying room of Sunnis in Kerman.
- Arash Razavian and Kiana Sanaei – two Baha’i students – were banned from continuing their education at the university by relevant officials.
- The Instagram pages of a number of well-known dance trainers in Iran were blocked by a Judicial order.
- The Second Branch of Tehran’s Culture and Media Court ordered the blocking of Telegram Messenger.
- C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
- Some nine 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:
The Judiciary officials have reported the execution of one individual in Tehran and one individual in Saveh because of the crime of rape. State-controlled media have reported the execution of two individuals in public in Mashhad due to rape.
On the other hand, the Judiciary officials have reported the execution of one individual in public in Bandarabbas and two individuals in Gorgan because of murder. Moreover, the Judiciary official reported the execution of one individual in Ardebil because of armed robbery and first degree murder.
Some news media have reported the execution of one individual in Babol because of the crime of murder.
On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported some executions in the prisons of Oromieh, Zahedan, Karaj, Eslamabad-e Gharb, Esfahan, Bandarabbas and Ilam; this news has not been confirmed or rejected by the Judiciary officials or state-controlled media.
- News media have reported the issuance of death sentences for seven individuals in Tehran because of murder, one individual in Mashhad due to first degree murder, one individual in Mashhad because of having sexual relationship out of marriage and one individual in Tehran because of harassing a woman.
In addition, the head of the Islamic Revolution Court of Tehran has reported the issuance of death sentences for eight individuals because of what has been called as membership in ISIS.
Moreover, the death sentences of one individual in Kerman and two individuals in Tehran – for the crime of murder – were confirmed in the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of Tehran Province has reported the confirmation of the death sentence for Mohammad Salas – a Gonabadi Darwish Sect member – because of first degree murder.
- News media of Iran have reported the issuance of lashes sentence for one individual in Tehran because of having relationship outside of marriage.
In addition, the lashes sentence of one individual – because of harassment – was confirmed in the Supreme Court.
- The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such Zahra Zare, Alireza Tavakoli, Mohammad Mohajer and Ahmadreza Jalali – are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment.
- Esmaeil Abdi, Rohollah Mardani, Arash Sadeqi, Changiz Qadam-Kheiri and Jamil Jamal went on hunger strike to protest against what has been called as unfavourable conditions for detainees and violations of their legal rights.
- Hadi Salehi was sent to Sanandaj Prison and Faeiz Chupani was sent to Baneh 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.
- Relevant officials prevented the AIDS Bus Plan because of what has been called “promotion of vices”.
- News media of Iran have reported the detention of 20 individuals in Fereydunkenar and 10 individuals in Rasht because of attending in party.
- News media in Iran have reported the detention of seven women who intended to go to the stadiums for watching football match.
- The hair of a female student was cut because of inappropriate veil by one of the officials of the primary school in Abadan.
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: Technical engineering services company of the East Azarbaijan Zone, Ashkan Porcelain close factory, Osveh Iran Factory, “Saman Tile” Factory, Persian Gulf Transportation Company, Safadasht Municipality, Nozohur Paper-Making Industries, “Sadid Rikhteh Gar “ closed Factory, “Sadr Steel” Factory, Qazvin Steel, Zavareh Train Station, Traverse, Hepco Company, Esfahan Municipality, hospitals and medical centers of Gilan Medical Sciences and dredging ships of Negin Sabz Khavareh-Mianeh, some workforces of cooperative companies in Saham-eh Edalat (Justice shares) Organisation, some fired drivers of “Abadan Transportation Company, drivers of phase No.12 of the South Pars, retirees of Abadan Petrochemical, retirees of the West Alborz Coal Mine and sacked workers of Health Center in East of Ahvaz.
- 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 service and waste workers of Abadan Municipality for five months, workers of “Alborz Filter” Factory for two months, around 200 workers of “Okia Car Manufacturing” Factory for four months, workers of Sisakht Municipality for four months, around 1500 workers of Safa Pipeline Factory and Saveh Profile for five months, 120 workers of Abadan Public Bus Company for three months, around 600 workers of Shafarud Jungle Company for five months, workers of “Iran Chuka” Factory for three months, workers of “Kian Kord” Textile Factory for six months, workers of Pakan spinning and weaving Factory for three months, worker of “Industrial systems” Factory for 10 months, around 170 workers of “Hoveizeh” Municipality for two months and workers of “Benvid white cement” Factory in Naein for three months.
- Many workers of Entekhab Industrial Group, one hundred workers of Kowsar wagon-making in Shahreza, around 100 workers of Qazvin Steel and one forest warden in Sari were fired from their jobs.
In addition, 55 workers of “Qoncheh edible oil” Factory, 90 workers of potassium sulfate plant in Ivan and 200 workers of Varna Milk Factory were fired due the closure of these units.
Reports concerning the situation regarding cultural heritage and environment also point to the continued presence of unfavourable conditions in these areas during this month. To the extent that the air pollution of Gachsaran was seven times more than the permitted limit during some days of the month of Ordibehesht.
Moreover, 10 individuals were injured by the explosion of eight mine explosions in Saqez, Shush, Baneh, Piranshahr, Sanandaj, Sarpol-Zahab and Qasreh-Shirin.
Conclusion:
At the end of the report for the month of Ordibehesht of 1397, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, states that in the current situation, when the international atmosphere is against Iran, any violent confrontation with citizens has no other consequence except to exacerbate the situation.
Therefore, the state must placate and appease the people in any possible way.
(END)
