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The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Dey 1397 [December 2018 – January 2019]:

 

Individuals responsible for showing the ridiculous video of confessions of detainees can be prosecuted

 

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 Dey 1397 [Iranian month corresponding to 22 December 2018 to 20 January 2019]

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has referred to the public screening of the confessions of two people who have been arrested for labour protests and declared that, no official even Judicial authorities has the right to announce the name of a defendant before the issuance of a final verdict according to the rules of criminal procedure, and for this reason, the display of this ridiculous film is against the law, and those who committed such violations can be prosecuted.

This people-instituted organizationhas referred to severe censorship and financial mismanagement in the huge budget and revenues of the state Radio and Television Organisation [IRIB] and announced that this organisation has committed violations that have been condemned in various courts, even in the international arena for violating the laws on freedom of expression and human rights and its chief is also on the list of human rights violators and therefore subject to the relevant sanctions that are applicable.

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights also has written in its report:“Unfortunately, since the head of the Judiciary is appointed by the Supreme Leader, and this institution has lost its independence since several years ago, and has become part of the security institutions, there is no hope of that justice can be fulfilled in Iran in the current situation. However, on the international scene, this issue can be followed up and the Iranian state cannot act as usual and accuse other countries of political hostility or double standards.”

 

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 Dey 1397, which has been published on 1st of Bahman 1397 [21 January 2019], is as follows:

 

A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in December 2018-January 2019

Introduction:

 

According to Article 175 of the Constitution and the interpretation of the Council of Guardians in the year 1379 (2000-2001), Radio and Television is a state-run organisation whose director is appointed by the Supreme Leader, and the establishment and operation of private radio and television networks is prohibited in any way. In this way, the management of this most important and inclusive media is under the control of the Supreme Leader, who as it happens, is not accountable to any institution.

The Radio and Television Department has been run over the past 40 years in a way that people have repeatedly shouted at street gatherings and rallies: ”Our Radio and Television; Our shame”. In addition to severe censorship and financial mismanagement in the huge budget and revenues of Radio and Television, this organisation has committed violations that have been condemned in various courts, even in the international arena for violating the laws on freedom of expression and human rights and its chief is on the list of human rights violators and therefore subject to the applicable sanctions.

Recently, the organisation has committed another offense and released a video of the confessions of two people who have been arrested in connection with workers’ protests. Meanwhile, these two individuals have previously stated several times that they have been tortured in prison and have demanded public prosecution. Regardless of the accuracy of the material which has been shown, the televising of individual confessions in prison without the presence of a lawyer is not legally legitimate and its broadcast is also unacceptable and indefensible. On the other hand, no official, even Judicial authorities, has the right to declare the name of a defendant before the issuance of a final verdict, according to the rules of criminal procedure and for this reason, the screening of this ridiculous film is against the law, and those who committed such violations can be prosecuted.

The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Dey 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 December 2018-January 2019

 

Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights

 

1. A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists 

 

1. During this month, more than 33 people were detained and the names of them have been specified, who were:

Esmaeil Bakhshi – labour activist; Sepideh Qolian – a civil activist; Mehdi Qolian – a citizen; Edris Mohammadi – an environmental activist; Masud Shamsnejad – a lawyer; Moein Mohammadi, Kiana Rezvani and Kimia Mostafavi – three Baha’i citizens; Amir Amirqoil – a former political prisoner; Korosh Karampur – a poet and teacher; Mohammadreza Nematpur – a labour activist; Abbas Lesani – a citizen from Azarbaijan; Amirhossein Mohammadifar and Sanaz Allahyari – two media activists; Farhad Mohamamdi – a lawyer and a member of National Unity Party; and Hamidreza Rahmati, Hadi Khayat Mashhadi and Ahmad Taqavi – three teacher union activists.

On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Iraj Mohammadi – a citizen from Miandoab; Amanj Qorbani, Rashed Montazeri, Hossein Kamangar, Farhad Mohammadi, Isa Feizi, Hadi Kamangar, Fazel Qeitasi and Reza Asadi – eight citizens from Kordestan Province; Sahand Ma’ali, Vahid Nurahmadi, Heidari Mazini and Mohamamd Ranjbari – four citizens from Azarbaijan; and Arsham Rezaei and Mohammad Hosseinzadeh – two citizens from Tehran Province.

There are other cases of arrest of protesting citizens in Dey 1397: the detention of some citizens in Tehran because of gathering in front of the Tehran University and the detention of some citizens in Esfahan due to protesting against the economic problems and high prices, the detention of some citizens in Kermanshah, Oromieh, Oshnavieh, Maku, Piranshahr, Ilam, Sarpolzahab, Baneh, Marivan, Sarvabad and Paveh because of various reasons such as communicating and cooperating with Kurdish opposition parties and the detention of some citizens in Ahvaz and Omidieh.

 

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, some news websites have reported the detention of Narges Shahsavari and Ali Lorestani – two citizens from Kermanshah – during the last days of the month of Azar (Dec 2018) and Leili Khatami – a child rights activist – during the last days of month of Aban (Nov 2018).

2. Afsaneh Rezaei – a university student – was sent to prison to spend six months in jail; Delnia Saburi and Rojin Ebrahimi – two citizens from Kamyaran – were sent to jail for three days imprisonment; Sohrab Naqipur – a Baha’i citizen – was sent to prison for five years; Mohsen Mehregani, Manuchehr Rahmani and Farzad Homayuni – three Baha’i citizens – were sent to jail to serve 20 months terms; Ata Rahmanzadeh – a citizen from Saqez – was sent to prison for three months imprisonment and Saber Naderi – a citizen from Qarveh – was sent to jail to spend four years there.

In addition, the 10 years and six months imprisonment, 74 lashes sentence, two years ban from leaving the country and two years deprivation of political and social activities of Mohammad Habibi – a teacher union activist who is currently in prison – was confirmed by the appeal court.

Mostafa Borumand – a citizen from Mashhad who was detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sentenced to six and half years imprisonment and 74 lashes sentence; Morteza Parhizgar – a citizen from Mashhad who was detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sentenced to nine years in jail and 74 lashes sentence; Aryasb Bavand – a prisoner in Evin Prison – was sentenced to 22 years and six months incarceration; Mahi Zadeh Poshtpanah – a prisoner in Evin Prison – was sentenced to seven years in prison; Hamed Aynehvand – a political prisoner in Evin Prison – was sentenced to six years imprisonment; Ahmad Rastegari – a citizen in Oromieh Prison – was sentenced to six years incarceration. Kianush Salatini – a prisoner in Evin Prison – was sentenced to 19 years and half in jail and 80 lashes sentence and two years ban from leaving the country and two years deprivation from activity in the cyber space which only seven years and half of his sentence in executable due to the implementation of the Article 134.

On the other hand, the lashes sentence of Mohammad Hossein Sodagar – a reporter from Khoy – was executed.

3. Seyyed Hassan Aqamiri – a religious activist – was sentenced to two years incarceration and stripped of his clerical status; Mohammad Dorosti – a citizen from Azarbaijan – was sentenced to six months in prison; Sajjad Monadi – a citizen from Azarbaijan – was sentenced to one year imprisonment; Jafar Rasulpur, Mohammad Leilaneh, Mohammad Suyru and Rasul Mohammad Amini – four citizens from Sardasht – each were sentenced to one year and half in jail; Vafa Heidari and Ayub Ahmadi – two citizens from Sardasht – each were sentenced to five years incarceration; Elham Ahmadi – a member of Gonabadi Darwishes Sect who is currently in prison – was sentenced to 148 lashes sentence in another case; Shapur Rashnu – a political and civil activist – was sentenced to 10 years incarceration, two years exile to Sarakhs and two years deprivation from membership in parties and political and social groups; Ehsan Mirzavand – a political and civil activist – was sentenced to three years in prison, two years exile to Bam and two years deprivation from membership in parties and political and social groups; Hassan Tafi, Dariush Jafarpur and Iman Mirzavand – three political and civil activists – each were sentenced to six months in prison; Behzad Qalavand and Siavash Qalavand – two political and civil activists – each were sentenced to four months incarceration; Azad Salehian – a citizen from Saqez – was sentenced to two years in prison; Ebrahim Nuri – a citizen who was arrested because of a rally in Qaleh Babak – was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and two years exile to Nahbandan and deprivation from membership in parties and political and social groups; Jafar Rostamirad – a citizen who was arrested because of a rally in Qaleh Babak – was sentenced to six months imprisonment and two years exile to Nahbandan and deprivation from membership in parties and political and social groups; Khalil Karimi – a labour activist – was sentenced to one year incarceration; Musa Mahmudi – a citizen from Oshnavieh – was sentenced to four years in prison and Mohammad Ebrahimi – a citizen from Piranshahr – was sentenced to 15 years in jail.

On the other hand, the appeal courts confirmed the four months imprisonment of Hossein Dehbashi – a documentary filmmaker; six months imprisonment and 40 lashes sentence (which has been suspended for one year) for Mostafa Tork Hamedani – the lawyer of the workers of Tamin Ejtemaei (Social Security Organisation); one year incarceration of Mehran Bandi Amirabadi and Mehran Eslami Amirabadi – two Baha’i citizens; four and half years imprisonment and four years exile to Sarbaz for Mohammad Mahdavifar – a civil activist who is currently in jail because of another case;  six years imprisonment for Afshin Bolbolan, Saham Armin, Milad Davardan, Farhang Sahba and Anush Rayneh – five Baha’i citizens; four years incarceration of Bahareh Zeini (Sobhanian), Fujan Rashidi and Sepideh Ruhani – three Baha’i citizens; six years imprisonment of Ali Sani – a Baha’i citizen; six months incarceration for Hushang Mokhtari, Bijan Eslami Mehdiabadi, Alimohammad Anvari Aliabadi, Bahador Kamju, Manuchehr Bareqi and Fahimeh Eshaq Nurabadi (Fahimeh Eshaqi) – six Baha’i citizens; and three years imprisonment of Amirali Moradi – a citizen from Karaj.

4. Zahra Asadi – a civil activist – was summoned and to the Security Police of Saqez; Abbas Mirbaqeri – a citizen from Tehran – was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence; Borzu Naderi, Ehsan Darabi and Fahim Naseri – three citizens from Saqez – were summoned to the Intelligence Office of Kermanshah; Saeid Vojdani, Tahereh Pashaei, Radman Forughi, Sheida Motlaq, Taraneh Badiei, Sepehr Foruhari, Masud Zakerian, Badiolah Tashakor, Parvin Tashakor, Farinaz Khoshfetrat, Taranom Hashemi, Kambiz Safaei, Sarmad Sadeqian, Nahid Farhangi, Hasti Mandegari, Nasim Zabihi, Ruhieh Anvari, Shole Emamverdi, Shirin Khols, Forutan Bayani, Armin Ruhani, Aydin Ruhani, Nazanin Sharifi, Nima Sharifi, Ramtin Monzavi, Parnian Badiei, Mahsan Mokhtari, Arman Purmoradian, Mahmud Fashami, Samie Ehsani, Puya Eslami, Delkash Behbahani – 32 Baha’i citizens – were summoned to the Intelligence Office in Karaj and Abdoljalil Na’mani – a Sunni religious activist – was summoned to the Intelligence Office of Rask. It should be noted that, all these individuals have been interrogated after their summons.
5. The houses of Jalil Bahamin, Bakhtiar Ruhani and Sasan Dastpish – three Baha’i citizens – were searched by relevant officials and some of their personal belongings were seized.
6. Relevant officials prevented Emad Sharqi – an Iranian-American citizen with dual citizenship who has been detained since Farvardin 1397 (Mar-Apr 2018) – and Bahareh Amidi – a civil activist – from leaving the country.
7. Mohammad Rahmanian – a play writer and theatre director – was released on bail until his trial date, after he was briefed about the accusations against him. Similarly, Nader Faturehchi, a cultural activist, was released temporarily until his court date, after posting the required bail, and once the allegations against him were explained to him. after he was briefed until the end of their trials.

 

1. B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
2. The Press Jury found the editor in chiefs of Shoot Sport Journal, Shahrvand Newspaper and Varzesh Bank (Sport Bank) news website guilty. Also, a person who was interviewed by Shoot Sport Journal as well as the writer of an item in Varzesh Bank website have also been found guilty by the Press Jury.

 

2. As a result of performing a concert with Haleh Seifizadeh, Ali Qamsari – an Iranian musician – has been banned from artistic activities by relevant officials. Similarly, Iranian singer Mehdi Yarahi has received the same ban due to his support for the workers protests

 

3. The documentary movie “Like a Woman” (Mesleh Yek Zan) was banned by the relevant officials.

 

4. Relevant officials prevented Sima Nazifi, Badie Safaju, Shayan Manavi, Shirin Baninejad – four Baha’i citizens – from studying. Moreover, relevant officials prevented the delivering of graduation certificate of Behruz Farzandi – a Baha’i citizen who was a prisoner of war for more than two years during the Iran and Iraq war, and has lost around 25 per cent of his normal physiological abilities as a result of his war injuries.

 

5. Relevant officials prevented the holding of a ceremony marking the death anniversary of Abbas (Shahram) Farajzadeh Tarani – one of the victims of the incidents of 1388 [June 2009 political turmoil in the wake of the disputed result of presidential election].

 

6. Relevant officials prevented further activities by the Ferdowsi Shahnameh Society in Basht because of what has been called as the use of musical instruments and dancing. Also, officials have halted further activities by the “Jam-e Sabz” Institute because of requesting “Pareh Sang” Music Video.

 

7. The General Manager and a number of employees of Kish IRIB were reprimanded and dismissed due to what has been called their negligence and failure to prevent the broadcast of banned images in a [televised] cinematic movie.
8. All music concerts were canceled on 5th Dey (26 Dec 2018) by the order of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance due to the death of Seyyed Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi – Chairman of the State Expediency Council.

 

1. C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse

 

1. At least 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:

 

Hamidreza Baqeri Dormani was executed in Tehran. The Judiciary officials said his crime was economic corruption.

 

One individual was executed in Mashhad, one individual in public in Falavarjan, one individual in Tehran and one individual in Babol. State-controlled media have reported that the crime of these convicts was first degree murder.

 

In addition, one individual was executed in public in Kazerun. State-controlled media have reported his crime was violent rape and kidnapping.

 

Three individuals were executed in Yasuj. State-controlled media said he had been found guilty because of the crime of armed robbery.

 

On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported executions in the prisons ofRajaei Shahr in Karaj, Nushahr, Oromieh and Esfahan; 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 against four individuals in Tehran Province because of murder and five individuals in Azarbaijan Gharbi Province (West Azarbaijan) due to possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs.

 

3. News media in Iran have reported the issuance of lashes sentences for five moneychangers in Tehran because of economic corruption, a member of Yazd City Council because of spreading of false and defamatory material, and 11 individuals in Tabriz due to financial corruption.

 

4. The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such as Saeid Shirzad, Alireza Golpur, Mostafa Daneshju, Reza Malek, Motaleb Ahmadian, Hassan Momtaz Sarvestani and Hassan Shahreza – are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment.

 

5. Some prisoners such as Narges Mohammadi, Nazanin Zaghari, Mehdi Khanipur (Halafi) and Nasrollah Lashani went on hunger strike in protest at what they claim to be undesirable conditions for prisoners and violations of their legal rights.

 

6. Nasrin Sotudeh was banned from receiving face to face visitations in jail.

 

7. Qasem Beytabdollah and Abdollah Karmalachoab were transferred to Evin Prison. Nazar Zaka who was in General Ward of Evin Prison was transferred to the Ward 2A of IRGC and Nameq Deldel who was in general ward of prison was transferred to Intelligence Directorate’s detention centre of Sanandaj. 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.

 

8. Police have reported the detention of a woman whose shop sells women’s clothing in Astaneh Ashrafieh, because she had given pictures and videos advertising her business to a foreign media outlet. The shop has been closed and put under official seal too.

 

Section 2: Social and Economic Rights

 

Reports concerning the social and economic conditions in Iran also point to the continued presence of unfavourable situation in these areas. For example, news reports reveal unsatisfactory employment and pay conditions of workers in a number of units such as:

 

Dredging ships in Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz Urban Railway, Lushan Municipality, Khuzestan Pipe Making Factory, Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Complex, Dorud Railway, “Egzoz Khodro” Factory, Yazd Supportive Schools, personnel of the Central Municipality in Abadan, drivers of Abadan Transfer Company, sacked workers of “Parsan Rasht” Factory, drivers of machineries in Phase 12 of the South Pars (Pars Jonubi), fired workers of Ahvaz Qand [sugar] Factory, six sacked workers of Tulipers Factory, sacked workers of Aqdareh Gold Mine and Hood-e Mes Factory [copper mill].

 

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:

 

Some workers of Borujerd Municipality for nine months, some fire fighters of Abadan Municipality for three months, workers of Dezful Municipality for four months, 80 workers of “Malch Aram” Coal Mine for four months, around 470 workers of Karun Cement Factory for four months, workers of “Palud” Dairy Products Unit for five months, workers of Tabriz Ball Bearing Factory for four months, fire fighters of Marivan for three months, workers of “Travers” Technical Line from Bafq to Bandar Abbas for two months.

 

2. Some 10 workers of Hood-e Mes [copper] Factory, around 100 workers of Kavosh production units of pressure vessels, 180 workers of Marliksan Qazvin Manufacturing Plant, 108 workers of Mahshahr Pipe Making Company, one worker of Karun Cement Factory (Masjed Soleiman), 23 workers of Irku Wagon-making of in Abhar and 36 workers of Bushehr Municipality were sacked from their jobs.

 

Moreover, 35 workers of “Sani Electric” Factory became unemployed after the closure of this unit.

 

Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment

 

Two soldiers of Army border guards were killed due a mine explosion in Qasr-e Shirin. In addition, five individuals were injured because of five mine explosions in Dehloran, Mehran and Ravansar.

 

Conclusion:

 

Unfortunately, since the head of the Judiciary too is appointed by the Supreme Leader, and this institution has lost its independence since many years ago, and has in effect become a part of the security institutions, there is no hope of implementing justice in Iran in the current situation. However, on the international scene, this issue can be followed up and the Iranian state cannot accuse other countries, as it always does, of political hostility or double standards.

 

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Azar 1397 [Iranian month corresponding to 22 November to 21 December 2018]:

Workers of Iran, Unite!

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 Azar 1397 [22 November to 21 December 2018].

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has referred to the workers’ objections to their livelihood situation and called for unity of workers and independent labour organisations.

This people-instituted organization has expressed its belief that the state officials do not care about the workers’ legitimate demands and the only solution is to continue protests in the peaceful way, just as they have done in the past.

The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has written in its report: “In the same way that the adroit workers have exercised a high level of vigilance and ultimately protected their collective against infiltration by non-worker agitators, they must also prevent the ill-omened intrusion of security agents and provide the basis for the national unity of the workers through the election of genuine and brave representatives selected from the ranks of well-known people. This will enable them to come to the streets with more and more power, and with their justice-seeking cries and chants, awaken the authorities from their slumber of complacency and force them to respond to their 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 Defenders of Human Rights, the text of the report by the said centre for the month of Azar 1397, which has been published on 2nd of Dey 1397 [23 December 2018], is as follows:

A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in November-December 2018

Introduction:

A number of Iranian workers started huge street protests in the month of Azar due to their unpaid wages. They had not achieved any results following numerous contacts and correspondence with the relevant state officials at different levels, and therefore, and inevitably, they decided to follow their legitimate demands by staging street protests in some cities, especially Shush and Ahvaz.

It is interesting to note that by learning lessons from the events in “Golestan-e Haftom St” [in Tehran’s Pasdaran district] and the extensive arrest of the “Gonabadi Darwishes”, several workers acted as

security wardens and prevented the entry of agitators and violence-mongers, so as to ensure the protests go ahead in a calm atmosphere. During the event, no stones were thrown, no windows were smashed and there were no clashes. For this reason, they were able to continue their street demonstrations in Ahvaz for more than a month.

Although participation in street rallies and the formation of civil and labour organisations on the condition of peacefulness is a part of the rights of the citizens and no one can object to them, unfortunately, a number of workers were arrested in Shush, Ahvaz and some other cities. For instance, on 26 of Azar (17 Dec 2018) in Shush, security forces violently attacked the homes of a number of workers and arrested and incarcerated 41 of them – althoughsome of the detainees were later released temporarily on bail. However, regardless of how difficult it is for a worker to prepare a bail given that he has not been paid for several months, the bail is essentially being used as a means of controlling the released person, so that he will not be able to contemplate actions to redeem his wages again.

Therefore, as state officials do not appear to care about the workers’ rightful demands, the only solution is to continue protests in the peaceful way as in the past, and this requires maintaining the unity of workers and striving towards the establishment of independent labour organisations. Thus, as adroit workers have shown the ultimate vigilance and prevented the entry of non-working agitators into their ranks, they must also prevent the evil intrusion and influence of the security agents and provide the basis for the national unity of the workers through the election of genuine and brave representatives selected from the ranks of well-known people. In this way, they will be able to continue to come to the streets more powerfully and extensively, and with their justice-seeking cries and chants, awaken the authorities from their slumber of complacency and force them to respond to their demands.”.

The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Azar 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 November-December 2018

Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights

1. A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists 
2. During this month, more than 71 people were detained and the names of them have been specified, who were:

Amirsalar Davudi – a lawyer; Asal Mohammadi – a university student; Meymanat Hosseini Chavoshi – a researcher and a citizen with dual nationality; Hamed Nargesi – a teacher trade union activist; and Asghar Firuzi – a former political prisoner.

Moreover, some workers were incarcerated because of street protests such as Morteza Akbarian, Amin Alavani, Karim Sayahi, Gharib Havizavi, Jafar Sobhani, Isa Marei, Majid Janadeleh, Mehdi Tahmasebi, Ahmad Nur, Meysam Qanavati, Hamed Judaki, Tareq Kholfi, Kazem Heidari, Masud Afarinejad, Kurosh Esmaeili, Ali Oghba, Mostafa Abiat, Hossein Davudi, Mohsen Beluti, Mohsen Pahbani, Mohammad Purhassan, Seyyed Habib Tabatabaei, Abdolreza Dasti, Jasem Safar Rumazi, Yaser Ebrahimian, Ali Etmami, Seyyed Ali Javadpur, Javad Gholami, Hafez Kanani, Ali Nejati, Meysam Ale Mehdi, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Sohrab Na’ami, Hossein Asakareh, Fariborz Sheikhrobat and Ali Javadpur.

On the other hand, some news sources have reported the detention of Mahvash Edalati (Zaeiri), Neda Shabani and Sorush Agahi – three Baha’i citizens; Jamshid Derakhshan, Shima and Shokufeh Zanganeh, Farzad Behzadizadeh and Abdollah Yusefi Sheikhrobat – five newly converted Christians; Abdolbaqi Saeidi – a Sunni religious activist; Seyyed Reza Musavi – a citizen from Ahvaz; Reza Jafarlu, Akbar Qolizadeh and Kazem Safabakhsh – three citizens from Azarbaijan.

Iran Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported the detention of 12 individuals in Esfahan Province – without mentioning their names – and state-controlled media have reported the detention of some individuals in Alborz Province – without mentioning their names – because of what has been called as being the member of the Erfaneh Halqeh [The Mystic Ring religious sect]. Moreover, state-controlled media have reported the incarceration of a number of activists in the field of population control – without mentioning their names and numbers – and the detention of some individuals – without mentioning their names and numbers – due to what has been called as dependency on the Christian-Zionism movement.

There are other cases of arrest of protesting citizens in Azar 1397: The detention of citizens in some cities such as Sarvabad, Baneh, Sanandaj, Piranshahr, Oromieh, Kermanshah, Solas Babajani and Divandarreh because of various reasons such as communicating and cooperating with Kurdish opposition parties; the incarceration of some citizens of Sistan Va Baluchestan Province due to suicide operation in Chabahar and the detention of some citizens in 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.

In addition, Reza Shahabi, Hassan Saeidi, Amirabbas Azarmvand, Roham Yeganeh and Keyvan Mohtadi – five labour activists – have been detained for a short time.

2. Ezat Nasri – a labour activist – was sent to prison to spend three months in jail; Shayadn Tafazoli – a Baha’i citizen – was sent to jail for one year; Abdollah Alirezanejad – a citizen from Gachsaran – was sent to prison for three years; Mehrdad Saburi and Omid Ahmadi – two citizens from Kamyaran – were sent to jail for three months imprisonment; Aram Mohamamdi and Shahu Sadeqi – two citizen from Kamyaran – were sent to prison to spend three months in jail; Amir Chamani – a civil activist – was sent to jail for six months incarceration; Matin Khaledi – a citizen from Oromieh who has been detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sent to prison for a one year term; Ali Baqeri – a civil activist – was sent to jail for three years and six months imprisonment; Amir Reza Alipur Hashtaliamoli – a university student – was sent to prison to spend six month in jail and Alireza Moinian – a civil activist who has been detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sent to jail for a term of eight months.

Moreover, the appeal court issued the six months imprisonment sentence for Eqbal Ahmadpur – a citizen from Oromieh who is currently in jail.

3. Yekta Fahandez Sa’di – a Baha’i citizen – was sentenced to 11 years incarceration; Mostafa Daneshju – lawyer and a Gonabadi Darwishes’ right activist – was sentenced to eight years imprisonment; Mohamamdhossein Heidari – a media activist – was sentenced to three years in jail; Amin Zendehdel – a citizen from Oromieh who has been detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sentenced to one year incarceration; Naser Hassani – a citizen from Oromieh who has been detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sentenced to two months in prison; Hossein Habibvand – a citizen from Oromieh who has been detained during the protests of Dey 1396 [Jan 2018] – was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment; Delnia Saburi and Rojin Ebrahimi – two citizens from Kamyaran – each were sentenced to three days in jail; Hengameh Shahidi – a journalist and political activist – was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in jail; Qasem Sholesadi and Arash Keykhosravi – two lawyers – each were sentenced to six years incarceration; Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei – the former vice President – was sentenced to six and half years in jail; Ali Baqeri – a civil activist – was sentenced to 13 years in prison; Masud Ajlu and Behzad Alibakhshi – two civil activists – each were sentenced to two years in prison; Masud Babapur – a political activist – was sentenced to 13 years in jail and two years deprivation of social rights and Mohamamd Najafi – a lawyer who is currently in jail – was sentenced to one year in jail in one case and 13 years imprisonment in another case.

In addition, some news websites have reported the issuance of lashes and imprisonment sentences for the supporters of Yamani Movement.

On the other hand, Kiyumars Eslami – a citizen from Ardebil – was sentenced to one year in jail, Mahmud Masumi – a civil activist – was sentenced to 12 years incarceration, Mohammadnaeim Mohammadpur – a citizen from Sanandaj – was sentenced to one year in jail and Elham Rasulbaghi – a civil activist – was sentenced to a fine of 5,000,000 Toman by the appeal court.

4. Nazar Mohamamd Dehqani – a Sunni religious activist – was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence and was interrogated and Javad La’lmohammadi – a teacher union activist – was summoned to IRGC and was interrogated.
5. Bahram Javadi – a media activist – was released on bail after he was briefed.
6. Based on remarks by some news websites, Vahid Sayyadi Nasiri – who was spending his imprisonment in jail – died because of hunger strike.
7. B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
8. Press Jury found the editor in chiefs of “Ruzeh Nu” Website, Cheshmandaz Magazine and Sharq Newspaper guilty.
9. Relevant officials prevented the holding of ceremonies to marks the 20th anniversary of murder of Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammadjafar Puyandeh in Imamzadeh Taher Cemetery.
10. Relevant officials prevented the performing of a play in the Islamic Azad University of Quchan.
11. The appeal of Taraneh Qiami – a Baha’i student who has been deprived from studying – was rejected by the Administrative Court of Justice.
12. C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
13. 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 Taft, one individual was executed in Mashhad, one individual was executed in Shahreza and one individual in Rasht. News media in Iran have expressed that their crime was murder. Moreover, one individual was executed in Qazvin and one individual was executed in Gorgan. News media in Iran have reported that their crime was rape.

On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported executions in the prisons ofTabriz, Oromieh, Bandarabbas, Kerman and Karaj; 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 two individuals in Tehran province due to murder and one individual in Tehran Province because of rape.

Moreover, the death sentences of Hamid Baqeri Dermani – a defendant accused of economic crimes – and three individuals in Mahabad and one individual in Tehran because of murder were confirmed by the Supreme Court.

3. News media in Iran have reported the issuance of suspended lashes sentence for one individual in Shaft due to cruelty to animals.

In addition, the Supreme Court has confirmed the lashes sentences for two individuals due to having relationship without marriage and some individuals in Tehran Province because of economic crimes.

4. The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be unfavourable to the extent that some of them – such as Mohamamd Habibi and Majid Azizi- are sick but no serious action has been taken for their treatment.
5. Some prisoners such as Nasrin Sotudeh, Mahmud Naji, Rohollah Mardani and Qasem Qanbari went on hunger strike in protest at what they claim to be undesirable conditions for prisoners and violations of their legal rights.
6. Elham Ahmadi – a member of the Gonabadi Darwishes Sect who is currently in jail – refused to attend his court hearings in protest against the failure to comply with legal procedures during the trial.
7. The Intelligence Protection Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reported the detention of 11 individuals in Shiraz due to what has been called as activities in the field of producing and performing music and holding private parties.

Section 2: Social and Economic Rights

Reports concerning the social and economic situation also point to the continued presence of unfavourable conditions in these areas. For example, news reveals unsatisfactory employment conditions and salaries of workers in a number of units such as:

Workers of technical lines of the railways of the southeast, Andimeshk Municipality, Tabas Municipality, Shushtar Municipality, Barfab Factory, Tansim Nush Cooperation, Sazehpardazan Shamsabad Coperation, Iran National Group, Arya Still Alvand Factory, Jahan Edible Oil Factory, Water Supply Project of Sistan Plain and phase No.2 of Abadan Refinery, retirees of Shiraz Telecommunications industries, personnel of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Karaj and Samen Institute.

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:

Some workers of Borujerd Municipality for nine months, dredging workers of Kutabdollah for six months, workers of ball bearing factory for four months, workers of Bavers Steel for 18 months, workers of Iranian gas industry for 18 months, workers of Iran Energy Meter Making Factory for 16 months, workers of Shomal Drilling Company for one month, workers of Hamedan Municipality for two months, workers of Ahvaz Urban Railway for 18 months, workers of Qaemshahr Municipality for two months, workers of Bijar Municipality for three months, workers of Bandar Imam Khomeini Municipality for three months, workers of Takestan Wire Industry Factory for six months, workers of Amku Cooperation for three months, workers of Abadan Municipality for three months and workers of Talun Company for four months.

2. Some 400 personnel of Gaj Institute, 270 workers of Line No.6 of Tehran Urban Railway and 30 workers of Sadid Factory have been sacked from their jobs.

Moreover, 260 workers of Shahab Shams Industrial design and Manufacturing Company were fired due to the closure of this trading unit.

3. The working places of Saeid Afshar, Bahman Afshar, Farhad Afshar, Mohammad Afshar, Kamal Afshari, Shokrollah Azizi, Alireza Afshar, Mostafa Ebadi, Arsalan Farzaneh and Jahan Behbahani – 10 Baha’i citizens – were sealed.

In addition, the Administrative Justice Court has refused the appeal of 17 Baha’i citizens for the closure of their working places.

Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment

One individual has been killed in Dehloran due to a mine explosion. Three individuals were injured because of two mine explosions in Baneh.

Conclusion:

At the end of the report for the month of Azar of 1397, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rightsannounced that the continuation of the repression of people whose only demands are for “bread” and “work” is an erroneous and inhuman course of action according to any logic and law. The Centre emphasized that the continuation of this situation will only cause more destruction.

 

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

1. A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists 
2. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.
5. Mehdi Moqadari – a member of the city council of Esfahan – was interrogated by the security police.
6. 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.
7. B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
8. The Press Jury found the editors in chiefsof “Arman-e Emruz” Journal, “Bahar” Newspaper and “Bahare Javedaneh” Monthly guilty.
9. Ceremonies marking the death anniversary of Ali Ashraf Darwishian – a [veteran Kurdish] writer – were prevented by relevant officials.
10. Relevant officials prevented the performance of play called “Fondoo and Liz”.
11. 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.
12. C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
13. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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..
7. 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.

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:

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.

2. Some workers of automotive company in Bam New Citadel were fired from their jobs.
3. 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.