The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has reviewed the situation of human rights in Iran during the month of Tir 1395 [Iranian month corresponding to 21 June to 21 July 2016]:
Elderly political prisoners and the prisoners of conscience are not able to endure sustained imprisonment
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 Tir 1395 [June-July 2016].
The Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights, which is presided over by Shirin Ebadi, has reported that, the elderly political prisoners and the prisoners of conscience are not able to endure sustained imprisonment and announced that, not only the freedom of dissidents and non-conformist thinkers, but in fact their health and well-being too is now dependent upon obedience to the commands of the officials and silence in the face of the injustice they are being subjected to. Therefore, this people-instituted organisation announced that in view of to the conditions prevailing in jails holding political and ideological prisoners, it can be concluded that the officials are merely watching the silent death of the inmates.
The Center for the Defenders of Human Rights has referred to the reminders issued by human rights activists to the Judiciary officials with regards to improvements in conditions in prisons, not carrying out the full sentences against elderly political and ideological prisoners and also accelerating the treatment process of infirm prisoners in a calm and safe surroundings. It then criticized the officials for paying little, or no attention to these reminders and recommendations.
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 center for the month of Tir 1395, which has been published on 3rd of Mordad 1395 [24 July 2016], is as follows:
A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in June-July 2016
Introduction:
Based on their investigations into the conditions in jails, especially for political and ideological prisoners, the Center for the Defenders of Human Rights and other human rights organisations have repeatedly asked the Judiciary – as the main body responsible for the affairs of prisons – to take the necessary steps to improve the conditions at the country’s jails, apply more leniency in carrying out the full sentences of elderly political prisoners and the prisoners of conscience and also endeavour to accelerate the treatment of sick and unwell prisoners in a calm and safe surroundings. However, these demands have been almost entirely ignored by the Judiciary officials, and one example which can be mentioned is the failure of the relevant officials to implement Article 502 of the Code of Criminal Procedures on how to commute or convert the sentences and punishment handed out against infirm prisoners.
This is while, despite the difficulties of dissident and non-conformist prisoners, the special clinics at Iran’s prisons do not have the necessary wherewithal and when prisoners from different walks of life fall ill, they invariably face shortage of medicines and medical facilities, and in fact some have even lost their lives as a result of this situation.
In addition, keeping elderly political prisoners in jails, given their special needs and the fact that they are suffering from problems caused by the aging process, is another issue which is being reported from the prisons of the Islamic Republic.
The shortage of free space is another problem of the prisons to the extent that, the number of the prisoners is three times more than the real capacity of the jails, and some of the prisoners are in afct forced to sleep in the corridors. The lack of drinkable water in some prisons, such as Shahr-e Rey Prison (Qarchak Prison), is another reported problem, to the extent that the prisoners often have no choice but to buy their own drinkable water.
The report also provides a summary of the human rights situation in Iran during the month of Tir 1395, 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 June-July 2016
Section 1: Civil, Cultural and Political Rights
A) Situation of Nonconformist Political and Social Activists
1. During this month, more than 58 people were detained and the names of them have been specified, who were Mozafar Salehinia, Hashem Rostami – two labour activists; Reza (Robin) Shahini – an Iranian-American citizen; Afshin Hossein Panahi – a citizen from Dehgolan; Nabil Tahzib and Naeim Qaed Sharafi – two Baha’i citizens; Rahim Zarei, a citizen from Tabriz.
State-controlled media have reported the detention of “F-D” in Mashhad. This person was a presenter of [foreign-based] satellite TV networks.
On the other hand, some sources have reported the detention of Siamak Mirzaei – a citizen from Ardabil; Yunes Alsorkhi, Adnan Bayanat, Harbi Alsari and Mostafa Abeidavi – four citizens from Ahvaz; Ebrahim Nuri and Akbar Jahangiri – two citizens from Ahar; Milad Akbari and Ali Hamzehzadeh – two citizens from Tabriz; Fatah Purahmad, Seyyed Loqman Azizi, Seyyed Jalal Mahmudi, Sediq Baekram, Yaqub Baekram – six citizens from Eshnavieh; Aziz Ashnavar, Rasul Jola and Salah Sokhanvar – three citizens from Piranshahr; Mostafa Solduzi, Sirvan Mostafaei, Amir Abdollahzadeh, Rahim Esmaeili, Khoshnaz Esmaeili, Amir Abdollahzadeh – six citizens from Mahabad; Nasekh Alikhani, Rasul Alikhani, Abubakr Alikhani, Omar Abdollahpur – four citizens from Sardash; Avat Sharifi and Eqbal Zarei – two citizens from Saqez; Reza Zand Karimi, Khobat Moludi, Almas Rezaei, Sorur Moradi – four citizens from Sanandaj and Ali Sorkhi, a citizen from Bukan.
Moreover, state-controlled media have reported 15 individuals in street protests in Boldaji.
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, some news indicate the detention of Abdolsamad Rahmani – a Sunni religious activist – during the last days of Khordad (June).
2. Korush Zaeim – a member from National Iran Front [Jebhey-e Meli-e Iran] – was sent to prison to serve four years imprisonment; Afshin Seyyed Ahmad – a Baha’i citizen – was sent to the prison to serve three years in jail; Amin Khaki, Mohammad Bahrami, Hossein Barunzadeh (Daniel) and Rahman (Zia) – four newly converted Christians – were sent to jail to spend one year in jail.
3. Yekta Fahandej Sa’adi – a Baha’i citizen – was sentenced to five years in jail; Seyed Meysam Safaeian – a labour activist – was sentenced to one year imprisonment term; Maryam Davudi, Marjan Mirhabibi, Hamed Gudarzi, Sekineh Okhravi, Ali Ebrahimpur, Zahra Lashgari, Davud Nemati, Esmaeil (Zartosht) Ahmadi Ragheb, Zahra Sadat Yahyavi, Maryam Davudi Omid, Raha Davudian, Farideh Moradkhani, Fereshteh Karimian and Donya Namazian – 14 civil activists – were sentenced to three months in jail and 10 lashes individually.
Moreover, the three months and one day imprisonment sentence of Sardar Mokariani – a citizen from Sardasht – was confirmed in the Appeal Court.
4. The court trial session of Sorush Farhadian – a journalist – was held.
5. Saeid Madani – a member of the National-Religious Council and researcher that is spending his exile sentence in Bandarabbas; Sharif Saedpanah – a labour activist – and Isa Khanhatami – a political prisoner – were interrogated in the Ministry of Intelligence. Jafar Azimzadeh – a labour activist who is released from jail recently – was briefed again. moreover, Rasul Bodaqi – a trade union activist – was summoned to the court and Shima Babaei – a civil activist – and Abdolghafar Naqshbandi – a Sunni religious activist – were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence.
B) Situation Regarding Cultural Rights
1. The Press Jury has found Bahar Newspaper guilty.
2. The relevant officials have prevented the screening of the Movie “Sincerely, Nazanin, Bahar, Tina”.
3. According to Mitra Hajjar, an actress, the relevant officials of IRIB have prevented her from entering the premises of that organisation.
4. The relevant officials have prevented the staging of religious rituals in the Prayer hall of Poonak, in the suburbs of Tehran.
C) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse
1. Some 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:
“Q-H” and “M-R” were executed in Karaj in public. State-controlled media have announced that they were found guilty for the crime of kidnapping and rape.
A Judiciary official has reported the execution of two individuals in Rasht due to the crime of possession and transportation of drug.
“Hadi Pashaei” was executed in Maragheh. Some news websites have reported that his crime was maintenance and transportation of drug.
On the other hand, some unofficial news websites have reported the execution sentence of “Mohsen Khanmohammadi” due to the crime of murder, and a few more executions in Qezelhesar, Rajaei Shahr, Birjand and Arak prisons. This news reports have not been confirmed or rejected by the Judiciary officials or the state-controlled media.
2. State-controlled media have reported the issuance of execution sentences for two Afghan individuals due to the crime of rape, as well as another person with the nickname “Akbar”. Two individuals in Tehran, one individual in Pakdasht and two individuals in Razavi Khorasan Province were executed due to the crime of first-degree murder. The Judiciary officials have reported the issuance of execution sentence against one individual in Ardebil and one individual in Kermanshah because of murder.
Moreover, state-controlled media have reported the confirmation of execution sentence for someone with nickname “Abbas” and one Afghan individual due to the crime of murder in Supreme Court.
On the other hand, the Judiciary official has reported the Qisas sentence [Islamic retribution system, similar to the “an eye for an eye” principle] for an acid attacker in Dehdasht.
3. State-controlled media have reported the issuance of 99 lashes for a woman due to illicit sexual liaison. In addition, state-controlled media have reported that the Supreme Court confirmed the sentence of 173 lashes sentence for two individuals because of kidnapping, threat and robbery that involved bodily harm.
4. According to some media, Nader Dastanpur has died after detention and transferring to Narmak Police Station. In addition, Sajad Tofiqian is in coma and has been hospitalised after his detention in Dehdasht.
5. The health situation of some political prisoners is still reported to be bad to the extent that some of them – such as –Nahid Gorji, Hossein Rafie, Mohammdreza Nekunam, Afshin Baymani and Alireza Golipur – are sick but no serious action has been taken to provide them with treatment.
6. Seyed Jamaledin Seyed Musavi was transferred to Rajaei Shahr Prison. According to some news websites, Kaveh Veisi, Kaveh Sharifi and Jamal Qaderi were transferred to private cells. It should be noted that, these transfers have been carried out without any specific reason and contrary to the regulations and rules of the prisons internal affairs.
7. A Judiciary official has reported the detention of six individuals due to the crime of spying.
8. The Judiciary has reported the detention of 15 individuals in Pardis and the state-controlled media have reported the detention of eight individuals in Binalud due to attending in a party. Moreover, a government official has reported the detention of 80 Afghan individuals in Qazvin after they took part in a party.
9. The Judiciary officials have reported the detention of seven individuals in Tehran due to what has been termed as unethical activities in virtual networks and two individuals in Mashhad because of what has been described as using Telegram [social media application on mobile phones] to mobilise a public gathering in front of a commercial centre.
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 reports point to the presence of undesirable employment rights and salaries of workers in Mashinsazi Factory of Tabriz, Sugar Factory of Ahvaz, Iran Box Making Factory, Pardis Petrochemical Complex, Azarab Factory in Arak, Zarrin Tile in Khorasan, Alborz Steel, Ahvaz Municipality, Herbicides Weed Killer Factory in Saveh, Chuka Factory, Zagros Steel, Se Chahun Mine, Sugar Factory in Yasuj, Azad Shahr Municipality, Sadid Rikhtehgar [Foundry] Factory, North Oil Excavation, Khash Municipality, Shisheh Abgineh [Glass] Factory in Qazvin, Steel and Cast Iron Factory in Dorud, Sisakht Municipality, Polydactyl Factory of Esfehan, Urban Rail Road Project of Shiraz, Sugar Factory of Karaj, Old Citadel of Bam, the Coal Mine of Baladeh and the Damash Mineral Water Factory.
1. At the of the compilation of this report, the payments of 130 workers of Coal Making Factory in Tabas have not been paid for five months; formal and contract workers of Navard Luleh Ahvaz have not been paid for three months; 100 workers of Rasht Fire Station have not received their salaries for three months; contract workers of Gandaleh Sazi of Zarand Iranian Cooperation have not been paid for four month; around 300 workers of “Arsa Sakhteman” Contracting Company have not received their payments for four months; 18 employees of Industrial Town of Ilam have not been paid for three months, 150 contract workers of “Raja Railway” have not been paid for three months, contract workers of Behbahan Municipality have not received their salaries for two months, around 80 workers of 118 Center in the Telecommunications of Kerman have not been paid for four months, around 100 workers of Water and Wastewater in Gorgan have not received their payments for four months, 100 workers of Mirjaveh Municipality have not received their salaries for four months, around 60 workers of Kermanshah Municipality have not been paid for three months, around 1000 workers of Persian Gulf Star Refinery have not been paid for three months and the employees of the Hospital of the University of Medical Sciences in Yasuj have not received their salaries for about three months.
2. Some 55 workers of “Industrial Systems” in Takestan, 20 workers of Sewing Machine Production Factory (Kachiran), around 30 contract workers of Tehran-North Expressway Project, 80 workers of Chipboard Production in Tonekabon, around 30 workers of Pharmaceutical and Parenteral products Cooperation, around 25 contract workers of “Qazvin Steel”, four contract labours of Faliz Pazuhesh Pars cooperation, 55 contract workers of oil and gas reservoirs of “Industrial Systems” and 80 workers of National Heritage and Tourism of Khozestan province have been laid off during the month fired. In addition, 300 workers of the Iron and Steel Mine-Industry Complex of Bafq were made jobless.
Moreover, Abolqasem Rahmani, a trade union activist, was fired from his job.
3. A Judiciary official has reported the closure of a restaurant in Hamedan because it served food at midday during the fasting month of Ramadan.
4. News media have reported the closure of the Green Land Recreational complex by the Judiciary officials because of what has been described as participation and cooperation in “model-training” project and abusing young girls.
Section 3: Cultural Heritage and Environment
1. 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 density of dust particles in the air of the city of Zabol has reached the level of 3084 microns per cubic metres and the air quality index has reached dangerous levels, which was 20 times higher that permitted levels, and 7 times more than the level designated as “critical”. more than the limited level during some days of the month of Tir. In addition, a government official has reported that Talab Gachi., a wetland, has gone dry.
2. Sadeq Chabok and Rahim Azarpeykan, two employees of the Demining Centre, were injured in Dehloran due to land mine explosion. In addition, one individual was killed in Gilan-e Gharb town due to mine explosion.
Conclusion:
At the end of the report for the month of Tir of 1395, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights has emphasized that the elderly political and ideological prisoners are not able to endure sustained imprisonment. The report added that not only the freedom of dissidents and non-conformist thinkers, but in fact their health and well-being too is now dependent upon obedience to the commands of the officials and silence in the face of the injustice against them. Therefore, in view of the reports published on the conditions prevailing in jails holding political and ideological prisoners, the Centre for the Defenders of Human Rights believes the authorities are merely watching the silent death of the inmates.
Note: For further information regarding the above reports, please refer to the following news websites: Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), Fars news agency, Mehr news agency, Young Journalists Club news agency, CDHR website, JARAS, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, Nedaye Azadi, Baztab, HRANA, Ghanoon, Kaleme, Mohebbat News, Sunni Online, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Majzooban-e Noor, Melli Mazhabi, Nedaye Sabze Azadi, Radio Zamaneh, Radio Farda and BBC.