The arbitrary and unlawful arrest and prosecution of journalists and activists in Iran weakens the protection of human rights of all in Iran, a United Nations expert said today. “Silencing these critical voices is unacceptable – it undermines public debate and deprives Iranians and the rest of world of important information on the reality in the country,” declaredUN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed, who is mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor […]
Tag: activists
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki released from Evin prison
Political prisoner and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was released from Evin prison today. According to Kaleme blogger and human rights activist Hossein Ronaghi was detained on December 13, 2009 at his home in Malekan close to Tabriz. He was held for 13 months in solitary confinement in Ward 2-A of Evin prison under severe physical torture and psychological duress in a futile effort to extract false televised confessions. Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court […]
Extension of medical furlough denied for Bahareh Hedayat despite kidney stone surgery
Bahareh Hedayat was summoned back to prison by the prosecutor’s office despite her need for aftercare after undergoing kidney stone surgery. According to Kaleme, political prisoner Bahareh Hedayat was finally granted medical furlough for surgery last week but was summoned back behind bars by the prosecutor’s office despite presenting medical documents stating her need for surgery confirmed by the state medical examiner and prison medics. As a result this political prisoner who was hospitalized […]
Reza Shahabi in worrisome health continues hunger strike after 40 days
Labor activist Reza Shahabi held in Rajai Shahr prison has lost 15 kilograms and lost consciousness several times in the past days while he continues his hunger strike that has now exceeded 40 days. CHRR reports that according to the Committee to Defend Reza Shahabi, the labor activist has severe fluctuations in his blood pressure prompting his transfer by his cellmates to the prison infirmary several times. But Shahabi refused to have a serum […]
Letter by Hossein Ronaghi’s father to Ayatollah Khamenei
In a letter to the leadership, the father of Hossein Ronaghi expressed his concern regarding the attack in Ward 350 at Evin prison and said the lives of political prisoners including that of his son are in danger. According to the letter provided to Kaleme, Ronaghi’s father requested that the Supreme Leader follow-up and prosecute the perpetrators of the vicious prison beatings because the judiciary is under his control. In the last 2 days […]
EU diplomat’s meeting with Iranian activists stirs controversy
Tehran Member of Parliament Mehdi Kochakzadeh has taken shots at the Ministry of Intelligence and the Foreign Ministry for allowing EU diplomat Catherine Ashton to meet with “elements guilty of sedition.” On Wednesday March 12, Kochakzadeh described Ashton’s actions as worse than the policy of capitulation and insisted that Europeans have no right to interfere in Iran’s judicial system or speak of human rights issues in the country. Ali Larijani, the head of Parliament, […]
Hossein Ronaghi’s message of condolences to Peyman Arefi
My honorable and suffering friend Peyman, A prisoner knows well the meaning of being imprisoned, understands the agony of loss and separation. The tragic incident that resulted in the death of your mother and wife was an “accident”, but did not happen “accidently.” I believe this devastating event was the tragic end result of a series of imprudent and brutal actions. We know that there is no basis for imposing an unprincipled and unjust […]
Human Rights Day: UN pays tribute to activists, landmark Vienna Declaration
10 December 2013 – Honouring human rights activism, including the legacy of Nelson Mandela, senior UN officials today mark Human Rights Day calling for greater political will and resources to implement laws and standards designed to promote and protect the rights and dignity of all people everywhere. “Promoting human rights is one of the core purposes of the United Nations, and the Organization has pursued this mission since its founding,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said […]
Activists say “political kidnapping” hurts young women
A group of political-social activists in Shiraz has called for the release of Jamila Karimi, a women’s rights activist and member of the Reformist Coalition Council of Fars, two months after her arrest. In a statement, the activists stress that Karimi’s arrest so close to the election can only be seen as “political kidnapping” and an attempt to control the political atmosphere in favour of a particular group. They go on to condemn the […]
Iranian Activists Welcome U.S. Lifting Of Sanctions On Communications Tools
The lifting of U.S. sanctions on the export to Iran of communication tools has been welcomed by activists and groups who had pushed for such a move and argued that the sanctions end up hurting ordinary Iranians, not the regime. On May 30, the U.S. Treasury and the State Department said they were removing sanctions on sales of such devices in order to enhance the ability of the Iranian people to access communication technology […]
