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Hambaastegimeli site
Around 14h30 , in Navab and Khosh intersection, 2000 protesters and people clashed with the security forces and the clashes qre sporadicly continued into the evening
Photo from archive
Hambaastegimeli site
Around 14h30 , in Navab and Khosh intersection, 2000 protesters and people clashed with the security forces and the clashes qre sporadicly continued into the evening
Photo from archive
HRANA
Yesterday in Mashad, on the first national conference for the day of labour mobilization and celebration of worker martyrs, Abdolreza Sheikholeslami, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, analyzed the third verse of Surat Al-Baqarah from the Qur’an and then interpreted the concept of absence of the Imam and faith. Since the conference was supposed to be held on May Day and he did not mention the situation of workers in Iran,
a group of workers gathered after his speech in the Ayeha building to protest the minister’s talk.
One of the workers said, “We expected the minister to say better words on the improvement of workers situation, but he did not even mention workers.”
Another worker said, “When the Health or Education Minister talks, part of the speech focuses on congratulating nurses and teachers, but the Labour Minister spoke and didn’t say a word about workers.”
A worker Mohammad Karimi said, “The minimum we expected from the Labour Minister was that after he analyzed the Qur’an, he would talk about problems pertaining to workers and also provide solutions.”
He added, “Unfortunately, in our country, there is no value for workers. The proof of this is all the letters and correspondence I had with the Ministry of Labour since March 2009 that have gone nowhere.”
Yesterday in Mashad, on the first national conference for the day of labour mobilization and celebration of worker martyrs, Abdolreza Sheikholeslami, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, analyzed the third verse of Surat Al-Baqarah from the Qur’an and then interpreted the concept of absence of the Imam and faith. Since the conference was supposed to be held on May Day and he did not mention the situation of workers in Iran,
a group of workers gathered after his speech in the Ayeha building to protest the minister’s talk.
One of the workers said, “We expected the minister to say better words on the improvement of workers situation, but he did not even mention workers.”
Another worker said, “When the Health or Education Minister talks, part of the speech focuses on congratulating nurses and teachers, but the Labour Minister spoke and didn’t say a word about workers.”
A worker Mohammad Karimi said, “The minimum we expected from the Labour Minister was that after he analyzed the Qur’an, he would talk about problems pertaining to workers and also provide solutions.”
He added, “Unfortunately, in our country, there is no value for workers. The proof of this is all the letters and correspondence I had with the Ministry of Labour since March 2009 that have gone nowhere.”
INA
INA correspondent reports a clash between demonstrators and oppresive forces on the Behboodi-Azadi intersection. A woman was reportedly badly beaten by regime forces and youth were throwing stones and oppressive forces.
INA correspondent reports a clash between demonstrators and oppresive forces on the Behboodi-Azadi intersection. A woman was reportedly badly beaten by regime forces and youth were throwing stones and oppressive forces.
NCRI
In Tehran, a number of workers of the auto repair shops of “Iran Khodro” (car manufacturing) staged a gathering in front of the company office in Azadi Street to protest undesirable employment status and worsening work conditions. Unbridled imports of auto parts from China have greatly diminished the quality of work in these offices and workers are continuously forced to face complaints by people due to low quality of service.
In Shahr-e Rey, on Tuesday, April 27, more than 50 workers from “Hamgen” company in Shams Abad staged a gathering in front of the city hall to protest and demand unpaid salaries.
In recent days, in Marvdasht, protests by laid off workers of the Fars meat plant continue in front of the plant, the labor office and the insurance office of the municipality. The production unit, which has over 1400 workers, has now been shut down completely. The mullahs’ officials are refraining from investigating and responding to the workers’ demands and protests, which started in April, including their retirement needs.
In Rasht, on April 27, workers at the “Khavar” textile plant staged a protest gathering in front of the plant and prevented the board of directors from entering the site. The workers’ protests, which have continued in recent days, aim to have their rights and benefits respected, including receiving of three months of delayed pay.
In Kerman, on April 24, about 50 workers of the “Bardsir” sugar cube factory gathered in protest along with their families in front of the factory to demand their delayed salaries and obtain work.
Financial ruin, industrial wreckage and the poverty of millions of workers in Iran are just some of the consequences of the clerical regime’s plunders and unpopular policies, which squander the nation’s vast resources and wealth in the nuclear weapons development project and export of terrorism.
As the International Workers’ Day approaches, the Iranian Resistance calls on the International Labor Organization, all workers’ unions and syndicates, as well as organizations advocating workers’ rights across the world to defend the rights of Iranian workers and condemn the anti-labor and suppressive policies of the clerical regime.
In Tehran, a number of workers of the auto repair shops of “Iran Khodro” (car manufacturing) staged a gathering in front of the company office in Azadi Street to protest undesirable employment status and worsening work conditions. Unbridled imports of auto parts from China have greatly diminished the quality of work in these offices and workers are continuously forced to face complaints by people due to low quality of service.
In Shahr-e Rey, on Tuesday, April 27, more than 50 workers from “Hamgen” company in Shams Abad staged a gathering in front of the city hall to protest and demand unpaid salaries.
In recent days, in Marvdasht, protests by laid off workers of the Fars meat plant continue in front of the plant, the labor office and the insurance office of the municipality. The production unit, which has over 1400 workers, has now been shut down completely. The mullahs’ officials are refraining from investigating and responding to the workers’ demands and protests, which started in April, including their retirement needs.
In Rasht, on April 27, workers at the “Khavar” textile plant staged a protest gathering in front of the plant and prevented the board of directors from entering the site. The workers’ protests, which have continued in recent days, aim to have their rights and benefits respected, including receiving of three months of delayed pay.
In Kerman, on April 24, about 50 workers of the “Bardsir” sugar cube factory gathered in protest along with their families in front of the factory to demand their delayed salaries and obtain work.
Financial ruin, industrial wreckage and the poverty of millions of workers in Iran are just some of the consequences of the clerical regime’s plunders and unpopular policies, which squander the nation’s vast resources and wealth in the nuclear weapons development project and export of terrorism.
As the International Workers’ Day approaches, the Iranian Resistance calls on the International Labor Organization, all workers’ unions and syndicates, as well as organizations advocating workers’ rights across the world to defend the rights of Iranian workers and condemn the anti-labor and suppressive policies of the clerical regime.
NCRI
A group of political prisoners in Evin, Gohardasht and Orumieh prisons have started a hunger strike in solidarity with workers and teachers since Friday, April 30, according to the Social Headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran inside the country. They have announced that they will continue with their strike until the end of the Teachers’ Day on May 2. The report adds that more than 50 students from Azad University of Shahr-e Kord have also gone on hunger strike in solidarity with workers.
A group of political prisoners in Evin, Gohardasht and Orumieh prisons have started a hunger strike in solidarity with workers and teachers since Friday, April 30, according to the Social Headquarters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran inside the country. They have announced that they will continue with their strike until the end of the Teachers’ Day on May 2. The report adds that more than 50 students from Azad University of Shahr-e Kord have also gone on hunger strike in solidarity with workers.
Dozens of labor activists are currently in jail for their protests against the Iranian regime’s suppressive and anti-labor policies and for their campaign to secure minimum rights of the workers.
Messrs. Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi, president and vice president of Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company; Ali Nejati, president of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane factory of Shoush and Jalil Ahmadi, Fereydoun Nikoofar, Qorban Ali Pour and Mohammad Heidari from the same factory; Afshin Shams from Ali-Goudarz factories; Salah Nemati and Mohammad Takab, workers from Sanandaj, are among the activists in jail.
The Iranian Resistance calls on the United Nations Security Council, International Labor Organization, all trade unions and international organizations defending the rights of workers to condemn the regime’s suppressive and anti-labor policies and adopt urgent and binding measures to get all political prisoners, especially labor activists, released in Iran.
Al Arabieh source:
According to Alarabieh workers in protests in Esfahan- central city of Iran- have clasjed with suppressive forces during the protest they held to commemorate the 1 May International Labor day.
INA
At 14h30 today thousands of students protested in Tehran student in an organised march in support of the Iranian workers. Female students lead the protests and played distinguished role in the gathering despite threats they have been receiving from the security apparatus of the University from 2 weeks before.
They chanted "Iran is becoming to be like Palestine, People why are you sitting around" and " Down with dictator", " Dictator shame on u. let go of the University"
Photo from archive
INA
According to news workers in Semanan -in central province of Iran- have also taken to the streets to protest and commemorate the International Labor Day in Iran despite severe security in the town.
Picture from Archive
Worker preying for the last IMAM asking his help and saying that our patient-ce has runout
Iranian regime extremley fragile, much fear of 1 May protests a display of fear as regime brings full force security (as can be managed) in front of the so called parliament, which is not an elected one but an appointed one.
Tabriz
Since 11 am this morning workers and families and students and teachers have participated in a strog held protests on the streets in Tabriz
They have gathered in front of Employment Office of the governor and demand employment of those3 who are discharged because of various reasons including syndicate rights.
Workers are chanting :"Bread and wages ibstead of petrol and nuclear on our tables"
They also demand basic rights such as food and bread and minimum wages of the past months.
The swarm of se3curity has not been able to keep the workers from outlasting their outcry
Photo from archive
Protests have been protesting in at least Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz, Ghavin and Mashad
Tehran
Helicopters are hovering on and around Azadi street to create fear
Security forces have brought buses full of security agents and are covering each 5 or 6 meters with agents and plain cloth men, starting befort he Bridge leading to the Labour Ministry. Most streets around them are blocked to prevent protesters from joing the workers in Azadi street
One person was attacked and taken away for taking shots by Mobile
Tehran
Helicopters are hovering on and around Azadi street to create fear
Security forces have brought buses full of security agents and are covering each 5 or 6 meters with agents and plain cloth men, starting befort he Bridge leading to the Labour Ministry. Most streets around them are blocked to prevent protesters from joing the workers in Azadi street
One person was attacked and taken away for taking shots by Mobile
Daliran Bibak
One worker who had participated earlier in front of the Labour Ministry protest, went to Tehran University and set himself on fire to protest the appalling situation of living and the suppressive measures today imposed on the workers who wished to have a peaceful protest!
The security guards did no tallow anyone to approach the protester who was on fore and chanting against the regime to prevent any outbreak of further protests.
Eye witnesses say that all roads leading to Azadi and Tehran University have been full of plain cloth men and security forces
Tehran
hundreds in front of the Labour Ministry in AZADI street, chanting " Down with dictator". "Every day is workers day"
In Navab street tens of workers who were proceeding to the protest were attacked by security guards and they started defending themselves and clashes have broken out.
clip showing workers gathering jsut before slogas begin
hundreds in front of the Labour Ministry in AZADI street, chanting " Down with dictator". "Every day is workers day"
In Navab street tens of workers who were proceeding to the protest were attacked by security guards and they started defending themselves and clashes have broken out.
clip showing workers gathering jsut before slogas begin
We just recived this message :
April 30, on the eve of May Day, clashes broke out between Tehran residents and hundreds of suppressive forces who had been mobilized in fear of protests in solidarity with Iranian workers.
April 30, on the eve of May Day, clashes broke out between Tehran residents and hundreds of suppressive forces who had been mobilized in fear of protests in solidarity with Iranian workers.
The clashes broke out at 6:30 pm local time after people began to jeer the repressive forces. The crowd swelled to 700 quickly as the protesters began to chant "death to Khamenei" and clashed with the regime's agents.
NCRI
A large number of Iranian workers join millions of unemployed everyday as layoff of workers in factories and work shops across Iran escalates.
A large number of Iranian workers join millions of unemployed everyday as layoff of workers in factories and work shops across Iran escalates.
In Tehran, Pars Vegetable Oil Co. has laid off a large number of its workers and is facing total bankruptcy. The remaining few workers are also on the verge of expulsion. Most of company's estate and facilities are looted by its state assigned managers.
In north-western city of Ardabil, Sabalan Parcheh Company, with some 1,500 worker has come to complete shutdown in recent weeks as all its workers have been laid off. protests by almost half of the work force that were laid off last year did not bear any fruit. The workers have not been paid for their last 6-15 months of labor.
Keyvan Co., Iran's largest chocolate producer, has laid off up to fifty of its workers with at least ten years of experience, Minoo Industrial Co, a large food production company has laid of some fifty workers with over five years of experience. Niroo Civil Engineering and Manufacturing Co. has laid off 150 workers with 10-15 years of experience. Ranguin Industrial & Chemical Co. has laid off 40 workers.
In Zarghan, located in southern Fars province, 80 workers of Pars Spaghetti Co. were laid off. In the same province, in Bam many municipality workers were laid off.
Due to anti-labor laws of the clerical regime, Iranian workers are deprived of the least support and job protection thus all the difficulties caused by destruction of industrial units and the regime's bankrupt economy are putting enormous pressure on tens of millions of poverty stricken and deprived families of eight million full time and millions of part time workers.
On the eve of the International Workers’ Day, the Iranian Resistance calls of the United Nations' Secretary General, International Labor Organization and all other workers’ rights organizations to condemn the Iranian regime's anti-labor policies and support the rights of Iranian workers.
Ahwaz:
Pipeline workers have gathered in front of the employment office of the regime in the town holding placards ans chanting slogans : "We will dies of HUNGER but NEVER SUBMIT to tyranny"
The regime has increased its security forces in town and mainly around the governors office.
Pipeline workers have gathered in front of the employment office of the regime in the town holding placards ans chanting slogans : "We will dies of HUNGER but NEVER SUBMIT to tyranny"
The regime has increased its security forces in town and mainly around the governors office.
INA
800 workers have gathered in Sports Stadium called in Imam's Heritage Stadium., to protests severe conditions of poverty and demand for their basic rights
Placards read :
We factory workers of porcelain of ALBORZ, demand reinstatement of the factory and getting back to work of all the unemployed workers
We have not received any wages in the past 7 months
"Workers UNITE UNITE"
"Supporting workers is supporting ISLAM"
reminder for our readers :
Using "Islam" in the slogans would help the workers to show less tendency for politics , which might be used by the state to label them as politically motivated and crash their protests.
800 workers have gathered in Sports Stadium called in Imam's Heritage Stadium., to protests severe conditions of poverty and demand for their basic rights
Placards read :
We factory workers of porcelain of ALBORZ, demand reinstatement of the factory and getting back to work of all the unemployed workers
We have not received any wages in the past 7 months
"Workers UNITE UNITE"
"Supporting workers is supporting ISLAM"
reminder for our readers :
Using "Islam" in the slogans would help the workers to show less tendency for politics , which might be used by the state to label them as politically motivated and crash their protests.
Shiraz Meat factory workers protest and demand basic rights .
Teachers have also showed solidarity with the workers as rallied by opposition groups
The photo reads :
Imprisonment of teachers is in sharp contradiction with JUSTICE
and,
We shall be with you our fellow teachers imprisoned
nasabonline.blogspot.com
At 10 am today, in Shiraz , tens of workers bravely gathered in front of the Fars governors' office in Shiraz.
They had plackards reading : "Congratulations workers of Iran for your day of unemployment, We shall not submit till we get our RIGHTS".
One of the workers told us about his drastic living condition : I have been unemployed for the past year with no benefits by the head office of the meat factory of Fars. There are 1200 more like me only in this one factory..."
For our readers : This factory is covered by the Jihad Sazandegi corporation owned by the Revolutionary Guards and linked to the Ministry of Jihad for agriculture (also controlled by the Guards)
Previouelsy in protests one of the slogans used in the crowds was "WHat happned to the Petrol revenues? They have been filling Bassidj and Guard pockets"..
Today Taxi drivers have stopped work inparts of cities and in Tehran in solidarity with unfair and poor living conditions of Iranian workers and also to show solidarity for the 1 May banned protests in Iran.
picture from archive
Reime has exceeded security since weeks ago tocurb any suspected march or protest on 1 May International Labour day:
A film clip showinf security tension prepared for the day :
A film clip showinf security tension prepared for the day :
Human Rights Activists in Iran
The court of Review in Mashhad issued heavy sentences for 9 Baha'i residents in this city.
According to these sentences, five of these men and women by the names of Sima Eshraqi, Rozita Vatefi, Davar Nabil Zadeh, Jalayer Vahdat and Nahid Qadiri were each sentenced to 5 years of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the government, acting against national security by membership in and illegal activities for a Baha'i organization, advertizing on behalf of and being in contact with outsiders, holding illegal gatherings, and publishing and distributing CD's and books related to the Baha'i faith.
Four other Baha'is by the names of Nasrin Qadiri, Kaviz Nouzedhi, Houman Bakht Avar and Sima Rajabian were sentenced to two years of prison.
Qadiri and Vatefi have been jailed for more than 40 days.
The court of Review in Mashhad issued heavy sentences for 9 Baha'i residents in this city.
According to these sentences, five of these men and women by the names of Sima Eshraqi, Rozita Vatefi, Davar Nabil Zadeh, Jalayer Vahdat and Nahid Qadiri were each sentenced to 5 years of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the government, acting against national security by membership in and illegal activities for a Baha'i organization, advertizing on behalf of and being in contact with outsiders, holding illegal gatherings, and publishing and distributing CD's and books related to the Baha'i faith.
Four other Baha'is by the names of Nasrin Qadiri, Kaviz Nouzedhi, Houman Bakht Avar and Sima Rajabian were sentenced to two years of prison.
Qadiri and Vatefi have been jailed for more than 40 days.
Kalameh Website
Agents of the Ahmadinejad government's Ministry of Intelligence are not satisfied with the legal procedures taken by the prosecutor's office. They are also not satisfied with the sentences issued for political prisoners and the measures taken for their freedom or granting them leaves. Political prisoners who had been granted furloughs have been summoned by the Intelligence Agency and asked to give interviews to 'break' them. They are threatened that they will be jailed if they refuse. (The Intelligence Agency) is also making new arrests and sends prisoners who are on leave to prison.
Agents of the Ahmadinejad government's Ministry of Intelligence are not satisfied with the legal procedures taken by the prosecutor's office. They are also not satisfied with the sentences issued for political prisoners and the measures taken for their freedom or granting them leaves. Political prisoners who had been granted furloughs have been summoned by the Intelligence Agency and asked to give interviews to 'break' them. They are threatened that they will be jailed if they refuse. (The Intelligence Agency) is also making new arrests and sends prisoners who are on leave to prison.
Jaras Website
Hashem Khastar, a retired teacher in Mashhad and head of the Teacher's Association in Mashhad has been denied a medical leave after 8 months of prison despite his heart problems.
In the past few days, his heart problem and high blood pressure has led to damage in his retina which has severely weakened his eyesight. His friends and family have made many attempts to get him a medical leave so that he would receive treatment outside of prison but the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and security institutions have refused to grant him a leave.
Security institutions have said they will grant his leave only if he completely ceases his political activities.
Khastar has refused to back down and has said that suffering from his illness is easier than choosing any option put to him by security institutions.
According to the law, all prisoners are allowed to request a leave after two months of prison and the prison is obliged to agree with the leave
Hashem Khastar, a retired teacher in Mashhad and head of the Teacher's Association in Mashhad has been denied a medical leave after 8 months of prison despite his heart problems.
In the past few days, his heart problem and high blood pressure has led to damage in his retina which has severely weakened his eyesight. His friends and family have made many attempts to get him a medical leave so that he would receive treatment outside of prison but the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and security institutions have refused to grant him a leave.
Security institutions have said they will grant his leave only if he completely ceases his political activities.
Khastar has refused to back down and has said that suffering from his illness is easier than choosing any option put to him by security institutions.
According to the law, all prisoners are allowed to request a leave after two months of prison and the prison is obliged to agree with the leave
Jaras Website
Political activist Farid Taheri, was sentenced to three years of prison in a court of first instance.
He was charged with assembling and conspiring to commit crimes against the country, spreading propaganda against the government and disrupting public order in court a session held on April 18, 2010.
This engineer who is also a member of the Iran Freedom Movement was summoned and subsequently arrested on January 17, 2010. He was transferred to cellblock 350 after two months of temporary detention in Evin Prison's notorious cellblock 209
Political activist Farid Taheri, was sentenced to three years of prison in a court of first instance.
He was charged with assembling and conspiring to commit crimes against the country, spreading propaganda against the government and disrupting public order in court a session held on April 18, 2010.
This engineer who is also a member of the Iran Freedom Movement was summoned and subsequently arrested on January 17, 2010. He was transferred to cellblock 350 after two months of temporary detention in Evin Prison's notorious cellblock 209
Iran News Agency
A labor activist in Saqez who asked not to be identified for security reasons said, "Because of the torture and pressure I was subjected to in prison both my kidneys were damaged and I am in a bad condition ".
"My doctor believes that because of the torture, my brain was also damaged and my ailments are increasing", he added.
This activist said that he had appealed to the United Nations to help him leave the country without result and that he is condemned to a gradual death
A labor activist in Saqez who asked not to be identified for security reasons said, "Because of the torture and pressure I was subjected to in prison both my kidneys were damaged and I am in a bad condition ".
"My doctor believes that because of the torture, my brain was also damaged and my ailments are increasing", he added.
This activist said that he had appealed to the United Nations to help him leave the country without result and that he is condemned to a gradual death
Majzubian Nour Website
On Sunday April 25, plainclothes agents raided the home of Bahiar Rajabi, a Neimatollahi Dervish in Fars Province at 7 pm.
During this attack, agents broke his home window and beat Rajabi. He was arrested by security forces and transferred a few hours later to the Abgarm Base in Kovar Town
On Sunday April 25, plainclothes agents raided the home of Bahiar Rajabi, a Neimatollahi Dervish in Fars Province at 7 pm.
During this attack, agents broke his home window and beat Rajabi. He was arrested by security forces and transferred a few hours later to the Abgarm Base in Kovar Town
Human Rights Activists in Iran
Two political prisoners have been kept in a state of limbo for 75 days in solitary in the Central Orumieh Prison. They are pressurized and mistreated.
Morad Mahali and Hossein Abdollahzadeh who were arrested on charges of moharebeh (enmity with God) by security forces are still kept in solitary after 75 days and are subjected to mental and physical pressure. Mahali is from Piranshahr while Hossein Abdollahzadeh is a political activist from Mahabad
Two political prisoners have been kept in a state of limbo for 75 days in solitary in the Central Orumieh Prison. They are pressurized and mistreated.
Morad Mahali and Hossein Abdollahzadeh who were arrested on charges of moharebeh (enmity with God) by security forces are still kept in solitary after 75 days and are subjected to mental and physical pressure. Mahali is from Piranshahr while Hossein Abdollahzadeh is a political activist from Mahabad
Kalameh Website
Ali Parviz, a student at Khajeh Nasir University in Tehran who went on a leave from prison before the Iranian New Year was taken back to prison from the hospital by security forces despite his critical condition.
He went on a furlough on a 300 million toman (about 300,000 dollars) bail and after going to the doctor because of constant asthma attacks he was hospitalized in the Special Lung Hospital of Masih Daneshvari after the doctor diagnosed him with lung infection and internal bleeding in his lungs which he had gotten in prison.
Last week after the end of his furlough, his family asked the representative of the prosecutor in Evin Prison that his furlough be extended because of the fact that he was hospitalized. But their constant pleas in this regard were left unanswered. Immediately after it was announced that he was hospitalized, the representative of the prosecutor went to the hospital at night and interrogated the Ali Parviz and all the hospital personnel and asked for his medical records.
The frequent visits of the prosecutor's representative to the hospital and a visit by the representative of the medical examiner on behalf of the prosecutor led Ali Parviz's doctor to release him from prison before the end of his treatment. After the announcement of his release from prison, agents of the prosecutor's office immediately came to the hospital for his arrest and separated him from his family. They took him to Evin Prison with an ambulance.
Ali Parviz was arrested on November 3, 2009 after security forces raided his home and was under constant interrogations while in a solitary cell. He was sentenced to 3 years of prison in an initial sentence by the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court headed by Moqiseh. Parviz is a computer engineering student at Khajeh Nasir University.
Ali Parviz, a student at Khajeh Nasir University in Tehran who went on a leave from prison before the Iranian New Year was taken back to prison from the hospital by security forces despite his critical condition.
He went on a furlough on a 300 million toman (about 300,000 dollars) bail and after going to the doctor because of constant asthma attacks he was hospitalized in the Special Lung Hospital of Masih Daneshvari after the doctor diagnosed him with lung infection and internal bleeding in his lungs which he had gotten in prison.
Last week after the end of his furlough, his family asked the representative of the prosecutor in Evin Prison that his furlough be extended because of the fact that he was hospitalized. But their constant pleas in this regard were left unanswered. Immediately after it was announced that he was hospitalized, the representative of the prosecutor went to the hospital at night and interrogated the Ali Parviz and all the hospital personnel and asked for his medical records.
The frequent visits of the prosecutor's representative to the hospital and a visit by the representative of the medical examiner on behalf of the prosecutor led Ali Parviz's doctor to release him from prison before the end of his treatment. After the announcement of his release from prison, agents of the prosecutor's office immediately came to the hospital for his arrest and separated him from his family. They took him to Evin Prison with an ambulance.
Ali Parviz was arrested on November 3, 2009 after security forces raided his home and was under constant interrogations while in a solitary cell. He was sentenced to 3 years of prison in an initial sentence by the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court headed by Moqiseh. Parviz is a computer engineering student at Khajeh Nasir University.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
According to reports, a female political prisoner has been held in a state of limbo in the notorious cellblock 209 in Evin Prison since her arrest on Ashura (December 27, 2009). Zahra Bahrami is a resident of Holland and has a dual Iranian and Dutch nationality. She came to Iran to visit her child.
This 45-year-old political prisoner is kept along with two other prisoners in one cell and has been banned from visiting her family since her arrest. Bahrami is suffering from depression because of the physical and psychological torture she was subjected to in prison.
Her family has been under pressure and threats by interrogators banning them from publishing news on Bahrami. They have been threatened that if they do, they will also be in trouble.
Bahrami was arrested in the Ashura protests after she was attacked by security forces and taken to cellblock 209 in Evin Prison. She was then transferred to a solitary cell in the Sepah Cellblock in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj where she was mentally and physically tortured and immorally insulted by interrogators of the Ministry of Intelligence to give televised interviews. She was forced to give a couple of interviews.
Interrogators broadcasted her interviews after she signed a written pledge of cooperation and used her interviews as confessions against her. She has been charged with Moharebeh, acting against national security, and being a member of the Royalist Association among other things.
According to reports, a female political prisoner has been held in a state of limbo in the notorious cellblock 209 in Evin Prison since her arrest on Ashura (December 27, 2009). Zahra Bahrami is a resident of Holland and has a dual Iranian and Dutch nationality. She came to Iran to visit her child.
This 45-year-old political prisoner is kept along with two other prisoners in one cell and has been banned from visiting her family since her arrest. Bahrami is suffering from depression because of the physical and psychological torture she was subjected to in prison.
Her family has been under pressure and threats by interrogators banning them from publishing news on Bahrami. They have been threatened that if they do, they will also be in trouble.
Bahrami was arrested in the Ashura protests after she was attacked by security forces and taken to cellblock 209 in Evin Prison. She was then transferred to a solitary cell in the Sepah Cellblock in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj where she was mentally and physically tortured and immorally insulted by interrogators of the Ministry of Intelligence to give televised interviews. She was forced to give a couple of interviews.
Interrogators broadcasted her interviews after she signed a written pledge of cooperation and used her interviews as confessions against her. She has been charged with Moharebeh, acting against national security, and being a member of the Royalist Association among other things.
Advar News
Credible reports say that the living conditions of prisoners in cellblock 350 in Evin Prison are very poor.
The crowdedness and the unprecedented number of prisoners in this cell is way over the capacity of this block and these prisoners are denied from minimum welfare and hygiene facilities which has made conditions very difficult for them.
According to this report, the sanitary condition and the state of medical treatment have reached a critical point and many prisoners have come down with the influenza and other contagious diseases.
The very low quality of food, cleanliness and the presence of more than 40 to 45 prisoners in every cell has caused many problems for the prisoners.
The condition in block 350 is so concerning that in the past few days, the prosecutor and a number of interrogators from the Revolutionary Court visited this block and were informed of the many problems prisoners were facing, but nothing has been done to solve them yet
Credible reports say that the living conditions of prisoners in cellblock 350 in Evin Prison are very poor.
The crowdedness and the unprecedented number of prisoners in this cell is way over the capacity of this block and these prisoners are denied from minimum welfare and hygiene facilities which has made conditions very difficult for them.
According to this report, the sanitary condition and the state of medical treatment have reached a critical point and many prisoners have come down with the influenza and other contagious diseases.
The very low quality of food, cleanliness and the presence of more than 40 to 45 prisoners in every cell has caused many problems for the prisoners.
The condition in block 350 is so concerning that in the past few days, the prosecutor and a number of interrogators from the Revolutionary Court visited this block and were informed of the many problems prisoners were facing, but nothing has been done to solve them yet
The 28th branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court headed by Moqiseh,( One of the board of torturers reponsible for the massacre of political prisoners in 1968) sentenced Mohsen Ghamin, a student activist, to prison.
According to reports, Ghamin, a construction engineer student at Amir Kabir University and member of the Students for Freedom and Equality was sentenced to 2 years of prison on charges of acting against security
According to reports, Ghamin, a construction engineer student at Amir Kabir University and member of the Students for Freedom and Equality was sentenced to 2 years of prison on charges of acting against security
Kalamaeh site
Ayub Qanbarpourian, who was arrested during the post election protests, has been kept in prison for 10 months without any visits with his family and relatives.
He has been taken to court 3 times in these 10 months but no sentence has been issued for him and he is kept in a total state of limbo.
Qanbarpourian, 20, is from a village in Lorestan and worked as a construction worker in Tehran. He participated in the peaceful demos in protest to election results on June 12 and was arrested and jailed. He was the breadwinner of his family and in the past few months, his family has been suffering from severe financial problems.
Ayub Qanbarpourian, who was arrested during the post election protests, has been kept in prison for 10 months without any visits with his family and relatives.
He has been taken to court 3 times in these 10 months but no sentence has been issued for him and he is kept in a total state of limbo.
Qanbarpourian, 20, is from a village in Lorestan and worked as a construction worker in Tehran. He participated in the peaceful demos in protest to election results on June 12 and was arrested and jailed. He was the breadwinner of his family and in the past few months, his family has been suffering from severe financial problems.
Human Rights Activists in Iran
In the past week, three people were hanged in Mashhad and Dezful while the flogging sentence of another person was carried out in public by the Department of Justice.
Quds state-run daily said today that the execution of two people in Mashhad prison was carried out on charges of rape in two separate cases. Their names were not mentioned in this report.
The Khuzestan Justice Department also announced yesterday that last Tuesday (April 20, 2010) a person by the name of Rahman R. was hanged in Dezful Prison on charges of intentional beating and murder of Davoud T.
In a statement, the Khuzestan Justice Department also said that a person identified a Reza S. was lashed in public for immoral conduct in the Homafaran Intersection in Masjed Soleiman on April 20. The number of lashes was not specified.
In the past week, three people were hanged in Mashhad and Dezful while the flogging sentence of another person was carried out in public by the Department of Justice.
Quds state-run daily said today that the execution of two people in Mashhad prison was carried out on charges of rape in two separate cases. Their names were not mentioned in this report.
The Khuzestan Justice Department also announced yesterday that last Tuesday (April 20, 2010) a person by the name of Rahman R. was hanged in Dezful Prison on charges of intentional beating and murder of Davoud T.
In a statement, the Khuzestan Justice Department also said that a person identified a Reza S. was lashed in public for immoral conduct in the Homafaran Intersection in Masjed Soleiman on April 20. The number of lashes was not specified.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
According to reports, on the eve of International Labor Day, a new case was filed against the head of the Tehran Bus Company Union, Mansour Osalu.
On April 25, this political prisoner was taken to the 6th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj with shackles and a new case was filed against him. His complainants were Ali Haj Kazem and Ali Mohammadi, the head and assistant head of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj (where this labor leader is detained). Osalu was charged with being in contact with government dissidents in prison.
According to reports, on the eve of International Labor Day, a new case was filed against the head of the Tehran Bus Company Union, Mansour Osalu.
On April 25, this political prisoner was taken to the 6th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj with shackles and a new case was filed against him. His complainants were Ali Haj Kazem and Ali Mohammadi, the head and assistant head of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj (where this labor leader is detained). Osalu was charged with being in contact with government dissidents in prison.
Mukarian News Agency
Sadeq Ahangari who is a resident of Bukan was sentenced to prison by the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad.
This man was arrested last February by security forces in Bukan and was recently sentenced to 18 months of prison by the Revolutionary Court.
He has been charged with working with dissident parties and is currently in Mahabad Prison
Sadeq Ahangari who is a resident of Bukan was sentenced to prison by the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad.
This man was arrested last February by security forces in Bukan and was recently sentenced to 18 months of prison by the Revolutionary Court.
He has been charged with working with dissident parties and is currently in Mahabad Prison
Human Rights Activists in Iran
According to reports, the shop of a Baha'i man in Birjand by the name of Siavosh Deimi was shut and sealed off by agents of the Public Places Department.
According to reports, the shop of a Baha'i man in Birjand by the name of Siavosh Deimi was shut and sealed off by agents of the Public Places Department.
Radio Germany Website
Four days before Teachers' Day in Iran, two teachers and members of the central council of the Teachers' Association were arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence.
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, agents of the Intelligence Agency went to the homes of Ali-Akbar Baghani, the Secretary General of the Teachers' Association and Mohammad Beheshti Langeroudi, the spokesman of this association and arrested them. Some of the weblogs of the members of this association has also been filtered.
Baghani and Langeroudi had been summoned to court on April 24. They answered a few questions asked by the judge and returned to their homes.
Four days before Teachers' Day in Iran, two teachers and members of the central council of the Teachers' Association were arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence.
On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, agents of the Intelligence Agency went to the homes of Ali-Akbar Baghani, the Secretary General of the Teachers' Association and Mohammad Beheshti Langeroudi, the spokesman of this association and arrested them. Some of the weblogs of the members of this association has also been filtered.
Baghani and Langeroudi had been summoned to court on April 24. They answered a few questions asked by the judge and returned to their homes.
Human Rights Activists in Iran
According to reports, Masumeh Yavari, who is protester and was arrested in the post election unrest, was only allowed to have a lawyer in her first court session. The government has requested the death sentence for her.
Mohammad Seifzadeh, her lawyer said, "Ms. Yavari's trial will be held on May 5 and the prosecutor has requested the death sentence for her".
"I had not seen my client until her first trial and she was deprived of a lawyer until that time", he added.
According to reports, Masumeh Yavari, who is protester and was arrested in the post election unrest, was only allowed to have a lawyer in her first court session. The government has requested the death sentence for her.
Mohammad Seifzadeh, her lawyer said, "Ms. Yavari's trial will be held on May 5 and the prosecutor has requested the death sentence for her".
"I had not seen my client until her first trial and she was deprived of a lawyer until that time", he added.
Daneshju News
Mohsen Abdi, an agricultural major at Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan who was arrested during the Ashura protests (December 27, 2009) was sentenced to two years of prison last week by the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court headed by Moqiseh.
Mohsen Abdi is currently detained in cellblock 350 in Evin Prison and he has been deprived of going on a furlough.
His family cannot effectively pursue his case because they live in another town and have a bad financial condition
Mohsen Abdi, an agricultural major at Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan who was arrested during the Ashura protests (December 27, 2009) was sentenced to two years of prison last week by the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court headed by Moqiseh.
Mohsen Abdi is currently detained in cellblock 350 in Evin Prison and he has been deprived of going on a furlough.
His family cannot effectively pursue his case because they live in another town and have a bad financial condition
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
April 26, prisoners in cellblock 6 in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj were pulled out of their cells and taken to the prison yard. One of the prisoners by the name of Ali-Akbar Lamaei, 30, from cell 2, hall 16 uses sedatives because he is suffering from a mental illness.
When the prisoners were being taken to the yard, he was moving at the back of the line because of his condition.
Prison guards insulted him and then took him to section 8, where they beat him with clubs and iron pipes. He became injured and some of his body parts were fractured as result after which he went into a coma. Prison guards first left him in that condition for a long time before he was taken to the prison infirmary. The infirmary announced that he was in critical condition. The painful sounds of his crying and sobbing which were heard in the prison yard enraged his cellmates.
The prison guards who were torturing Ali-Akbar Lamaei were Qasem Mohammadi aka Uncle Qasem, Sheikhi, Ahmadi and Eqbani
April 26, prisoners in cellblock 6 in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj were pulled out of their cells and taken to the prison yard. One of the prisoners by the name of Ali-Akbar Lamaei, 30, from cell 2, hall 16 uses sedatives because he is suffering from a mental illness.
When the prisoners were being taken to the yard, he was moving at the back of the line because of his condition.
Prison guards insulted him and then took him to section 8, where they beat him with clubs and iron pipes. He became injured and some of his body parts were fractured as result after which he went into a coma. Prison guards first left him in that condition for a long time before he was taken to the prison infirmary. The infirmary announced that he was in critical condition. The painful sounds of his crying and sobbing which were heard in the prison yard enraged his cellmates.
The prison guards who were torturing Ali-Akbar Lamaei were Qasem Mohammadi aka Uncle Qasem, Sheikhi, Ahmadi and Eqbani
Iran press news
One person was killed and two others were severely injured after security forces opened fire on them on the Turkey -Iran border.
Ashraf Bargin, 22 was killed while Valkan Bargin, 17, and Najib, 13, were severely injured after security forces opened fire on them in the border region of the town of Khoy
One person was killed and two others were severely injured after security forces opened fire on them on the Turkey -Iran border.
Ashraf Bargin, 22 was killed while Valkan Bargin, 17, and Najib, 13, were severely injured after security forces opened fire on them in the border region of the town of Khoy
April 25, 2010 Azerbaijani activist Samad Molla-Gholi was tried in Tabriz on Saturday April 24 on the charge of illegally crossing Iran’s border into Turkey
The trial session of Azerbaijani civil activist Samad Molla-Gholi was held in Tabriz on Saturday, April 24th, at the third branch of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Bayat.
According to Savalan Sesi, the Azerbaijani activist was charged with illegally crossing Iran’s border into Turkey. According to the prosecutor’s indictment, Samad Molla-Gholi left Iran by crossing the land border into Turkey together with Mohammad Yarhoun, another Azerbaijani activist now a refugee in Turkey. He returned to Iran by illegally crossing the same border.
Samad Molla-Gholi and Mohammad Yarhoun were previously arrested by police on May 5, 2008, while distributing flyers for the second anniversary of protests against the insulting cartoon of state-run “Iran” newspaper. The lower court had sentenced them to 91 days of imprisonment on the charge of propaganda against the system, a verdict later suspended by the Appeals Court.
The trial session of Azerbaijani civil activist Samad Molla-Gholi was held in Tabriz on Saturday, April 24th, at the third branch of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Bayat.
According to Savalan Sesi, the Azerbaijani activist was charged with illegally crossing Iran’s border into Turkey. According to the prosecutor’s indictment, Samad Molla-Gholi left Iran by crossing the land border into Turkey together with Mohammad Yarhoun, another Azerbaijani activist now a refugee in Turkey. He returned to Iran by illegally crossing the same border.
Samad Molla-Gholi and Mohammad Yarhoun were previously arrested by police on May 5, 2008, while distributing flyers for the second anniversary of protests against the insulting cartoon of state-run “Iran” newspaper. The lower court had sentenced them to 91 days of imprisonment on the charge of propaganda against the system, a verdict later suspended by the Appeals Court.
The daughter of prominent Iranian journalist and human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi who was arrested on December 28, 2009, after massive protests in Tehran and elsewhere, has written a letter to his father who is currently in Evin prison.
Maryam Baghi’s Letter to Her Father Emadeddin Baghi on the Occasion of his Hundredth Day of Incarceration
Emad Who Does Not Have Support
My dearest father, salaam. Greetings to your sublime spirit, greetings to your dignified and love-filled existence, greetings to your strong morale, and greetings to your ailing body. My heart beats strongly for your health of which you became deprived in a difficult and unsuitable cell in your last period of incarceration. The Iranian year 1388 ended while you were not with us and today is the seventeenth day of spring, 100 days after your arrest. Until the turning of the year we were so hopeful the doorbell would ring and you would enter. But we heard later that you were a guest at the hospital… They had accepted your bail and had said that you would come. The Wednesday night before New Year we stared at the prison door until midnight and we were hoping that at the moment of the year turning we would be praying together… But they didn’t let us. It was the same for Mohammad. You stood with us until the middle of the night in front of Evin Prison, and he was not released that night either. But we continue to rely on the Creator who is aware of all hidden secrets. On the first night of the New Year, when after three weeks we heard your voice, although briefly, on the phone you recited this Hafez couplet: Don’t lose hope as you are not aware of the invisible/Behind curtains there are hidden games, don’t grieve.
This is the fifth spring that for us there is a feel of prison and you are in prison. Dear father I am sorry that because of unwanted self-censorship I am forced to leave some of the stories of the days without you for another time. Perhaps it will have to wait until you come and I can recite in your ears what has happened and what have they done to us. This is the third time that imprisonment – the approach used in undeveloped and Third World countries in order to limit thinkers and as a punishment for speaking – has become your share. It was less than a year after your last release that the June 12 elections occurred and our house was emptied from Mohammad’s presence. Not much had passed from his release that the demise of that great Faqih left cold sweat on our foreheads and it was the seventh day after the demise of that departed dear and on the occasion of Hussein’s Ashura that they took you in black mourning shirt from our home.
In the past years that you were imprisoned I wrote you repeatedly about my grievances about the world and my heavy-heartedness. In those days our fatigue and pain was less understood and it was not like these days when prison has become more encompassing. We had learned to keep our loneliness inside. I tried to not let mother, sister and others know the great sadness that had formed home inside my heart, taking its toll. I thought Mohammad should not be bothered so his pen could be free. They thought the same as well. Even Mina who was younger than everyone and was in elementary school had learned to cover well. Paper and pen was my friend and companion. But during the days Mohammad was not with us I abandoned covering up in front of you more than anyone else. And you as always kindly asked me to remain hopeful and calm. But in the days you were not with us I again pour my heart out with pen and pencil more than anything else.
On the fortieth day, sixtieth day, seventieth day, eightieth day….. I have kept them all. Although I am tired of writing, tired of penning letters that all can read; whether they are letters that because of thousand reasons are archived in my memory or unanswered letters to the case judge as well as the ultimate judge or poems registered in my heart because of separation. But the blood in my veins, keeping faith in your compassionate thoughts, cries for resistance. I have written to God as well and know he is the only one who hears me and I calm down only when I remember his verses. “I know what you know not.” (The Cow: 30); “It is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you.” (The Cow: 216). And following you who read the patience verse – “Seek ((Allah)’s help with patient perseverance and prayer” (The Cow: 45) – we patiently wait and fatigue is not an obstacle to perseverance since you were always for me and us a beacon of perseverance.
What strange days Fridays have become. Anticipation is grafted with anticipation. “Moments of Descent.” It is the day of anxiety at sunset. The end of two months of incarceration, the day that we expected the end of this stage of imprisonment for the crime of expression of ideas was a Friday. The fortieth day that the prison bars had surrounded you was also a Friday; the fortieth of the martyr of freedom in the Karbala of resistance and perseverance and fortieth day of being away from you. Father, what convergence have these days. When they took away Mohammad in front my eyes at midnight on 30th of Khordad it was a Friday. And when God released him it was a Friday morning, the eight day of the eight month of year 1388, on the birthday of the eight Imam. The last day of 1388 was again a Friday and this time with the promise they had given us about your release we were full of hope. I don’t know when will be our last Friday of anticipation leading to anticipation.
This is the fate of our many years: anxiety, inspection, court, interrogation, and imprisonment. Before, you had experienced 1500 days of prison. This means you were absent during Mina’s childhood, adolescence of Monireh and my youth and even at my marriage. Then years ago Mohammad, who was sent to prison after you, was released after a short while. We had not yet exchanged vows and you were sentenced to several years of prison. With the promise that you could attend our wedding we were set to exchange vows. The ceremony began while we were still waiting for you. They had said you had to come with prison clothes with tied hands and guards. You sent a telephone message through a cellmate: Tell my wife Fatemeh that I will celebrate the wedding of my daughter Maryam here. I know they don’t want me to be present in their happiness this way.” I cried inside throughout the ceremony and when in the last moments, through the efforts of the then Majles Speaker and others, they brought you the cries inside of me turned into wailing.
During the Ninth government you again tasted prison which was more difficult than before and this year – this cursed year – it was first Mohammad who was sent to prison and then again you. The tall wall of the narrow cells of Ward 240 again became your host and now they are the only image in front of your eyes for days. I wish I could become a guest in your small cell, cover your sturdy shoulders with kisses and tell you happy New Year father and that as always I am proud of you and know that your great spirit is not limited by this small cell; a spirit full of honesty, sincerity, and candour. Although they had not allowed you even a Quran for 50 days, I know that you recited the verses and God’s light shines over you in the cell in which you are closer to Him. There is nothing in that cell but spirituality. Your sin is that that you demand tolerance and patience, peace and friendship, respect for human generosity, the right to life and not imprisoning even opponents. You insist that the standard and criteria for good and bad is conduct; the same God considers a measure and tests and distinguishes humans on that basis. “Save those who believe and do righteous good deeds (The Splitting Asunder: 25)
These days perhaps away from our eyes watching, it is perhaps easier for you to mourn your teacher’s departure. You are not here to witness things that always pained you. I can guess if you were here the angst you would feel for each execution order. Whenever noose was someone’s fate, even if he was guilty, you would make every effort to replace it with another punishment. If the decision was based on retribution you would try until the last minute before execution to gain the acceptance of the victim’s family and if execution was awaiting a guilty person you would do everything from writing letters to authorities to writing articles. Your book “The Right to Life” was written in two volumes but ended like many of your other books which never received publication permit or were banned, never reaching readers in Iran although they reached readers in Lebanon and Egypt. How wonderful it would be if they could be read in Iran. How much you wanted the culture of peace and toleration to be institutionalized in Iran. But what happened?! Why is the path to freedom, serenity and peace so rocky, dark and narrow? Don’t be saddened father. This shall pass too… Now in this cell perhaps you witness the sorrow of others less. I know that other people’s sorrow made you even more hurt. These days you were not here to comfort us for the banning of newspapers. The number of banned newspapers is so high that we have lost count and this lack of employment apparently is supposed to longer than other times.
Father, if in the past the sound of only few seekers of freedom and rights was heard, now the voices have increased. With the imprisonment of one voice, thousands voices of freedom rise from everywhere. One of your ward mates was recently freed. He was separated from you by a couple of cells and said that he could hear your voice occasionally. A guard told you not to raise your voice and you said: “We are imprisoned; our voices are not.” Your voice from inside the high cement walls of Evin Prison traverses all of Tehran’s streets and now many other voices accompany yours. Your voice is the beacon of freedom and Justice. Then why do they consider you an enemy?! Now the number of people considered enemy is increasing day by day. Many members of martyrs (shahid) families, people who still have sorrow in their hearts, are unbelievably accused of opposing the ideals of the revolution when in fact they are trying to preserve them. The families of Shahid Behehsti, Shahid Rajai, even shahid Motahhari, Shahid Qadusi, Shahid Bakeri, Shahid Hemmat, the family of Imam, and many revolutionaries are judged this way. I do not know what they imagine that at times they accuse you and them of cooperating with outsiders in order to harm a revolution that you yourselves created or they call you a hypocrite. What do they mean? I haven’t seen any discord between pen and heart, inside and outside, between thoughts and expression, words and your behavior. I do not know why expressions are becoming fearless, accusation sharp and baseless, and for threatening and limiting critics. Is it not that the reformists only want reform and are loyal to the revolutionary ideals that are the result of hundred years of struggle to get rid of monarch and dictatorship? Wasn’t freedom along with republicanism and Islam the main slogans of the Iranian Revolution? Didn’t you shout the slogans of independence, freedom, and Islamic Republic in the despot-ridden streets?
When many of your friends were in prison and Mohammad was there too you could not sit still. It was as though if you could not find a solution you had to be in fetters too. Of course even when you were free it was as though you were in prison. Neither was there the possibility of work nor the possibility of any activities. More than twenty times they had stopped your work and prevented publications of books and newspapers as well as your teaching and research. Even in the past year locks were placed on the doors of the Association for Defending the Rights of Prisoners even though you had stepped aside from its leadership so that your presence would not lead to the prevention of the work of that association. You were left in the corner of the house with an old computer and a pen from which blood was dripping. They could not even tolerate this. You were a critic and not an enemy but they harassed you out of enmity every once in a while. But you still taught us, who are stunned and in awe, the slogan of long live my opponent and gave us hope for peace and serenity. Is it not that God swears to olive, that expression of peace and friendship, and to the hometown of the honest one, Mecca. But father your ideal city has become a dream in this country. And that friend of yours Qeysar, who is not longer with us, is no longer with us to write long poems in these bitter times. He said it right that “poets created an ideal city that they did not even dream in their dreams.” I have only read about the ideal city in poems and stories but this does not mean that your words should be in sheath because we have been created to seek the truth, express reality, try to rid the world of oppression and cruelty, and push society towards happiness. If this is not the case, then what is the difference between us and four-legged animals.
In the past 100 days I have seen yow twice, for a short period. Minutes became important and I wish those twenty minutes could be tied to your freedom. Father I have not become used to hearing your dignified voice on the phone. I have not become used to meeting in rooms that in previous years I had also walked in them and each time prayed to be the last time. I have not become used to your embrace that had to be divided in a short period of time among my sisters, my mother and I; to Mina’s hands that at the time of saying goodbye would resist loosening their embrace around your neck; to Monireh’s eyes which would follow you until the last second before the door closed. I have not gotten used to any of them. Everyone says that our experience with your imprisonments has made everything normal for us but it has never become normal; only our previous injury has become deeper and our wound has become older and now we are more afflicted than ever. How can I become used to my mother’s face, full of tolerance and patience, giving us an artificial smile. No Father, I have not become used to the anxiety and heartsickness of my sisters hidden behind the mask of being carefree. I have not even become used to seeing the people who everyday run in the streets like machines in search of a livelihood to fill the empty stomach of their children; children who are being raised with slogans of justice and getting rid of poverty and discrimination and whose parents say nothing because they are afraid of the consequences for themselves and the same children.
Perhaps this is your legacy that has remained everlasting in me since your big sin is that you do not become used to seeing the sorrow of others and abnormal behavior, I also do not become used to the imprisonment of you and others like you. Every second I do not forget that behind the tall walls of a prison in the most northwest part of the city and in other prisons there are people whose only sin is criticism for the sake of reform; the same approach taught to us by prophets and Imams. I say to you dear Father, who with tied wings but a heart full of faith and steadfast thoughts is sitting in the cage of those who cannot accept criticism, that you are the one truly free of fetters.
Although I wish freedom for you and others, I know that wherever you are Emad’s God is with you. Whenever that great faqih, who for interviewing him you are now in prison, would see you he would recite from the Joshan Kabir prayer “Emad, who does not have support.” Yes it is only He who is support for someone who has nothing to rely upon and I leave you whose name is a combination of divine names to the support for existence; to that Emad Baghi.
Still every bell that rings, our heart drops, thinking that it might be you. I hope that the curse in the past year stays there and this spring becomes the spring of your freedom from prison. We await you.
In the past when you were in prison one of your friends wrote a poem for you. It was Mojtaba Kashani and these days I recite it to myself:
Whoever has Messiah on his essence
His place is in the midst of a cage
Wherever there is good-natured chick
It is afflicted, enslaved and imprisoned
The fish’s charming dance
Makes the tank its own
Whoever has goodness in his destiny
There are days he will hurt
With black voice and crow’s face
Will fly free to the garden’s middle
Every canary that crows
Will take self out of the cage
As soon as black cloth is worn
Safe haven is given in the garden
Either crow and freedom
Or canary and being cage-ridden
Still being in the constriction of the cage
Is better than being bad and ugly in essence
Being in prison with angel’s luster
Is better than being a raven in a feast
Maryam Baghi
Shiva Nazar Ahari, a human rights activist and member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR), has spent more than 120 days in prison. She was arrested for the second time in one year on 20 December 2009. Previously, she spent 102 days in prison, 33 in solitary confinement, and was released on $200,000 bail on 23 September 2009.
Shahrzad Kariman, Nazar Ahari’s mother, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that she and her daughter’s lawyers’ endless search for locating case files in different branches of the Revolutionary Courts have been fruitless.
The Evin Court judge has received Nazar Ahari’s most recent defense, charging her with “propagation against the regime through cooperation with CHRR’s website,” and “actions against national security through participation in gatherings on 4 November 2009 and 7 December 2009.” Nazar Ahari has denied participation in the mentioned gatherings and stated she was working during both events.
Nazar Ahari was arrested last year on 20 December 2009 along with Kouhyar Goudarzi and Saeed Haeri, two other members of the independent organization . On that day, a bus taking several political and civil activists to Ayatollah Montazeri’s funeral in Qom was stopped by security forces in Tehran’s Enghelab Square. Three members of CHRR were arrested and transferred to Evin Prison.
Regarding the latest attempt to locate her daughter’s case file, Shahrzad Kariman told the Campaign: “I went to the court twice. They didn’t give me any information about her first file and whether the file is under review in Branch 26 or not. One of Shiva’s lawyers, Ms. Moezzi, was told that her file is in Branch 26, but no registration number is available yet in the Branch’s computer. Regarding her second file, the Prosecutor ordered that both files be merged andreviewed in one place, but we don’t have any further news and no dates have been set for the trial.
The 3rd Branch of Evin Court has informed Shiva of two charges. One is ‘creating public anxiety through writing on CHRR’s website and other sites,’ a charge which other members share. Her second charge is ‘actions against national security through participation in gatherings on 4 November 2009 and 7 December 2009 gatherings.’
Shiva has denied these charges because she wasn’t present at those gatherings and the Evin Court Judge has concluded the case as such. Today, [24 April 2010], I was at the court between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. When I went to Branch 26, they told me that I had to file a new inquiry to confirm that the file is there. When I went to file an inquiry, they told me that the first file is in Branch 2 and there is no new information about it. The new file, dated 20 December 2009, was sent to Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Courts, but I was told at that branch that Shiva had objected to her arrest orders and after reviewing her objection, her case file was forwarded, but they wouldn’t tell me where.”
In the most recent meeting with her mother last Thursday, Nazar Ahari said that the judge in Branch 3 of Evin Prison Court informed her after receiving her most recent defense, that her case file was forwarded to a trial court. Additionally, due to her imprisonment, she was told efforts would be made to expedite her trial date. Kariman described Nazar Ahari’s mental state as “good,” and about her conditions in prison said: “Shiva remains in Ward 209 and even though she requested to be moved to the [General] Ward,remains i
n a two-person cell with Ms. [Hengameh] Shahidi. Her psychological state was good, but she has been in prison for five months. Her temporary detention orders, valid for two months, have expired and not been extended.”Picture: Khanjani
Regarding the pursuit of Nazar Ahari’s case files, Kariman said: “Her lawyers keep going to court, but when they go to Branch 26 they receive no answers about her 14 June 2009 case which contains an indictment and has already been allocated to a branch. The branch office manager has been kind enough to acknowledge that the file is in that branch, but said the case doesn’t have a registration number and it cannot be located in the computer.”
Kariman also referred to the inappropriate treatment she has received during visits with her daughter and the limitations created for her in-person visits. Describing the visits she said: “The treatment is not very good. Shiva was very unhappy with the treatment at visitation time and said that they insult and yell at her. There are no particular problems with visits through booths, but in-person visits have become problematic and no family members other than parents are allowed to visit. Continuing this situation will be very difficult, as Shiva’s sisters have been unable to see her. If visits are limited like this, it will not just be difficult for us, it will be difficult for all prisoners. First, they were going to let [other family members] have in-person visits along with parents, but apparently the Prosecutor has ordered that only the father, mother, or spouse can have in-person visits, limiting the right of family members.”
Kariman said she remains hopeful that Shiva will be released soon on the bail they had previously posted. “We posted a $200,000 bail in her previous case, and we haven’t requested a bail refund yet. I thought if they combined the two files to issue new bail orders, the existing bail would serve for her release. I don’t know if they would release her on the same bail or a lower bail. I am optimistic that they will not ask for a higher bail.”
Currently Navid Khanjani and Kouhyar Goudarzi, two other members of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters remain in prison. Kouhyar Goudarzi is in Ward 350 and Navid Khanjani is in IRGC’s Ward 2-A at Evin Prison. Another CHRR member, Ali Kalaee, was informed in writing yesterday to appear at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Courts in order to continue investigations
Kalameh site
Three teachers and activists in the Teacher's Association were arrested by the Intelligence Agency in Hamedan.
The Hamedan Intelligence Agency arrested Ali Najafi, Mohammad Khani and Saied Jahan Ara after asking them over the phone to present themselves to the Intelligence Agency at 8 am.
They were subjected to long interrogations after going to the intelligence agency and were then taken to solitary cells in the Agency's Detention Center. There is still no news on their condition.
Three teachers and activists in the Teacher's Association were arrested by the Intelligence Agency in Hamedan.
The Hamedan Intelligence Agency arrested Ali Najafi, Mohammad Khani and Saied Jahan Ara after asking them over the phone to present themselves to the Intelligence Agency at 8 am.
They were subjected to long interrogations after going to the intelligence agency and were then taken to solitary cells in the Agency's Detention Center. There is still no news on their condition.
Goya News
According to reports, political prisoners in the women's section in Evin Prison held a sit-in outside the office of the head of this section and demanded that prison regulations that state that prisoners have to be segregated in respect of their crimes be carried out.
The head of the block, Rezayi, threatened them saying that the prosecutor has to order the segregation. These prisoners announced that they will continue their protest until their demands are met. In this section, all female prisoners are segregated by their crimes except political prisoners.
According to reports, political prisoners in the women's section in Evin Prison held a sit-in outside the office of the head of this section and demanded that prison regulations that state that prisoners have to be segregated in respect of their crimes be carried out.
The head of the block, Rezayi, threatened them saying that the prosecutor has to order the segregation. These prisoners announced that they will continue their protest until their demands are met. In this section, all female prisoners are segregated by their crimes except political prisoners.
Human Rights Activists in Iran
A jailed Kurd Syrian national, Ramezan Ahmad Kamal, has not received any medical attention despite his poor health and need for treatment.
According to this report, Ramezan Ahmad Kamal from Qameshlou in Syria's Kurdistan is unable to cope with prison because of his many illnesses and has to receive treatment outside prison. Legal procedures for this issue have been taken many times but relevant officials have deprived him of medical treatment.
He is currently kept in inhumane conditions in cellblock 8 in the Orumieh Central Prison and has been denied the right to a lawyer
A jailed Kurd Syrian national, Ramezan Ahmad Kamal, has not received any medical attention despite his poor health and need for treatment.
According to this report, Ramezan Ahmad Kamal from Qameshlou in Syria's Kurdistan is unable to cope with prison because of his many illnesses and has to receive treatment outside prison. Legal procedures for this issue have been taken many times but relevant officials have deprived him of medical treatment.
He is currently kept in inhumane conditions in cellblock 8 in the Orumieh Central Prison and has been denied the right to a lawyer
Human Rights Activists in Iran
Two jailed teachers in Evin Prison have been under pressure by interrogators of the Ministry of Intelligence in the past few months to prevent the publishing of the news of their arrest.
According to reports, two detained teachers, Qorban Ahmadi and Hossein Bastani Nejad, are under pressure so that their families refrain from publishing the news of their arrest and condition. Qorban Ahmadi in the principal of a Quran school in regions 5 and 2 of Tehran and Hossein Bastani Nejad is a retired teacher
Two jailed teachers in Evin Prison have been under pressure by interrogators of the Ministry of Intelligence in the past few months to prevent the publishing of the news of their arrest.
According to reports, two detained teachers, Qorban Ahmadi and Hossein Bastani Nejad, are under pressure so that their families refrain from publishing the news of their arrest and condition. Qorban Ahmadi in the principal of a Quran school in regions 5 and 2 of Tehran and Hossein Bastani Nejad is a retired teacher
The importance of the defeat the Iranian regime faced in its 10 year long thrust to infiltrate the UN apparatus in Geneva is yet to be understood for years to come.
Only some time ago, Iranian President AN had jestingly spat out in a demagogic statement that the US and other members have frightful records of HR violations, where as the regime had "none" and that Iran was the safest haven on earth. This astonishing statement came at the time when news of rape and torture of detained protesters filled blogs and news appeared world wide!
NCRI
The mullahs’ regime announced on Saturday, 24 April, that it has withdrawn its candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council, despite the staggering costs this had had for the Iranian people.
The decision comes at a time when in recent days the religious fascism ruling Iran
had been predicting in its Goebbels-type claims its “imminent approval for
membership” in the UN Human Rights Council as an “international endorsement of
Iran’s dedication for Human Rights”.
Relying on countries that are themselves violators of human rights or some trade counterparts, the Iranian regime had managed to nominate itself as a candidate for membership in the 47-member body. It offered huge bribes and lucrative contracts to various countries to obtain the necessary votes.
Human rights organizations, representatives of the Iranian Resistance in Geneva and New York and other world capitals, associations of supporters of the Resistance around the world, and many UN member states took extensive action to prevent the Iranian regime from being selected as a member of the Council.
The withdrawal came in the final weeks before the Council elections after the regime ascertained that it will not get a majority in the UN General Assembly vote. This action was taken to prevent a greater defeat for the regime. The mullahs’ regime was one of five countries nominated in the Asian group to become a member in the Council. The General Assembly will choose four of the countries as members for the human rights body. The other four countries are Malaysia, Maldives, Qatar and Thailand.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, described the regime’s inevitable retreat from membership in the Council as an indication of its overwhelming isolation and lack of legitimacy in the international arena. “The time has come for the expulsion of the mullahs’ regime from other international bodies especially those related to human rights and humanitarian issues”, Mrs. Rajavi said, adding, “This regime not only does not represent the Iranian people, but it is a disgrace to humanity and should be isolated from the international community over its atrocities against the people, including executions and the massacre of 120,000 political prisoners, and over its warmongering and export of terrorism in the region and the world and the killing of innocent people throughout the world.”
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
April 24,
2010
Source: NCRI
on Monday, April 20, the clerical regime’s henchmen put on trial on fresh charges a political prisoner already sentenced to death. Ali Saremi is the father of one of the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The 62 year old was inhumanly taken to the regime’s court while in chains just two short days after undergoing a serious surgery. The show trial came to an end without any rulings and was ordered to resume at a later date.
The presiding judge, Mohammad Moqisseh, is a former member of the “Death Committee” responsible for the massacre of political prisoners in 1988. The subject of the proceedings was a brutal attack in September 2008 which was carried out against political prisoners by a number of dangerous inmates organized by Evin prison officials. During the show trial, Mr. Saremi protested against the new plot of prison officials and the creation of a phony case against him, as well as his exile to Karaj’s Gohardasht prison. He also stressed on his rights as a Muslim and a PMOI supporter in the face of Moqisseh’s insults and accusations.
Since the inception of the mullahs’ regime in 1979, Mr. Saremi has been imprisoned four times on charges of supporting the PMOI. He has spent 23 years of his life in prison during the Shah’s rule and the clerical regime. He was last arrested in August 2007 for participating at a memorial ceremony for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran. In December 2009, after spending two and a half years in legal limbo, he was abruptly sentenced to two years in prison and execution without facing a fair trial. The clerical regime is deeply vengeful toward the relentless struggle of Saremi, whose son currently resides in Camp Ashraf. The regime is thus trying to fabricate a new legal case to exert more pressure on the political prisoner.
NCRI
Tehran residents, in solidarity with workers on the brink of the International Workers’ Day, staged rooftop protests in Tehran.
On Monday evening, April 26, the chants of “Allahu Akbar” and “down with Khamenei” filled the air in Imam Hossein, Tehran Noe, Sarcheshmeh, Yousef Abad and Javadieh districts.
The night before, people were chanting “Workers are awake, they hate Khamenei” in Navab Street; “Allahu Akbar” in Tehran Noe, Narmak and Tehran Pars districts; and “down with Khamenei” in Javadieh district.
Protesters also set fire to pictures of Khamenei, the clerical regime’s Supreme Leader, in Abshenasan and Shaqayeq streets.
Widespread Anti-regime graffiti have also appeared in various streets in Tehran as part of people’s protests.
Young people and workers in Aqdasiyeh, Shahr-e Ray and Shahrak-e Abbaspour districts; Avini Highway; and Zakariya and Salman Farsi streets have expressed their hatred toward the clerical regime by writing “Workers’ Day, death to Khamenei,” “miserable Khamenei, Workers’ Day is on the way” and “workers are awake, they hate Khamenei” on the walls and public places.
Student News
At least eight students of the Chamran University in Ahwaz were denied the right to education on orders of the head of this university and were banned from entering university grounds.
They are Javad Alikhani, suspended for two semesters, Arman Momini, Mohammad Moussavi Rahimi, Mohsen Jafarpour, Faranak Osulian, Fatemeh Taqvazadeh and Ahmad Koshtkar who were each sentenced to one semester of suspension.
These are students whose sentences were finalized but there are many other students who are waiting for their final sentences
At least eight students of the Chamran University in Ahwaz were denied the right to education on orders of the head of this university and were banned from entering university grounds.
They are Javad Alikhani, suspended for two semesters, Arman Momini, Mohammad Moussavi Rahimi, Mohsen Jafarpour, Faranak Osulian, Fatemeh Taqvazadeh and Ahmad Koshtkar who were each sentenced to one semester of suspension.
These are students whose sentences were finalized but there are many other students who are waiting for their final sentences
Committee of Human Rights Reporters
Zeinab Kazemzadeh (ISNA reporter) who was arrested in her home at 3 am on February 7, 2010 by 9 agents of the Intelligence Agency went to the ISNA offices after her release from prison, but Saied Pourali, the former head of this news agency, called her a 'traitor' and said that they cannot accept her as a employee in ISNA.
This is while this journalist had received a letter from prison officials to the head of ISNA upon her release saying that she was innocent of the charges made against her and she was told that she could continue her work as a professional journalist.
Zeinab Kazemzadeh (ISNA reporter) who was arrested in her home at 3 am on February 7, 2010 by 9 agents of the Intelligence Agency went to the ISNA offices after her release from prison, but Saied Pourali, the former head of this news agency, called her a 'traitor' and said that they cannot accept her as a employee in ISNA.
This is while this journalist had received a letter from prison officials to the head of ISNA upon her release saying that she was innocent of the charges made against her and she was told that she could continue her work as a professional journalist.
Student News
Agents of the Arak Prosecutor's Office entered the home of Abed Tavancheh, a former student activist, and threw out the residents intending to seal the house shut.
Abed Tavancheh is a former member of the Islamic Association of Amir Kabir University who was sentenced to one year of prison by the Revolutionary Court last December. But the Revolutionary Court refrained from giving him his written sentence and as a result, Tavancheh and his lawyer Naser Zarafshan did not sign the sentence which was orally announced to them. The judge presiding over the case then illegally sent this sentence to the Prison Sentence Implementation Department without first referring it to a court of review.
After this illegal measure, Dr. Zarafshan immediately filed a complaint against the judge but with pressure from the Arak Intelligence Agency, the Prosecutor's office considered the sentence confirmed and the agents of the Prison Sentence Implementation Department raided this student's home in an attempt to arrest him (even on the countdown to the New Iranian Year).
Finally, today, these agents came to his home, (the ownership document of his home had been pledged for Tavancheh's temporary release from prison) and gathered the home belongings to seal it shut. These agents temporarily ceased their action after they were met with resistance from the residents of the house but they threatened that they will seal the house as soon as possible because they had an evacuation warrant.
The Tavancheh family is currently in a poor mental state and security forces constantly call their home demanding that they hand over their son to security forces
Back ground ingterview of Zarafshan with Speigel
SPIEGEL: Your client Abed Tavancheh was supposed to have been arrested last Tuesday. What do the authorities in Iran accuse him of having done?
Naser Zarafshan: Abed Tavancheh fights for freedom of expression and democracy. He had already been arrested four times and sentenced to eight months' imprisonment. A part of the current allegations against him relate to these activities. The primary charge, though, has to do with an interview he did with SPIEGEL in September about the tense atmosphere in the universities. The state prosecutor says that by doing this he spread "propaganda against the holy order of the Islamic Republic" and that he "incited unrest."
SPIEGEL: How did the authorities become aware of the interview?
Zarafshan: Immediately after the publication of the interview, a "special report" was published in a large, extremely conservative daily newspaper. The report labeled SPIEGEL a "Zionist magazine" and Tavancheh was harshly attacked as a "US-oriented left winger." Subsequently the state prosecutor summoned him.
SPIEGEL: Did the case go to trial?
Zarafshan: The interrogation was followed by three hearings before a revolutionary tribunal. I was even not summoned to two of the hearings. One cannot hope for justice there. We cited the right to freedom of expression which is guaranteed in our constitution. Nevertheless the court considered the interview to be a "violation of national security." For this, Tavancheh got a new prison sentence of one year.
SPIEGEL: Did your client accept the verdict?
Zarafshan: No, we don't recognize this verdict, which wasn't even given to us in writing. Because my client assumed he would be arrested, he quickly left the courtroom.
SPIEGEL: Now the authorities are looking for Tavancheh. Does he now regret having given the interview?
Zarafshan: My client knew what he was getting into. He stands by every sentence.
Human Rights Activists in Iran
On April 14, a number of plainclothes agents who introduced themselves as agents of the Ministry of Intelligence attacked a home used as a church by Christians in Karaj. These agents threatened those in the church and beat and insulted father Behnam Irani. They subsequently arrested him and took him to an unknown location.
These forces were armed with guns in the attack. They interrogated all those in the church asking them to fill out forms. They were forced to answer questions such as who converted them to Christianity, how they were converted, why they had converted and who baptized them.
They were also threatened and told that they had participated in a ceremony in an illegal church. These agents also stressed that they would be called in the next few days and had to come to the Intelligence Agency to answer further questions.
These 10 young Christians in the church were only participating in a religious ceremony.
On April 14, a number of plainclothes agents who introduced themselves as agents of the Ministry of Intelligence attacked a home used as a church by Christians in Karaj. These agents threatened those in the church and beat and insulted father Behnam Irani. They subsequently arrested him and took him to an unknown location.
These forces were armed with guns in the attack. They interrogated all those in the church asking them to fill out forms. They were forced to answer questions such as who converted them to Christianity, how they were converted, why they had converted and who baptized them.
They were also threatened and told that they had participated in a ceremony in an illegal church. These agents also stressed that they would be called in the next few days and had to come to the Intelligence Agency to answer further questions.
These 10 young Christians in the church were only participating in a religious ceremony.
Human Rights Activists in Iran
Shole Ta'ef, a Baha'i resident of Semnan, who was arrested last November and was later released, was sentenced to one year of prison in Tehran and two years of life outside of Semnan by the Revolutionary Court.
According to reports she has been charged with acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the government in favor of Baha'ism
Shole Ta'ef, a Baha'i resident of Semnan, who was arrested last November and was later released, was sentenced to one year of prison in Tehran and two years of life outside of Semnan by the Revolutionary Court.
According to reports she has been charged with acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the government in favor of Baha'ism
Committee of Human Rights Journalists
"Unsuitable marriages where the age difference is very high, the ruling patriarchal culture, not having the right to choose a husband, and poverty and unemployment among men are all issues that have increased suicide among women and in this situation suicide is seen as the only way to freedom from human anguish", sociologist Nematollah Fazeli said on female suicides.
He said that polygamy is another reason behind the suicide of women stressing that the female society, especially in rural areas, are very susceptible to suicide
"Unsuitable marriages where the age difference is very high, the ruling patriarchal culture, not having the right to choose a husband, and poverty and unemployment among men are all issues that have increased suicide among women and in this situation suicide is seen as the only way to freedom from human anguish", sociologist Nematollah Fazeli said on female suicides.
He said that polygamy is another reason behind the suicide of women stressing that the female society, especially in rural areas, are very susceptible to suicide
Rooz
The court of review sentenced Ozra Saadat Qazi Mirsaeid, to three years of prison. This political prisoner was arrested on June 20, 2009 during the peaceful protests in Iran in Enqelab Square and was sentenced to three years of prison by the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court.
According to her family, she is currently in the women's cellblock in Evin Prison. She was under severe physical and psychological torture for a few months in cellblock 2A.
Her family says that she has not had any political activities and was sentenced to 'moharebeh (enmity with God) and being corrupt on earth by way of effective activities in line with the goals of the terrorist Monafeqin (PMOI) organization and cooperation with this organization'.
Ozra strongly denied these allegations and has said that she confessed to these lies under severe torture
The court of review sentenced Ozra Saadat Qazi Mirsaeid, to three years of prison. This political prisoner was arrested on June 20, 2009 during the peaceful protests in Iran in Enqelab Square and was sentenced to three years of prison by the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court.
According to her family, she is currently in the women's cellblock in Evin Prison. She was under severe physical and psychological torture for a few months in cellblock 2A.
Her family says that she has not had any political activities and was sentenced to 'moharebeh (enmity with God) and being corrupt on earth by way of effective activities in line with the goals of the terrorist Monafeqin (PMOI) organization and cooperation with this organization'.
Ozra strongly denied these allegations and has said that she confessed to these lies under severe torture
Committee of Human Rights Reporters
The 54th branch of the Tehran Court of Review upheld the 5 year prison sentence of Monireh Rabiei. Rabiei was sentenced to five years of prison to be served in exile in the Berazjan Prison on charges of moharebeh (enmity with God).
Her aunt and uncle live in Camp Ashraf in Iraq (home to the PMOI). According to those close to her Monireh has only had family relations with her relatives in Ashraf and even cut off her family relations a long time before she was summoned.
"The investigator of the case said that she was subject to a remission, but Judge Pir Abassi sentenced her to five years of prison without taking heed of the opinion of the investigator or her defense and lawyer's statements", the source close to the family said
Peik-e-Iran Website
The Ministry of Intelligence said that it had identified and arrested people in a number of social and culturally corrupt networks. (According to officials) these networks paid women to go to Qom and appear with improper veiling or no veiling in public and they (the women) would then be brought back to Tehran
The Ministry of Intelligence said that it had identified and arrested people in a number of social and culturally corrupt networks. (According to officials) these networks paid women to go to Qom and appear with improper veiling or no veiling in public and they (the women) would then be brought back to Tehran
Human Rights Activists in Iran
The head of the Iranian Judiciary said that those who have improper veiling with be dealt with.
Sadeq Larijani said on Sunday, "The fact that some people do not oblige the values (of the society) and break social norms and appear with improper veiling in the society is a kind of disrespect to the rights of others and the Judicial System and security forces will definitely deal with those who undermine Islamic values based on Islamic laws".
Before this, the head of Friday Prayers in Mashhad said that those who come on the streets with improper veiling are like 'creatures'.
The head of the Iranian Judiciary said that those who have improper veiling with be dealt with.
Sadeq Larijani said on Sunday, "The fact that some people do not oblige the values (of the society) and break social norms and appear with improper veiling in the society is a kind of disrespect to the rights of others and the Judicial System and security forces will definitely deal with those who undermine Islamic values based on Islamic laws".
Before this, the head of Friday Prayers in Mashhad said that those who come on the streets with improper veiling are like 'creatures'.
Committee of Human Rights Reporters
The detainment of political prisoners with other prisoners charged with murder, financial corruption, drug trafficking and other crimes has led to many problems for them.
According to the law, prison officials are obligated to at least provide a separate room for political prisoners but unfortunately female political prisoners are harassed on a daily basis by their cellmates.
According to reports, (political prisoners) have told the head of the women's cellblock, Rezayi, to provide a separate room for them but she has announced that she has been ordered not to do such a thing.
The detainment of political prisoners with other prisoners charged with murder, financial corruption, drug trafficking and other crimes has led to many problems for them.
According to the law, prison officials are obligated to at least provide a separate room for political prisoners but unfortunately female political prisoners are harassed on a daily basis by their cellmates.
According to reports, (political prisoners) have told the head of the women's cellblock, Rezayi, to provide a separate room for them but she has announced that she has been ordered not to do such a thing.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
According to reports, the home of political prisoner Arjang Davoudi was sealed off and then sold on the order of Hassan Zare Dahnavi aka Hassan Hadad who has been accused in the case of the Kahrizak death camp (Kahrizak Detention Center where a number of post-election protesters where killed under torture).
The home and the Parto Hekmat education complex is the personal property of political prisoner Arjang Davoudi which was sealed off by the orders of Hassan Zare in 2007 and then sold. When the home was sealed off, the Davoudi family was not permitted to even take out their personal belongings and they were only allowed to leave their home with the clothes they were wearing. In this time, Arjang Davoudi's wife lived in very hard conditions and did not have anywhere to go. This family constantly pursued the freedom of Arjang Davoudi and getting back their home but officials did not answer their appeals.
After a while it became clear that Hassan Zare Dahnavi had established a group which registered the confiscated property of people under false names to sell. All the people in this group are members of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, Ministry of Intelligence, and the Protection Department of the Judiciary.
According to reports, the home of political prisoner Arjang Davoudi was sealed off and then sold on the order of Hassan Zare Dahnavi aka Hassan Hadad who has been accused in the case of the Kahrizak death camp (Kahrizak Detention Center where a number of post-election protesters where killed under torture).
The home and the Parto Hekmat education complex is the personal property of political prisoner Arjang Davoudi which was sealed off by the orders of Hassan Zare in 2007 and then sold. When the home was sealed off, the Davoudi family was not permitted to even take out their personal belongings and they were only allowed to leave their home with the clothes they were wearing. In this time, Arjang Davoudi's wife lived in very hard conditions and did not have anywhere to go. This family constantly pursued the freedom of Arjang Davoudi and getting back their home but officials did not answer their appeals.
After a while it became clear that Hassan Zare Dahnavi had established a group which registered the confiscated property of people under false names to sell. All the people in this group are members of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, Ministry of Intelligence, and the Protection Department of the Judiciary.
Kalameh Website
With the barring of Hadi Ismailzadeh, a member of the Center for Human Rights Defenders, the number of lawyers and their colleagues in this human rights institution who have been banned from leaving the country has reached seven. Some of the members of this center who have been banned from leaving the country are Abdolfateh Soltani, Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah, Nasrin Sutodeh, Mohammad Seifzadeh, and Narges Mohammadi.
With the barring of Hadi Ismailzadeh, a member of the Center for Human Rights Defenders, the number of lawyers and their colleagues in this human rights institution who have been banned from leaving the country has reached seven. Some of the members of this center who have been banned from leaving the country are Abdolfateh Soltani, Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah, Nasrin Sutodeh, Mohammad Seifzadeh, and Narges Mohammadi.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
There is no news on the whereabouts and condition of Rasoul Hardani, a young man who was severely beaten and arrested on the Fire Festival (March 16, 2010).
Rasoul Hardani, 27, was arrested on the Fire Festival along with two of his friends and after being taken to the Shapure Detention Center, was tortured with electric clubs and electric shocks.
According to one his cellmates who was recently released, Rasoul, who had severe injuries because security forces had pulled his body on the asphalt, was taken to an unknown location after 24 hours.
His family has no information on his whereabouts since his arrest. Despite their constant appeals to the Revolutionary Court, the Tehran Prosecutor's Office, Evin Prison and other centers, officials refrain from giving them a clear answer. This has caused serious concerns for the Hardani family.
Rasoul Hardani and his family had tried in the year 2000 to divert a plane in order to seek asylum outside of Iran but they were unsuccessful. Rasoul and his family were subsequently arrested. A number of his family members were sentenced to death which was then lowered to long prison terms. According to his family, Rasoul Hardani was given a medical leave last year after 10 years of prison and received two surgeries at the Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz
There is no news on the whereabouts and condition of Rasoul Hardani, a young man who was severely beaten and arrested on the Fire Festival (March 16, 2010).
Rasoul Hardani, 27, was arrested on the Fire Festival along with two of his friends and after being taken to the Shapure Detention Center, was tortured with electric clubs and electric shocks.
According to one his cellmates who was recently released, Rasoul, who had severe injuries because security forces had pulled his body on the asphalt, was taken to an unknown location after 24 hours.
His family has no information on his whereabouts since his arrest. Despite their constant appeals to the Revolutionary Court, the Tehran Prosecutor's Office, Evin Prison and other centers, officials refrain from giving them a clear answer. This has caused serious concerns for the Hardani family.
Rasoul Hardani and his family had tried in the year 2000 to divert a plane in order to seek asylum outside of Iran but they were unsuccessful. Rasoul and his family were subsequently arrested. A number of his family members were sentenced to death which was then lowered to long prison terms. According to his family, Rasoul Hardani was given a medical leave last year after 10 years of prison and received two surgeries at the Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz
AFP
Iran's political watchdog has banned all activities by two leading reformist parties which backed OPPOSITION leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in June's presidential poll, a state-owned daily said Monday.
The watchdog also recommended to the judiciary that both the Islamic Iran Participation Front and the Islamic Revolution Mujahedeen Organisation be dissolved, the government newspaper Iran said in its online edition.
'Their licenses have been suspended and it has been decided that their cases be referred to the judiciary,' the newspaper quoted the watchdog's secretary, Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini, as saying.
'You are prohibited from conducting any activities until the cases are dealt by the judiciary,' the newspaper quoted a letter from Meshkini to the two parties as saying.
He said the parties had been accused of 'violating the sovereignty of the country, spreading accusations and lies, undermining national unity and planning the break-up of the country.'
The two political groups had strongly supported Mousavi, the main challenger to President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad in the June 2009 presidential election
Iran's political watchdog has banned all activities by two leading reformist parties which backed OPPOSITION leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in June's presidential poll, a state-owned daily said Monday.
The watchdog also recommended to the judiciary that both the Islamic Iran Participation Front and the Islamic Revolution Mujahedeen Organisation be dissolved, the government newspaper Iran said in its online edition.
'Their licenses have been suspended and it has been decided that their cases be referred to the judiciary,' the newspaper quoted the watchdog's secretary, Mahmoud Abbaszadeh Meshkini, as saying.
'You are prohibited from conducting any activities until the cases are dealt by the judiciary,' the newspaper quoted a letter from Meshkini to the two parties as saying.
He said the parties had been accused of 'violating the sovereignty of the country, spreading accusations and lies, undermining national unity and planning the break-up of the country.'
The two political groups had strongly supported Mousavi, the main challenger to President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad in the June 2009 presidential election
Shiite Online state-run daily
According to reports from the province of Khorasan, 50 girls and boys were arrested in a night party in the Torqabeh and Shandiz region in Khorasan. The Commander of the State Security Forces in Torqabeh and Shandiz said, "These people were dancing in a garden near the town and many of them were not in a normal state (drunk)".
"A large amount of handmade alcoholic beverages were discovered in an ensuing search of the area and 25 automobiles that belonged to these people were confiscated", he added.
According to reports from the province of Khorasan, 50 girls and boys were arrested in a night party in the Torqabeh and Shandiz region in Khorasan. The Commander of the State Security Forces in Torqabeh and Shandiz said, "These people were dancing in a garden near the town and many of them were not in a normal state (drunk)".
"A large amount of handmade alcoholic beverages were discovered in an ensuing search of the area and 25 automobiles that belonged to these people were confiscated", he added.
Iran Press News
According to reports, Mohammad Abdollahi, the brother of Mohammad-Amin Abdollahi a political prisoner sentenced to death was arrested a while ago in the city of Bukan and taken to an unknown location.
He was arrested for pursuing his older brother's case. His brother, Mohammad-Amin Abdollahi was sentenced to moharebeh (enmity with God) along with Qader Mohammadzadeh in a court in Orumieh on charges of acting against national security. They were both sentenced to death
According to reports, Mohammad Abdollahi, the brother of Mohammad-Amin Abdollahi a political prisoner sentenced to death was arrested a while ago in the city of Bukan and taken to an unknown location.
He was arrested for pursuing his older brother's case. His brother, Mohammad-Amin Abdollahi was sentenced to moharebeh (enmity with God) along with Qader Mohammadzadeh in a court in Orumieh on charges of acting against national security. They were both sentenced to death
Iran News Agency
According to reports from Bou-Ali Sina University in Hamedan, when a film was being shown in the university about those killed in the Iran-Iraq war, a student stood up and cried out, 'our martyr is Neda'. Bassij forces and agents of the Protection Department arrested the student and took him away
According to reports from Bou-Ali Sina University in Hamedan, when a film was being shown in the university about those killed in the Iran-Iraq war, a student stood up and cried out, 'our martyr is Neda'. Bassij forces and agents of the Protection Department arrested the student and took him away
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
According to reports, student activist Nader Ahsani was arrested in the morning to serve his one year prison term. This student activist was arrested before this on student's day in 2007. He was transferred to the quarantine section in Evin Prison.
He was answering a summons to the Revolutionary Court when he was arrested. The 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court headed by Moqiseyi aka Naserian who was a member of the Death Commission responsible for the massacre of political prisoners in the 80's, sentenced this activist to one year of prison.
I am political prisoner Behrouz Javid Tehrani and I have spend more than 10 years in Gohardasht Prison, one of the most notorious prisoners under this regime.
I am jailed though I have committed no crime. In this time, aside from all the human rights violations that occurred when I was arrested, interrogated and unjustly tried, I have witnessed thousands of other human rights violations only in this prison.
I am witness to 10 years of crime, torture, injustice, execution, bureaucratic corruption, the death of ill prisoners from lack of treatment, suicide in prison and other incidents.
In the solitary cells in hall 2 in cellblock 1, prisoners are beaten with batons, logs and cables and in some cases with electric clubs by prison guards for revenge and not to carry out justice. In some cases the prisoners are beaten so severely that they urinate in themselves.
Last year, a young man died under these beatings. In these solitary cells, prisoners are shackled and left in that state for a few days in their cells and only when they are willing to use profane language and insults against themselves and their family are they unshackled.
In solitary cells in cellblock 2, being allowed to take a shower is considered a privilege and sometimes prisoners are not allowed to bathe for months. If the prisoner is not submissive, he will even be barred from using the restroom. There is no such thing as fresh air time in this block. Radio, TV, newspaper, telephone, visits, fresh air time and books are banned in these solitary cells.
Prisoner guards address prisoners with insulting remarks and use profane language. Being checked by a doctor is also considered a privilege and not everyone gets this chance.
I know of a prisoner infected with HIV in the solitary cells in cellblock 2 by the name of Daryoush Arjmand who has been detained in solitary for 2 and a half years. He has aids and it has been some time that the infirmary has cut off his antibiotics so he would die sooner.
He is not even given the ointment and rubbing alcohol that aids patients need for their wounds. Prison guards are even afraid to open his cell door to let him out to use the toilet and shower and no one even changes the light bulb in his cell which burned out long ago.
Our cellblock is under the management of Hassan Akharian. He is a drug addict and treats prisoners with violence most of the time. Any sort of protest to his erratic behavior is met with solitary in cellblock 2. He has recently taken out the security cameras in one of the rooms in prison turning it into a torture chamber.
Gohardasht Prison in Karaj is headed by Ali Haj Kazem. He is a corrupt person and receives bribes. He lets those who work under him carry out any crime and in 2005 there were more than 10 instances that I know of where he sold the body parts of prisoners without their consent. The prison infirmary cooperated completely with this issue. These prisoners would be mostly chosen from those whose death sentences were imminent. These prisoners whose body parts were sold without their consent include Afshin Karimi, Sharvin Goudarzi and Ahmad Hanani.
In this prison, being medically treated on time is also considered a privilege. They say that prisoners do not have the right to become sick more than once a month and go to the doctor. My close friend Amir Hossein Heshmat Saran passed away last year because he did not receive treatment on time.
Another problem in this prison is the lack of space in the cells. It is so overcrowded that all prisoners are extremely angry and annoyed and there are also limitations in using the bathrooms in the non-solitary sections of prison. A very few number of halls have beds (only 4 halls out of 24 halls have beds).
In the halls without beds, prisoners have trouble sleeping on the ground because of lack of space. This in itself is another form of torture in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. In hall 1 and 3, cellblock 1, prisoners with psychological problems are kept with healthy prisoners and this issue both leads to the mistreatment of these mentally ill prisoners and the aggravation of healthy prisoners.
Honorable Ban Ki Mon, I do not want to write a long letter but just wanted to request from you on behalf of myself and all political and ordinary prisoners who do not have access to you to come and visit Gohardasht Prison (Rajayi Shahr Prison) in your visit to our beautiful country.
Without doubt it would be an honor for me, if you would allow it, to come along with you in your visit to prison as a guide to show you all the dark angles and torture chambers and all the human rights violations carried out in this prison. Obviously, your visit to Iran and especially this prison would better the atmosphere for the 3000 or so prisoners in Gohardasht Prison.
Political prisoner and human rights activist
Behrouz Javid Tehrani
Gohardasht Prison (Rajayi Shahr Prison) hall 1, cellblock 1
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