At a Glance

Violation of Human Rights in Iran
Tuesday 05 March 2013

Refugee’s Rights

US Congress resolution calls for protection of Camp Liberty residents

Published on Monday, 04 March 2013
http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf-liberty/13003-us-congress-resolution-calls-for-protection-of-camp-liberty-residents.html
NCRI - US lawmakers from both parties have drafted a resolution condemning the deadly attack on Camp Liberty and demanded that President Barack Obama act now to move the residents back to Camp Ashraf.

The resolution - presented to the US House Foreign Affairs Committee - also demanded those responsible for the February 9 missile attack which left seven dead and more than 100 injured be brought to justice.

And it urged the government of Iraq to allow international observers into Camp Liberty - referred to as Camp Hurriya - to assess the conditions being endured by its 3,100 residents.

The resolution stated: "On February 9, 2013, dozens of rockets were fired on Camp Hurriya in Iraq where approximately 3,100 members of the Iranian opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), have been residing since being relocated from Camp Ashraf in February 2012.

"Seven unarmed residents were killed and approximately 100 more wounded, some suffering severe and debilitating injuries. The New York Times reported that Hezbollah Brigades, an Iranian-affiliated group, claimed responsibility for the attack and `warned that others would follow'.

"In an interview with the Associated Press on February 26, 2013, one of the leaders of the Hezbollah Brigades, Wathiq al-Batat, claimed his group receives weapons and other support from Iran and promised more attacks to come, saying 'We will strike them again until they leave'."

The resolution noted that the UN, the UNHCR and the former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had all condemned the attack' and also demanded that the terrorists be caught and put on trial.

It said that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Iraq and the UN signed on December 25, 2011, outlining 'steps necessary to achieve a peaceful and viable solution for the residents of Ashraf, including their temporary relocation to Camp Hurriya' had failed.

Only six residents have been resettled through the UN process while asylum-seekers lived in exposed trailers without the ability to protect themselves from future attacks, the bill said.

It urged the US government to firstly, publicly condemn the attack against the residents of Camp Hurriya.

Secondly, to call on President Obama to work with the Government of Iraq to ensure that the Memorandum of Understanding is fully implemented, and that humanitarian protections for the residents of Camp Hurriya are upheld.

Thirdly, to urge the Government of Iraq to allow the residents' families and lawyers as well as international observers, including parliamentarians, Members of Congress, and the media to visit Camp Hurriya and assess the situation on the ground.

And fourthly, to urges the President to work with the Government of Iraq and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to return the residents of Camp Hurriya to Camp Ashraf where they will have more protection from any future terrorist attacks.

US Representatives who drafted the resolution were: Mr Poe of Texas, Mr Clay, Mr Coffman, Mr Cohen, Mr Cotton, Mr Diaz-Balart, Mr Faleomavaega, Mr Higgins, Mr McClintock, Mr Rohrabacher, Ms Ros-Lehtinen, Mr David Scott of Georgia, Mr Sherman and Mr Westmorland.

Martin Kobler should be charged with crimes against humanity – UN rights advisor

Published on Tuesday, 05 March 2013 09:39
http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/ashraf-liberty/13012-martin-kobler-should-be-charged-with-crimes-against-humanity-un-rights-advisor.html
NCRI - The United Nation's representative in Iraq Martin Kobler should be charged with crimes against humanity over the deadly attack on Camp Liberty, the UN's deputy on its Human Rights Advisory Committee Jean Ziegler has declared.
And Mr Kobler and his wife Brita Wagner - Germany's ambassador in Baghdad - are both guilty of the 'murderous politics of politeness' for their complicity with 'Iranian lackey' Nouri Al-Maliki, he told an international conference in Geneva.
Mr Zeigler also said he was 'sickened' by the 'indifference, indolence, and the hypocrisy' of the UN that has failed to prevent repeated human rights around the world, culminating in the Camp Libery missile attack on February 9 that left seven dead and more than 100 injured.
He told delegates in his speech on February 27: "For nearly 15 years now I have been part of the special procedures of the Council of Human Rights. We lived through the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, 95 the Srebrenica massacre, 2009 massacre of 70,000 people, civilians, men, women and children in Sri Lanka.
"It was under the watch of three different Secretaries Boutros Ghali, Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. Each of the Secretaries afterwards reported on what happened, and each testified to his shame and apologized.
"In two days on Friday Ban Ki-moon will testify before the board in Geneva. The Board will discuss reports of massacres in Sri Lanka in 2009. And I guarantee you that Mr. Ban Ki-moon will apologize, will be moved, will say 'I did not know, excuse me'.
"The 3100 members of the Iranian resistance residents in Liberty, and Ashraf should not suffer the same fate and be massacred, and a few years later be the subject of international excuses and receive homage from a Secretary General."
He also launched a scathing attack on Mr Kobler and his wife Brita Wagner, adding: "It is obvious that when you are an ambassador in a country, you must have the best possible relations with the local government.
So, of course, Ms Wagner did everything not to anger Maliki, to be most accommodating as possible. And her husband, not to hinder the career of his wife, was complicit in murderous politics of politeness with a Prime Minister who is no other than an outright mullahs lackey of Tehran."
"Talking as a lawyer, it is worth examining if Mr Kobler could be charged for complicity in crimes against humanity."
Mr Zeigler cited Kobler's 'intentional lies' against the President of NCRI in the transfer of residents from Ashraf to Loberty, then refusal of protection in Liberty, blindness to the conditions of life in this prison camp, and finally refused to meet with the survivors of the attack.
He added: "All this can form a heavy case against him. Or facing German courts that have a very strong, criminal court for crimes against humanity, or open a procedure for complicity in genocide against Martin Kobler before an international court at The Hague."
The 3,100 Iranians in Liberty all qualified as refugees under the UN's charters and should by recognised as such, Mr Zeigler said.
He added: "There must be a public statement, clear, indisputable by the High Commissioner for Refugees of the United Nations affirming the principle of protection for the Iranian resistance on Iraqi soil.

The High Commissioner in the United Nations must contact each of the Member States of the Board of Directors of the High Commissioner and confront his responsibility. Because if there's one more death at Camp Liberty or Ashraf, these states will be directly responsible, as well as the High Commissioner."
But by remaining silence on Camp Liberty and Ashraf, by not putting in place the mechanisms of protection for asylum seekers, the UN loses more of their credibility and their honor.
"We are here to prevent another massacre as announced by Maliki. The mullahs have publicly declared, and the documents show that they will start shooting missiles again very soon at the paper thin trailers and they will not stop until everyone is dead. We have to prevent this.
"On a personal note, I want to express my deep gratitude and admiration for the strong Iranian resistance on Iraqi soil. They are the custodians of the dignity of all humanity. They must live for tomorrow and lead the victorious revolution in Iran."
Execution

A Kurd who sentenced to death was transferred to unknown location

Sunday, 03 March 2013
http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=859:1&catid=14:ethnic-minorities&Itemid=9
HRANA News Agency – Hooshang Rezaie, the political prisoner who sentenced to death, was transferred from Rajaie Shahr prison to unknown location Saturday March 2nd of 2013.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), this political prisoner was sentenced to death on charge of cooperation with Komala party.

Recently he was transferred to Rajaie Shahr prison after being in solitary cell for six months in ward 209 of Evin prison.

Hooshang's parents could not follow up their son's situation in Karaj because of living in a far city and aging.

It has to be mentioned that during the whole trial sessions he was deprived to access to lawyer and his trial sessions held in an unfair space which the judge issued the verdict just according to the Etela'at reports.

Iran: At Least 16 Prisoners Hanged Last Week

Monday, 04 March 2013
http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=862:1&catid=15:execution&Itemid=10
HRANA News Agency – 16 prisoners hanged within last week across Iran.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 12 prisoners were hanged in different cities of Iran during last week:

At least two prisoners convicted of drug trafficking were hanged in Yazd on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

One prisoner convicted of drug trafficking was hanged in Behbahan on Monday, February 25, 2013.

Three prisoners convicted of drug trafficking were hanged in Qazvin on Sunday, February 24, 2013.

Two prisoners convicted of drug trafficking were hanged in Sari and Kashan on Wednesday, February 27, 2013.

One prisoner convicted of drug trafficking was hanged in Semnan on Thursday, February 28, 2013.

Four prisoners convicted of rape were hanged in Gachsaran on Thursday, February 28, 2013.

A prisoner was hanged in Sari convicted of drug trafficking on Saturday, March 2, 2013.

Two prisoners convicted of murdering were hanged in Mianeh on Sunday, March 3, 2013.


Arbitrary Arrests

Another journalist arrested in Iran

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 18:07
http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/another-journalist-arrested-iran-0

MohammadJavad Rouh
MohammadJavad Rouh, a staff editor at the Mehrnameh monthly magazine, was arrested by Iranian authorities at his home on Sunday March 4.
In the past month, the Intelligence Ministry has ordered the arrest of close to 20 journalists. While some have been released on bail, others remain in custody.
The Intelligence Ministry has announced that it has uncovered a network of anti-regime reporters and journalists whose “central nucleus” is abroad, working in collaboration with Persian-language media based outside Iran.
MohammadJavad Rouh is a former member of the Association for the Defence of Prisoner Rights and the Islamic Iran Participation Front. He has worked with the Iranian Labour News Agency as well as the reformist dailies Norooz and Yas-e No.
The Intelligence Ministry had announced that in the course of its investigations it may arrest more journalists.
Human rights groups have condemned the wave of journalist arrests in Iran. Even Ali Motahari, a conservative MP, has slammed the process, claiming that the sense of insecurity it causes among members of the press is not in the country’s best interests, especially ahead of the fast-approaching presidential elections.
  


Prisoners of Conscience

18 political prisoners' hunger strike turned the day 11th

Sunday, 03 March 2013
http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=858:1&catid=12:prisoners&Itemid=12
HRANA News Agency – Eighteen political prisoner who were arrested on security charges started hunger strike since 11 days ago in Rajaie Shahr prison and Ghezel Hesar prison.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), six of the political prisoners sentenced to death and the rest of them sentenced to longterm imprisonment. Their hunger strike is in protest to transferring the six sentenced to death political prisoners to Ghezel Hesar prison and demanding re-investigating and fair trial for their dossiers.

Jamshid Dehghani, Jahangir Dehghani, Hadi Hossaini, Sedigh Mohammadi, Hamed Ahmadi and Kamal Mollaie in Ghezel Hesar prison and Ahmad Nasiri in Rajaie Shahr prison are the political prisoners who sentenced to death.

Also Sirous Hamidi sentenced to twenty years imprisonment, Jamal Soleimani to eleven years imprisonment, Jabbar to ten years imprisonment, Jamal Ghaderi to eight years imprisonment and Parviz Osmani to five years imprisonment are the names of the others who are spending their imprisonment in Rajaie Shahr prison of Karaj.

Besides of the above list there are some other detained in uncertain situation without trial and have not been sentenced yet. The followings are their names with their uncertain situation amount of time:

- Behrooz Shahnazari for forty five months
- Taleb Maleki for forty one months
- Pouria Mohammadi for thirty nine months
- Keikhosro Sharafipour for twenty six months
- Amel Diadashti for nineteen months
- Edris Ne'mati for twenty four months
- Mohammad Ahmad Sharifi for thirty four months

Sky-high bail keeps rights lawyer in jail

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 18:14
http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/sky-high-bail-keeps-rights-lawyer-jail
Abdolfattah Soltani
Jailed human rights lawyer Abdolfattah Soltani has been practically prevented from getting a furlough after the judiciary set his bail at 12 billion rials.
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran quoted Soltani’s daughter on Monday March 4 saying that Soltani’s bail should be commensurate with the number of years remaining in his sentence. She said the 11 years still outstanding in Soltani’s 13-year sentence would put his bail amount at around 1 billion rials, but the authorities are asking 12 times that amount.
Abdolfattah Soltani has announced that such an amount for bail violates the laws of the Islamic Republic.
Soltani is currently in section 350 of Evin Prison and is serving out a 13-year sentence for receiving the Nuremberg Human Rights Award, speaking with the foreign media about his clients and co-founding the Human Rights Defenders Centre in Iran.

A weblogger is in detention without trial for more than five months

Monday, 04 March 2013
http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=860:1&catid=18:freedom-of-expression&Itemid=2
HRANA News Agency – Kaveh Taheri the weblogger who was arrested on September 23rd of 2012, still is in uncertain situation after five months detention in Adel Abad prison in Shiraz.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Kaveh Taheri the weblogger from Shiraz was arrested by Etela'at agents on September 23rd of 2012 at his work place and first was transferred to detention center No.100 and after 52 days was transferred to Adel Abad prison of Shiraz.

His mother could been able to visit Kaveh on March 2nd of 2013 but still after five months he is in detention without trial.

On September 23rd of 2013 the agents arrested him, inspected his home and confiscated his personal belongings such as H.D.D, notes and his laptop.

"He is in a better mental condition in compare with before and he will release the details of interrogation sessions and how the interrogators dealt with him whenever his verdict will be issued", One of his relatives said to HRANA reporter.

Generally this weblogger accused to acting against national security and cyber propaganda against regime in his dossier.
Written by Majzooban.org on Monday, 04 March 2013
http://www.majzooban.org/en/sufi-news/3852-jailed-dervishes-on-49th-day-of-hunger-strike-kasra-nouri-was-transferred-to-prison-infirmary.html
Gonabadi Dervish, Kasra Nouri in 48th day of his hunger strike, lost consciousness for a few hour and was taken to the infirmary by prison guards.
According to Majzooban Noor, because of the weakness, dizziness and kidney pains Kasra Nouri lost consciousness for a few hour and was taken to the Adel Abad prison infirmary.
Up to now, the family's efforts to find out about his exact physical health condition have been fruitless.
It should be noted that, the families of two Dervishes, Saleh Moradi and Kasra Nouri, in a contact with Majzooban Noor website expressed grave concern for their deteriorating health. They are suffering with vision loss, kidney failure, bowel adhesion in addition to weakness, weight loss and dizziness and the appearance of these symptoms are warning signs of their dire health condition and indicate that their lives are in danger! his family said.
It is reminded that, on 15th of Bahman 1391(Feb 3, 2013) despite the poor physical conditions of two dervishes, Kasra Nouri and Saleh Moradi, who are on hunger strike , the security forces and prison authorities forced them to sign a letter stating that they have good physical health and they do not need any medical treatment and health care!
These two Gonabadi dervishes who are behind bars for more than 18 months in Shiraz's Adel Abad prison , lunched the hunger strike to protest illegal transfer of seven Gonabadi dervishes's lawyers and Majzooban Noor website managers to solitary confinement of Evin prison on 27th of Dey 1391 ( Jan 15, 2013).They required prison officials to transfer back seven Gonabadi dervishes's lawyers to the general ward of Evin Prison and called attention to their poor health status but unfortunately their request has not been answered yet and the detained lawyers of the Gonabadi dervishes are being held in solitary confinement of Ward 209 at about 50 days.
Saleh Moradi and Kasra Nouri are currently in prison, on charges of "Propaganda against the regime", "Acting against national security", "Deviant group (Majzooban Noor) membership" and "Interviews with foreign media, Radio Farda", but they have not yet received a definitive sentence till now. It seems that, after 18 months, their case is under investigation in Shiraz's Revolutionary Court.
We note in this regard that although they have been in detention more than the serving a period of time which would equate to their sentence, therefore now their detention is absolutely unlawful.

Freedom of Expression

Iran says journalist crackdown foils enemies’ plans

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 18:09
http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/iran-says-journalist-crackdown-foils-enemies%E2%80%99-plans
Iran’s Intelligence Minister says recently detained journalists are “puppets of world arrogance” and their arrests have created “havoc” in the network of the country’s enemies.
IRNA reports that Heydar Moslehi said on Monday March 4: “Some domestic media were linked to anti-Revolutionary networks, and identifying them has once again led to the defeat of our enemies’ programs.”
Since January 30, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry has arrested close to 20 journalists. Many of the detainees have already been released on bail.
Moslehi claimed: “A network consisting of 600 reporters, 150 of them inside the country and the others outside Iran, has received a heavy blow from the Intelligence Ministry forces.
The Intelligence Ministry claimed satellite television networks have been launched by the “anti-Revolutionaries” with the goal of “defusing Moslem anger against world arrogance.”
He stressed that the ministry’s activities have been crucial in this period leading up to the presidential election, adding that enemies of the regime may use election time as an opportunity to “engage in seditious activities.”
Iran’s 11th presidential election is slated for June 2013.
The last presidential election threw the country into political crisis; reformist candidates accused the system of vote fraud in favour of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and millions of protesters lined the streets to ask where their votes had gone.
Minorities’ Rights

Two Christians are in detention for more than seven weeks

Monday, 04 March 2013
http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=861:1&catid=13:religious-minorities&Itemid=13
HRANA News Agency – About seven weeks ago plainclothes security agents arrested Shahrzad Y and Sam S, two of converted Christians community in Tehran.

According to a report of Mohebbat News, security agents arrested the two converted Christians on January 9th of 2013 at 11 a.m.

Both of them arrested at the same time in different places.

Shahrzad is 25 years old and Sam is 27, they are from west of Tehran. The agents in an arbitrary action just invaded their homes and without showing any detention warrant inspected their homes, arrested Shahrzad and Sam and confiscated some of their personal belongings such as laptop, some books and notes related to Christianity, worships songs CDs and photo camera.

It seems they were transferred to Evin detention center right after being arrested and for a long time they have not been allowed to contact their families, then there were no news about their whereabout and their condition which the absolute ignorance increased worries among their families.

When their families followed up and haunt to security and judicial departments to find out about their offsprings some of the officials even threatened them and warned the families to be silent.

Sam and Shahrzad after weeks of being in detention and absolute ignorance, were able to short phone call to their families lately and informed them about the continuation of their detention.

Now after more than seven weeks of being in detention and being interrogated, these two converted Christians accused to establishing home-church and accumulation deliberate to commit a crime.

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