Sunday, June 20, 2010

NEWS))))))

Protest gathering outside martyr’s house in Tehran, marking uprising anniversary

A large crowd of people gathered outside the home of Sohrab Aarabi, commemorating the anniversary of his death in last year’s uprising, and chanted 'Death to dictator' and 'God is great'. Plainclothes agents present at the scene, beat up the participants. According to reports, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) raided the home of Sohrab Aarabi, vandalizing and damaging the facilities. MOIS agents also arrested a number of people present at Aarabi’s grave. On June 20th the anniversary of Neda Aghasoltan’s death by a bassiji militant, Neda’s mother has asked people to light a candle in her daughter’s memory. Agha sultan family were told by the officials not to hold a memorial for their daughter. Despite the regime’s threat, Neda’s family and more than 4000 people gathered at her grave and paid their respect. 5 women were arrested and taken to an undisclosed location. The street where Neda’s house is located was blocked by the authorities and plain clothes agants heavy presence was evident.

Iranian Regime announced closure of university dorm on anniversary of protests

The Iranian regime has announced that the University of Tehran dormitory, where a massive student protest against the theocracy was sparked in 1999, will be closed on the anniversary of the protests on July 8. Although the regime’s fears of student gatherings on July 8 and subsequent days is a clear motive behind the decision, the director of the university’s dormitory has cited “much needed extensive changes” as the reason for the closure. The dorm director, Dariush Esmaili, added that the students have from June 19 until June 26 to evacuate their rooms. Esmaili asked students to transfer their belongings to storage facilities, adding, the dormitory will be closed from June 30 to July 15. Esmaili added that during this time much needed extensive changes will be made to the dormitory.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued a statement on June 12, 2010, marking the anniversary of Iran’s 2009 presidential election, which precipitated a serious deterioration in the country’s human rights situation. It reads: One year ago, in the wake of Iran’s presidential elections, the world bore witness to the Iranian regime’s violent repression of its citizens, who were exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly in protest against the conduct of those elections. Iran has made absolutely no progress in the last year toward addressing the legitimate aspirations of its people. In fact, its regime has been even more repressive. Iran’s continued blatant disregard for the rights of its citizens must end. “Canada calls on the Iranian regime to uphold its human rights commitments by allowing freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of assembly; protecting religious minorities; respecting the human rights of prisoners and detainees; and ensuring equal treatment of women and girls. “Canada also calls on the Iranian regime to conduct an independent investigation into the killings, violence, arrests and detentions that occurred in the wake of these demonstrations. 'Canada strongly urges the Iranian regime to respect diverse social and political groups and their freedom of expression, and to engage these groups in a constructive dialogue that will serve to strengthen the rich fabric of the Iranian nation. “Canada further urges the Iranian regime to respect the rights of the country’s Baha’i community and cease persecuting it, discriminating against it and detaining its members. We note the trial of the seven leaders of the Baha’i community was to take place today, and we call on the Iranian regime to ensure that due process is respected.