Radio Irava

2012-01-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

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Do not transfer Ashraf residents to another location: Iraqi MP
According to Mojahedin-e- khalgh website and based on a report published by the Azzaman daily, Iraqi MP Mohammad Eqbal from the Iraqiya Coalition described Maliki government’s insistence to close the Ashraf residents dossier by transferring them to another location as bizarre. “Refugees must be treated according to human rights standards and international conventions,” Eqbal said. “It is the Iranian regime that attempts to direct measures on the Ashraf dossier based on its own interests. Camp Ashraf residents are considered ‘protected persons’ under the Fourth Geneva Convention and the UN must assume an additional role in the protection of the defenceless residents of this camp.” Azzaman daily also reported: Prosecutor lawyer Qahtan al-Saiidi says there are many threats and dangers in the relocation of Camp Ashraf residents to another location, and we suggest to the UN representative and UN Secretary General’s Special Representative that Camp Ashraf residents not be transferred to another location.

Senior IAEA Team to Visit Iran from 29 to 31 January 2012

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano issued a statement saying. A senior IAEA team will visit Iran from 29 to Jan. 31, 2012. The overall objective of the IAEA is to resolve all outstanding substantive issues. The team of experts will be led by the Deputy Director General for Safeguards, Herman Nackaerts, and will include the Assistant Director General for Policy, Rafael Grossi. ‘The Agency team is going to Iran in a constructive spirit, and we trust that Iran will work with us in that same spirit,’ IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said.

U.N. rights chief shocked at numerous Iraq executions, says number is ‘terrifying’

Al Arabiya, reported on 24 Jan 2012 that the top United Nations human rights official criticized Iraq on Tuesday for carrying out a large number of executions, including 34 on a single day last week, and voiced concern about due process and the fairness of trials. “Even if the most scrupulous fair trial standards were observed, this would be a terrifying number of executions to take place in a single day,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said, in a statement referring to executions carried out on Jan. 19. “Given the lack of transparency in court proceedings, major concerns about due process and fairness of trials, and the very wide range of offences for which the death penalty can be imposed in Iraq, it is a truly shocking figure,” she added. At least 63 people are believed to have been executed since mid-November in Iraq, where the death penalty can be imposed for some 48 crimes including a number related to non-fatal crimes such as damage to public property, Pillay said. “Most disturbingly, we do not have a single report of anyone on death row being pardoned, despite the fact there are well documented cases of confessions being extracted under duress,” she said. Iraq should “halt all executions and, and a matter of urgency, review the cases of those individuals currently on death row,” Pillay, a former U.N. war crimes judge said.

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According to the Public Relations Office of the Bushehr Judiciary, Heidar Bohrani, “The case of the perpetrators of the Abpakhsh incident was pursued in a special way in the Bushehr courts and currently, with the verdict of the penal court, both criminals were sentenced to public hanging in the place of the incident. …“In the past two months, five public hangings were carried out in the Province of Bushehr in the towns of Jam, Dashtestn and Gonave to teach others a lesson”, Bohrani added. Bushehr lies in a vast plain running along the coastal region on the Persian Gulf coast of southwestern Iran.
In other news the death sentenced of 2 Kurdish prisoners identified as Logman and Zaniar Moradi has been upheld by the Iranian regime’s Supreme Court on charges of enmity with God.
A death row political prisoner Ali Afshari is reported of being in critical condition after suffering an internal bleeding as a result of torture in the Central Orumieh Prison. This Kurdish prisoner was sentenced to death on charges of enmity with God by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court.
Also the death sentence of Saied Malek pour a Canadians residence was confirmed by the court, according to Fars state-run news agency.

In the Islamic Republic, Women’s main duty is housework, child rearing and taking care of husbands

Hamid Ahmadi cited the statements of Khamenei, Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader about the conditions of women’s employment in the society and said, “It has been stressed in Islamic teachings that the main duty of women is centralized in the home”. “The main [duty] of the man is to provide home expenses outside of the home and the woman has the responsibility of managing the home”, he added. This so called family specialist said that a women’s main duty was summarized in the three areas of housework, caring for husbands and rearing children.

Iranians forced to get Quran lessons for employment!!

According to Khorasan state-run daily a new government order to executive systems and Provincial Offices, all new employees are obliged to present permits showing that they have gone through Quran lessons in addition to the anticipated lessons. Employees who do not have such a permit have to go through Quran fluency lessons and then go to work.

2012-01-23T15:11:00.000-08:00

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Maliki releases Iranian regime’s terrorist from Iraqi prisons

According to Iraq’s Al-Rafidain TV, sources close to Maliki’s office have revealed that based on instructions received from the Iranian regime’s envoy in Baghdad, Maliki has ordered the release of all prisoners belonging to the groups affiliated to the terrorist Quds Force. These sources have said Maliki has ordered 52 prisoners consisting of senior leaders of ‘special groups’, such as paramilitary units of battalions belonging to the Hezbollah, Assaeb Ahl al-Haq and the so-called Promised Day Brigade.

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Freedom Messenger a Persian website said: Since the start of the New Year, the Iranian regime has begun a campaign of death, executing 1 prisoner every 4 hours. If the regime continues its rampage, by the month’s end they will have executed 186 individuals. If the rate of their killing spree continues further, by the end of the year Iranian regime will have murdered over 2,200 individuals. The regime has used an assortment of charges against such prisoners, in order to try to legitimize the massacre. The charges against each individual range from terrorism, espionage, drug trafficking, enmity with God, rape, and so on. Each of the prisoners has gone through a judicial system that offers little fairness, transparency, or due process. As a result, differentiating between ordinary criminals and opponents of the regime can be very difficult. Many prisoners face trumped up charges despite committing purely political offenses. Aside from leading the world in executions per capita in 2011, and being second only to China in the number of executions annually, Iran is currently the only country which still executes minors. In September of 2011, 17-year-old Alireza Mullah Soltani cried and begged for his life as he was publicly.

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Irwin Cotler the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal and the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Group for Human Rights in Iran, wrote in Natioanl post on Jan 21^st that Iran’s Supreme Court has now confirmed the death sentence of Iranian-born web programmer Saeed Malekpour, a Canadian permanent resident. Malekpour was convicted of “crimes against Islam” and “spreading corruption on Earth” – which have emerged as classic trumped-up charges in the Iranian pattern of the criminalization of innocence. For supposedly creating pornography websites in Iran, Malekpour is set to receive the death penalty. It should be known that Iran has been on an execution binge. This past December, Amnesty International reported on the escalation of Iranian executions, even by wonton Iranian standards. Six hundred people were put to death between the beginning of 2011 and November alone. While many of these executions were for alleged drug-related crimes, this category, too, recently has become a catch-all for the suppression of dissidents. Mr. Cotler added: This case should serve as the wake-up call that the Canadian needs to sanction the IRGC and list it as a terrorist entity. The United States has already labelled it as a terrorist group, while the UN and EU have imposed various sanctions against the IRGC and its leaders. It is regrettable that Canada continues to dither with regard to listing it as a terrorist entity here in Canada. The hope is that pressure from the international community may yet convince Iran to drop the false charges in this case and free Malekpour – allowing him to return to Canada. But however this case ends, the time has come to sanction the IRGC, and list it as a terrorist entity.

8 people who held discussions and criticized Islam and religion in an internet social network were sentenced to 54 years of prison combined

These eight people were mostly arrested between July and February 2011 for being active in a social network and criticizing and studying the conventional arguments and reasons in religious views. After the Intelligence Agency arrested them, they were tortured and forced to make confessions on state-run TV. They were kept in solitary cells for a long time and [intelligence agents] tried to link them to European embassies and countries despite the fact that they had only discussed religious issues on the internet. Most of these people were treated violently and were mentally and physically tortured for a prolonged amount of time.

A man accused of rape was publicly hanged

A 31 year old man accused of rape was married and had two children and was employed. He was sentenced to public hanging and 99 lashes after legal procedures and his sentence was carried out. He was hanged on Thursday Jan. 19, 2012 according to Fars state run news agency.

2012-01-15T17:08:00.000-08:00

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The Iranian regime hanged 12 people in Shiraz

According to state-run news agency Mehr, 7 people were hanged in Shiraz prison and 5 others in public in city of Shiraz. Their alleged crime was armed robbery. The abbreviated names of the 5 people were announced but not the other 7.

The National council of Resistance of Iran warned against the executions of family members of Ashraf residence in Iran. The NCRI said in its statement on Jan 14 that Judge Salavati for the second times has ordered the execution of Mr. Javad Lari 56 years old. He was arrested in the summer of 2009 for traveling to Camp Ashraf an Iranian resistance base in Iraq. The Iranian regime also sought to convict political prisoner Ali Moezi to death. He too was arrested for visiting his two adult children in Ashraf. Also the lives of Mr. Mohsen Daneshpoor 67 years old, Ahmad Daneshpoor and Abdolreza Ghanbari who were arrested during the uprising in 2009 and have been sentenced to execution is in danger. Mr. Gholamreza Khosravi SavadJani is also in imminent danger for giving donations to Mojahedin Khalgh Organization of Iran. He has spent 40 months is solitary confinement.

Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf face threats from Iraq, Iran

According to NCRI’s statement on Jan. 13, Nouri Al-Maliki Iraq’s prime minister announced 126 arrest warrants for the residents of Ashraf and accuses them of terrorism, ruthless crimes inside Iraq and murder of political and religious figures in Iran. The residence of Ashraf are the Iranian refugees willing and ready to be transferred to Camp Liberty but in a safe transition under the US and UN protection.

In an interview with the Iranian regime’s official media, broadcast widely on the state radio and television network on January 12, including Channel 1, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, said, “The Monafeqin (a terms widely used by the Iranian regime) are a completely terrorist grouplet and the first group of them will be transferred in a few days from Camp Ashraf to a base formerly run by the Americans so that the preliminary work for their exit from this country can be performed. We stress that in less than four months from now, no Monafeq will remain in Iraq. After that Camp Ashraf will be closed and the land will be returned to its owners.”

Mrs. Rajavi, NCRI's president elect expressed regret and objection over the Iraqi government’s litany of unlawful actions as well as successive violations of international law and conventions, particularly as they relate to breaching the principle of Responsibility to Protect about Camp Ashraf. For the third time, she urged the convening of an international conference attended by SRSG, Ashraf lawyers, the Iraqi and U.S. governments; the EU, UNHCR, OHCHR and European Parliament, in order to salvage the peaceful solution. Mrs. Rajavi called on the Secretary General and the Security Council to take action to this end before it’s too late.

2012-01-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

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According to Mehr state-run news agency, Nazar-Ali Moradi, 53 years old was hanged in the Khorin Prison in Varamin on Thursday January 5 on charges of carrying narcotics. Five people were hanged in Zanjan on charges of carrying heroin, according to Asre-Iran a stste-run media. In other news a man was hanged in Semnan. The Iranian regime also hanged 5 people in Kerman and 3 people in Kermanshah. According to Harana news agency, On Tuesday, January 3, 2012, twenty two prisoners were hanged in Evin on drug related charges. These prisoners were transferred from Ghezal Hesar Prison on Saturday and Sunday and locked up in solitary confinement in Evin Prison to be prepared for the executions.

Political prisoner denied medical treatment after paralyses with injection

According to Kordpa website, Jan 2^nd, a Kurdish political prisoner was paralyzed after receiving an injection in prison. According to reports, 26 year old political prisoner Ali Chak, who is from a village in Sardasht in Western Azarbaijan Province, was transferred to the Mahabad Public Prison infirmary where he received an injection. He became paralyzed in both legs a short time after the injection. This Kurdish political prisoner was once again returned to his cell despite his critical condition and was only transferred to Orumieh Hospital after other political prisoners protested this issue. No measures have reportedly been taken for Ali Chak’s treatment and his condition is deteriorating. Ali Chak has been sentenced to seven years of prison on charges of cooperating with a Kurdish opposition group.

Journalist Fatemeh Kheradmand has been arrested

According to House Rights of Iran, Journalist Fatemeh Kheradmand was arrested last night at her home and transferred to Evin prison. She is the wife of journalist Masoud Lavasani, who was released from Evin prison on September 8th after enduring approximately two years imprisonment. According to Human Rights House of Iran, Iranian security agents, who introduced themselves as judicial agents, searched Kheradmand’s house before arresting her. During the inspection process at her home, the security agents confiscated Kheradmand’s personal items and computer.

Iranian regime sentenced Reza Joshan to another 16 months in prison

Reza Joshan who was arrested during the post-election incidents in 2009 was sentenced to another 16 months of prison. According to reports, the first branch of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced this political prisoner to 16 months of prison on charges of propagating against the government. Reza Joshan who had been recently transferred to cellblock 209 in Evin Prison for fresh interrogations is currently in Rajayi Shahr Prison in Karaj and his sentence has been announced to him. Reza Joshan’s family says that another case has also been opened for him but there is no information on its contents.

EU agrees to embargo on Iranian crude

Reuters reported that the European governments have agreed in principle to ban imports of Iranian oil, EU diplomats said on Wednesday. The prospective embargo by the European Union, along with tough U.S. financial measures signed into law by President Barack Obama on New Year’s Eve, form a concerted Western campaign to hold back Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran threatened last month to shut the Strait of Hormuz – outlet to the Gulf through which 40 percent of traded oil flows – and on Tuesday threatened to take unspecified action if a U.S. aircraft carrier sails through the strait. Britain’s defense minister warned the Iranian regime saying that any measure to block the Strait of Hormuz would be illegal and we are determined to keep the Strait open.

2012-01-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

The Secretary-General Ban Ki moon welcomed the decision of the Government of Iraq to extend the deadline for the closure of the camp Ashraf to provide more time and space for the peaceful voluntary relocation of the residents. As reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding, the Government of Iraq has a clear and exclusive responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the residents. At the same time, the residents of Camp New Iraq have to abide by the laws of Iraq. He appeals to all concerned to continue to demonstrate flexibility and good faith, and move towards the swift implementation of the relocation plan. The Secretary-General reminds all concerned that any violence or attempt at a forcible solution would be unacceptable. The Secretary-General also reiterated his call to Member States to accept the residents who are eligible for voluntary return or resettlement as soon as possible. The United Nations has been involved in this issue from a purely humanitarian perspective and has played the role of an impartial facilitator. Under the leadership of Special Representative Martin Kobler, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees remain committed to continue supporting a peaceful and durable solution to the situation of the residents of the camp.

Obama signs new Iran sanctions into law

According to reports that the US President Barack Obama Saturday signed into law tough new sanctions targeting Iranian regime’s central bank and financial sector. The measures, meant to punish the Iranian regime for its nuclear program. The sanctions are meant to hit Iran’s crucial oil sector and require foreign firms to make a choice between doing business with Tehran’s financial sector and central bank or the mighty US economy and financial sector.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is facing death again

Sakineh’s case is before the court again for the alleged death of her husband. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, ‘has two sentences, one regarding adultery for which she was sentenced to stoning, and the other for being an accomplice to murdering her husband for which she received a 10-year prison term,’ said Malek Ajdar Sharifi, head of Iran’s East Azarbaijan province’s justice department. Sharifi said the chief of Iran’s judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, had responded by saying that ‘since the main purpose is execution then, if there are no facilities for stoning according to sharia, it could be changed to hanging’. Sakineh was sentenced to death by two courts in the northwestern city of Tabriz, capital of East Azarbaijan province, in separate trials in 2006. Under pressure by the international community, the Iranian regime suspended the stoning sentence pending a new examination of her case and she’s been in prison ever since not knowing what will happen to her.

Hangings continue in Iran

On the dawn of Wednesday December 24, seven prisoners were hanged in the courtyard of the Central Orumieh Prison on orders of the Judiciary. In an interview with the Mukrian News Agency, the lawyer of one of these prisoners, Massoud Shams Nejad identified these prisoners as Yusef .A, Heidar, D., Mehdi, S., Qorbanali, Sh. Saied, M., Sirous , M. and a female victim Nahid, A. “Judicial sources announced their crime as drug related”, he added.

According to reports, On Saturday December 24, two other prisoners were hanged in the Lakan Prison. One of these two men was 26 year old Sajjad Tal. He had been in prison for close to three years before his execution. His brother, Mohammad-Reza Tal was publicly hanged in Rasht.

Iranian women banned from kick boxing in Iran

According to new orders, from now on women are banned from participating in all kinds of sport competitions that are held in rings including kick boxing and Muay Thai and federations who cover these sports have to pay close attention to this issue, state-run Mehe news reported on Dec, 29. Marzieh Akbar Abadi, the Women’s Sports Assistant in the Ministry of Sports confirmed this report and said, “From sports held in rings, only kick boxing and Muay Thai are active in Iran and based on research into this matter, women are banned from participating in these two sports”. “In light of the violence in these sports, the danger it poses for the health of women who are to become future mothers, also the way the competitions are held, the kind of audience it has and the programs that are held before and after the competitions and in general the culture of these kinds of sports and the fact that it is inconsistent with Islamic culture and our Iranian culture, this decision was taken”, she said regarding the reason behind the ban.

2011-12-25T21:15:00.000-08:00

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According to the Iranian resistance sources, a number of rockets have hit the southern part of Camp Ashraf in Iraq. The rockets landed close to residential compound. Camp Ashraf was the target of raid last April in which 36 unarmed residents were killed. Since then the Iraqi government of Nouri al-Maliki has pressed the resident to leave the camp. The residents have filed for asylum with the United Nations Refugee agency UNHCR. On Dec. 21^st the Iraqi government announced a 6 months extension of the Dec. 31^st deadline opposed by Maliki. The Attack took place at 8 pm local time. Camp Ashraf is located about 80 Kilometers north of Baghdad.

Canada welcomes extension of Closure of Camp Ashraf

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird met with Abdulrahman Hamid Mohammed Al-Husaini, Iraq’s Ambassador to Canada, in Ottawa ob December 21, and while the two touched on a broad range of security issues in the Middle East and on the reconstruction of Iraq, the focus of their discussion was Camp Ashraf, the home to 3400 Iranian dissidents. This refugee camp had been set to close at the end of the month, but on December 21, the Iraqi government announced a 6-month extension of that deadline. This will allow the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees more time to consider and facilitate outstanding asylum requests. John Baird directed officials of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to visit Camp Ashraf and keep him apprised of developments there. The Minister also summoned Iraqi officials on several occasions and expressed Canada’s deep concern over the instability closing the Camp might cause. The House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights, aired the issue of Camp Ashraf thoroughly this fall and worked across party lines with Baird to ensure the safety and security of refugees in the camp.

Mrs. Rajavi also welcomes peaceful solution for Camp Ashraf announces the residents consent for transfer of 400 of them to Camp Liberty with minimum guarantees for their security and safety provided

According to National Council of Resistance of Iran’s statement on Dec. 21^st, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance welcomed a peaceful resolution of the Ashraf crisis and once again declared her readiness for an immediate visit to Baghdad for start of the talks with the Iraqi government for making the arrangements for implementation of a peaceful resolution of Ashraf crisis and to ensure the minimum guarantees for the safe and security of 400 Ashraf residents in their transfer to Camp Liberty.

The talks should be held at the presence of Ambassador Dan Fried, Special Advisor to U.S. Secretary of State on Ashraf; Martin Kobler, the UNSG Representative to Iraq; Ambassador Jean de Ruyt, Special Advisor to Baroness Ashton on Ashraf; Dr. Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice-president of the European Parliament; Struan Stevenson, President of European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iraq; and lawyers of Ashraf. While referring to remarks of Prime Minister Maliki on Wednesday, December 21, Mrs. Rajavi added: 'If Mr. Maliki, as he says, is truly for the departure of PMOI from Iraq, he should have not wasted any time since four months ago and immediately had accepted that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees start its work in Ashraf for reconfirmation of the residents’ refugee status and their transfer to third countries.' The President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, reminded the following as the minimum humanitarian and legal guarantees:

1. Safe and secure transfer of each and every one of Ashraf residents, without exception to Camp Liberty with their vehicles and moveable property under international observation

2. Around the clock monitoring by the UN and U.S. until the transfer of the last person to the third country,

3. Initiation of the work of the UNHCR,

4. Iraqi forces shall be stationed outside of fenced area of the new location to ensure the security and tranquility, particularly for nearly 1,000 Muslim women,

5. Ending the siege against, and halting any persecution and harassment of, the residents and annulment of forged warrants of arrests without any exception, and

6. Selling of the fixed properties of the residents under the UN supervision and to be reimbursed to the residents to pay for their security, logistical expenses, and transfer to third countries.

Head of Iran Judiciary defends widespread executions

Sadeq Larijani the head of the Judiciary in Iran said that the international community has become a tool in the hand of America and that the Islamic Republic is not ‘afraid’ of carrying out executions. “Execution sentences… are carried out according to the law and religion and in some case have to be in public”. He said. “Retribution in Iran is very rare but the law gives this right to the family of the victim and this is while in some western countries, they also accept retribution”, Sadeq Larijani claimed.

Iranian regime hangs man in Saveh

On December 20, a prisoner was hanged in the Saveh Prison. According to the Commander of the Saveh State Security Forces, this person was identified as N-Y.

2011-12-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

National council of Resistance of Iran said in its statement on Dec. 16 that during Wednesday December 14 and Thursday December 15, the military and security forces under Maliki’s command looted everything in the Moein building and facilities complex in the northern section of Camp Ashraf, and distributed the looted property among the soldiers and the units of the Army stationed around Ashraf. NCRI added: This action is taken in preparation for attacking Camp Ashraf. On December 14, the Committee for Suppression of Ashraf at the Office of Iraq’s Prime Minister issued an order to station the new mercenaries of the terrorist Quds Force and the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOI) at the Moein Building Complex in order to boost the forces around Ashraf. On Thursday December 15, Mulazim Haydar, Iraqi military’s intelligence officer who is stationed at Ashraf by the Suppression Committee, took a number of Iranian MOI agents to the Moein Complex in order to arrange for stationing new mercenaries in that complex. Due to his participation in multiple crimes against Ashraf residents, Mulazem Haydar is summoned by the Spain’s International Court. He was directly and actively participated in the massacre of Ashraf residents on April 8th, 2011.

Camp Ashraf is home to some 3400 Iranian dissidents who are facing inhumane conditions. As if lack of medication, water, food and fuel was not harsh enough, they are ordered out of Iraq by the end of Dec. 2011 by Nouri Almaliki, Iraq’s prime minister. Though they are protected persons under the 4^th Genva convention and now are recognized in the United Nations as refugee seekers, the Iraqi government prevents the UN officials to meet with the residence for interviews. On the other hand the early exit of the US army from Iraq seems to be helping the Iraqi forces for more deadly attack on the unarmed residents of Ashraf. Thousands of Parliamentarians around the world have condemned the Dec. 31^st. deadline as well as Iraqi leaders who oppose the Maliki regime and have demanded postponement of the deadline. The Iranian communities around the world are also seeking postponement and safe relocations of the Camp Ashraf residence under UN supervision to third countries.

Man hanged in public despite being in critical condition

The public execution for a prisoner was carried out on the dawn of Saturday December 11 in the Danesh Square in Shahre Kord even though the prisoner needed urgent medical attention. According to state-run media, a prisoner identified as Kianoush Sh. who had cut his wrists a few minutes before his execution was hanged in public despite heavily bleeding. Sometimes, the Iranian security system gives sedatives to prisoners before carrying out the death sentence to prevent such incidents.

Iran sentences 5 Christians to prison terms

The Revolutionary Court sentenced five Christians in Shiraz to a total of five years imprisonment. They were identified as Parviz Khalaj, Behrouz Sadeq Khanjani , Mohammad Biliad , Nazli Makarian [f] and Mehdi Foroutan .

4 Baha’i citizens held behind bars under very unsound conditions at Shiraz Pirbenoy prison

Human Rights House of Iran reports that in the past days, Vahdat Dana, Afshin Ehsanian, Farham Masoumi and Keyvan Karami were transferred to Ward 1 of Shiraz Pirbenoy prison where they are being kept in a very cold cell with 30 other prisoners.

These 4 Baha’i prisoners, who are prohibited from exiting the cell, are depriving of any movement in the ward by the prison officials. They are banned from visitations and are not allowed to contact their families. Even though their families delivered their medications, the prisoners did not receive them due to the prison infirmary being closed. These conditions are especially dangerous for Vahdat Dana who is suffering from heart disease.

They are in prison on the charges of “Propaganda against the regime”.

The Iranian regime to install security cameras in classrooms to further control students

Isna state-run news agency reported that Fatemeh Qorban, the aid to the Minister of Education for Elementary School Education said, “Currently we use closed circuit cameras in school cafeterias and public places to control students but in the future these cameras will be taken inside the classrooms to better control educational actions in the classrooms”.

2011-12-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

Security forces arrested 60 girls and boys in Shiraz partyAccording to Kayhan state-run daily Dec. 4; Participants in a night party were arrested with the efforts of the Moral Security Police in the Fars Province. Security forces were informed that a number of young men and women were having a party in a garden in the north western region of Shiraz. Agents arrested 60 people and discovered alcoholic beverages in the garden. The detainees were transferred to prison on orders of the Shiraz Public and Revolutionary Court.

EU leaders call for more sanctions on Iran

Reuters reported on Dec. 9 that European Union leaders called on Friday for more sanctions against the Iranian regime by the end of January, in an effort to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program. The leaders did not make an explicit call for an embargo on Iranian crude oil, which EU diplomats have been discussing this month as a way to respond to mounting concerns that the OPEC producer has worked to design a nuclear weapon. Instead, they called on their foreign ministers to broaden existing sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans on those involved in the nuclear work. EU leaders also called on them to study “additional measures against Iran as a matter of priority and to adopt these measures no later than by its next session”, which is scheduled for Jan. 30. The International Atomic Energy Agency last month released new evidence confirming international concerns that Iran is seeking the atom bomb. In other news Japan also toughens sanctions on the Iranian regime. Japan said it added around 100 Iranian groups and an individual to a blacklist that imposes asset freezes and now totals over 300 entities. It also raised the number of Iranian banks it has suspended correspondent banking relationships with to 20 from 17. Measures announced by Japan in September 2010 included halting all new energy-related investment in Iran and warning companies to be cautious over existing contracts.

UN asks Iraq to extend dissident camp deadline

The United Nations on Tuesday appealed to the Iraqi government to push back a December 31 deadline to close an Iranian dissident camp north of Baghdad, warning of a growing risk of violence. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also renewed appeals to the international community to find a home for the estimated 3,400 Iranian exiles at Camp Ashraf. Amid heightened international concerns, the UN envoy to Iraq, Martin Kobler, told the UN Security Council many “obstacles” remain to ending doubts over how to end the camp standoff. The positions of the residents and the government “remain far apart,” Kobler told the 15-member council. There is “a real danger of confrontation and even violence” because of the uncertainty over the camp, which has been home to members of the People’s Mujahedeen Organisation of Iran (PMOI) since the 1980s. Iraq has insisted it must close by the end of the year. But the camp’s inhabitants refuse to move unless they are given UN protection. At least 36 people at the camp were killed in clashes in April. Residents said they were attacked by Iraqi forces. Kobler said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is ready to start interviewing Camp Ashraf residents, but there is little hope of ending the dispute over the camp by December 31. “I therefore appeal to the government of Iraq to extend this deadline in order to permit adequate time for a solution to be found,” Kobler said. The envoy said any solution must suit the Iraqi government, which says the camp is a security threat, and the residents’ demands for a safe exit. Tomorrow in front of the white house a large demonstration by the Iranians is expected as Nouri Maleki visits with Barak Obama.

Women banned from working as secretaries in Bushehr offices

The Bushehr Governor cited the ban on the use of female secretaries for managers and said, “The plan for gender segregation for office employees in Bushehr will be carried out”… “Promoting virtue and prohibiting vice is a public duty and because everyone does not carry out this duty well enough, this issue has become obsolete in the society”. “Many of the displays of improper veiling in the society have become prevalent in the society because of management weaknesses therefore we need a strong will to solve the problem of veiling”, he stressed. “We will deal with companies and offices that have not cooperated with the Staff to Awaken the Promotion of Virtue and Prohibition of Vice”.

Qom women’s affairs cleric says equal education for girls and boys will lead to change in their sexual identity

The head of the Women’s Observation and Research affiliated with the Central Management of the Sister’s Religious Seminaries said, “The existence of an equal educational system for girls and boys will lead to a change in their sexual identity”. Hojatol -Islam Mohammad-Reza Zibayi Nejad pointed to some of the reasons for weakness in having forbidden sexual relationships and said, “One of the reasons is a change that occurs in people’s sexual identity”. He said that this was because of a change in how people see men and women and added, “The western educational system and also our educational system do not segregate on the issue of gender”… He said that the aim of the West in carrying out this educational system is to remove the sexual differences between men and men. “The result of this issue is that we bring up bold girls and sensitive boys”… “For example, epic poems have to be used in the boys’ educational books”, he added.

2011-12-04T23:17:00.000-08:00

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UK embassy attack orchestrated by Iranian regime

Al-Arabiya reported on Dec. 1^st that the storming of the British embassy in Tehran was not staged by a group of students expressing their indignation at UK policies, but was rather orchestrated by the Iranian authorities, sources said on Wednesday. Al-Arabiya added: according to the sources, the attack was planned under the auspices of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and supervised by Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, the commander of the Basij paramilitary forces. Photographs that depicted the attack on the embassy showed that a special force affiliated with the Basij, in addition to the other regular Basij troops, took part. Other photos revealed that members of al-Quds brigade also took part in the attack. The sources added that two official channels broadcast the storming of the embassy live. The channels were Press T.V. and al-Alam News Network, both directly controlled by Khamenei. According to the sources, no official channel is allowed to broadcast anything live without obtaining Khamenei’s permission. All Iranian diplomats left Britain on Friday after being expelled in protest at the storming by Bassijies of the British embassy in Tehran, a government spokesman said. Hague had given Iran’s diplomats 48 hours to close their embassy and leave the country, following the storming of two British diplomatic compounds in Tehran on Tuesday. Britain has also evacuated its diplomats from Iran and closed its embassy following the attacks, which Hague said could not have happened without the Iranian regime’s tacit consent. The attack on British Embassy came after the Iranian parliament voted on Sunday to expel the British ambassador and reduce trade relations with Britain in retaliation for UK-led sanctions against Iran’s banking sector. According to Associated France Press, France is to pull out part of its diplomatic staff from Tehran following the ransacking of Britain’s embassy this week. The European Union piled pressure on the Iranian regime following the attack, beefing up sanctions Thursday over Tehran’s nuclear program and threatening to hit its oil and finances next. The hope of the Iranian regime was that the west would back off sanctions against the mullahs which back fired. The international community strongly condemned the attack on British Embassy in Tehran.

Canada encourages the Iraqi government to extend the Camp Ashraf closure deadline

In an open Session at the parliament in response to Scott Armstrong’s question: Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs please inform the House our opinion on what’s going to happen at Camp Ashraf and our acts on this important file? Mr. John Baird responded: Canada encourages the Iraqi government to extend the closure deadline to allow remaining residents efficient time to take up required steps to seek asylum and to allow the United Nations Human Rights Council to consider and process applications. We call on Iraq to meet its obligations under international law. We also want to ensure that Camp Ashraf residents are not forcibly transferred to another country where they could suffer. I can assure the House that my officials and I will be monitoring the situation very closely. 3400 Iranian unarmed residence of Camp Ashraf are under siege and possible attack from the Iraqi forces. They have been recognized as refugee seekers by the UN but the Iraqi government refuses their status and is planning to transform them in different locations inside Iraq by the end of Dec. In April 2011 the Iraqi forces attacked the unarmed residence of Camp Ashraf killing 36 and wounding many more. A similar attack in 2009 by the Iraqi forces ended the lives of 11 Ashraf residents. Nouri Maliki Iraq’s prime minister is expected to visit Barak Obama on Dec. 12, 2011 and Iranians are preparing for a huge demonstration in Washington Dc in front of the white house. They are seeking postponement of relocation of Ashrf residents and protection from USA.

Officials extend political prisoner Reza Jushan’s sentence

Committee in Defense of Political Prisoners announced on Dec. 1, that the Political prisoner Reza Jushan who was arrested after the 2009 elections, has been sentenced to another year of prison for a new case. He was transferred to the special security cellblock in Rajayi Shahr Prison in Karaj. This political prisoner’s last sentence was due to end in late October but he was taken to Evin on orders of security and judicial officials in early September with the aim of bringing new charges against him… Mr. Jushan suffered serious ailments in the past two years due to very hard conditions and mental and physical torture by security and judicial agents. On the last instance on August 3, he suffered a heart problem and did not receive any kind of medical attention.

A Kurdish carrier froze to death in a solitary cell after being arrested by the security forces in Iran

Harana reported that according to reports from Javanroud, security forces arrested 24 year old Hashem Nazari on Wednesday November 23 on charges of carrying fabric. He was detained in a solitary cell in the Javanroud Detention Center. After five days, a prison guard found his lifeless body in the cell. The Javanroud forensics doctor said the cause of his death was extreme cold and lack of medical attention.

2011-11-21T11:26:00.000-08:00

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Switzerland widens scope of Iran sanctions

Switzerland has added 116 names to its list of Iranian entities under sanctions, in response to heightened international concern about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Switzerland has added the name of Ali akbar Salehi the Iranian regime’s foreign minister to it’s list of sanctions. The 35-nation board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog looked set on Friday to censure Iran over mounting suspicions it is seeking to develop atomic bombs. The new sanctions against five people and 111 organizations will come into force with immediate effect, the government said. The Swiss prohibitions include a ban on certain financial transactions and Swiss companies selling or delivering so-called dual use goods, products which could also be used for military purposes.

Powers pressure Iran, IAEA chief “alerts world”

Reuters reported on Thursday that major powers closed ranks on Thursday to increase pressure on Iran to address fears about its atomic ambitions, and the U.N. nuclear chief said it was his duty to “alert the world” about suspected Iranian efforts to develop atom bombs. The six powers involved in diplomacy on Iran — the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany — overcame divisions exposed by a hard-hitting U.N. nuclear report on Iran last week and presented a united front towards Tehran. They hammered out a joint resolution in intense negotiations and submitted it to the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a Vienna-based U.N. body, which is expected to debate and vote on it on Friday. Amano stressed the need for Iran to engage in serious talks to clarify issues in his report and said he wanted to send a high-level mission to the country to tackle increasing concerns about the nature of its nuclear activities. Amano said he hoped a “suitable date” could be agreed soon for his team’s visit to Iran, which permits IAEA inspections of declared nuclear sites but since 2008 has stonewalled an agency investigation into “alleged studies” applicable to atom bombs.

Sources: U.S. to slap new sanctions on Iran

CNN reported: the Obama administration plans to impose fresh sanctions against Iran’s petrochemical industry, diplomatic sources familiar with the plans said Friday. U.S. sanctions already prohibit American companies from doing business with Iran. The goal of the new measures is to bar foreign companies from doing business with Iran’s petrochemical industry by threatening them with being banned from U.S. markets, the sources said. European nations are expected to announce similar measures when the European Union leaders meet next week, the sources said. The measures, which are expected to be announced early Monday, build on existing sanctions on Iran’s oil and gas industry. Plans for the additional sanctions come on the heels of a report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA detailing evidence that the Iranian regime was developing the technology needed to build a nuclear weapon.

‘Iraq signs death warrant on Iran exiles’

Associated France Press reported on Friday that Iraq has served a virtual “death warrant” on some 3,400 Iranian dissidents exiled in a camp north of Baghdad, the head of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Iraq said on Friday. MEP Struan Stevenson said the Iraqi embassy in Brussels had sent a letter to the European Parliament tantamount “to a virtual declaration of war on the UN and international community and a death warrant” for residents of the Ashraf camp. Iraq wants a year-end closure of the camp but more than 100 parliamentarians along with rights groups have urged a postponement to give time to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and others to screen and resettle residents. The embassy note, obtained by a news agency, reiterates that “the Iraqi government is committed to its decision to close Camp Ashraf by the end of 2011”. It says the dissidents are “terrorists” and denies they have refugee status or can claim protection under the Geneva Convention. Stevenson said the note “clearly opposes attempts by the UNHCR to interview the residents and provide them with refugee status”. The camp, an accident of history that has become a thorny international problem, has been in the spotlight since an April raid by Iraqi security forces left 34 people dead and scores injured, triggering sharp condemnation. It was set up when Iraq and Iran were at war in the 1980s by the People’s Mujahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI) and was later placed under US control until January 2009, when US forces transferred security for the camp to Iraq. The PMOI has been on the US government terrorist list since 1997 -- though removed from the EU list -- but has received support from leading US figures in its battle to obtain international supervision of Camp Ashraf’s closure, timed to take place as US forces pull out of Iraq. Stevenson said the Iraqi embassy letter was “a blatant effort to set the stage for the massacre of Ashraf residents, clearly at the behest of the Iranian regime”.

2011-11-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

UN reports Iran work ‘specific’ to nuke arms

Associated Press reported; the U.N. atomic agency said for the first time Tuesday that Iran is suspected of conducting secret experiments whose sole purpose is the development of nuclear arms, an assessment that draws on 1,000 pages of intelligence and nearly a decade of research. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency is its most unequivocal yet suggesting that Iran is using the cover of a peaceful nuclear program to produce atomic weaponry. The National Council of Resistance of Iran for the first time revealed the Iranian regime’s Nuclear activity in 2002.

Iran hangs two men in Qom

Two people were hanged in the city of Qom according to state- run Mehr News Agency on Nov. 10 on alleged drug trafficking offenses.

Deadly blasts hit Iran arms depot

AlJazeera reported that two powerful blasts at a military base to the west of Tehran have killed more than 15 personal and wounded many more, local media reports say. Hassan Moghadam the most experienced missile commander is among the dead. The semi-official Fars news agency carried a statement by the Revolutionary Guard Corps which said that the blasts occurred on Saturday in an ammunition depot at a base in Bidganeh near the city of Karaj.

Tabriz political prisoners issued letter to UN revealing tortures by Iranian regime’s henchmen in prisons

A group of political prisoners held in the Tabriz Central Prison issued a letter to UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran Ahmad Shaheed, describing only the tip of the iceberg of the tortures and brutal treatment they are receiving in the Iranian regime’s prisons. The political prisoners called on the Special Rapporteur to come to their assistance and pursue their cases.

Iran bans skiing for women without legal chaperons

With the start of the Ski season, the Iranian regime has banned women from entering alone. This is a new order from State Security Forces which even includes women over 18. In this rule, women without “Guardian” or chaperon are banned from entering ski grounds. According to this order, young girls under 18 are not allowed to enter ski grounds without their parents and women above 18 are only allowed to come with their legal guardian. Married women are only permitted inside the ski ramps with their husbands.

Iran to scrap foreign clothes from shops

The Working Secretary of the Apparel and Fashion Organizing Group said that foreign clothing would be removed from the clothing production line.

2011-10-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

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The Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran said in a statement that Concurrent with the announcement of U.S. forces withdrawal from Iraq, Adnan al-Assadi, who is in charge of Iraqi Interior Ministry on behalf of Maliki, unveiled his boss’s intents for forcible relocation of Ashraf residents and their transfer to various locations inside Iraq on 27 October 2011. He said, “The central government has decided to close the camp by the end of this year and to scatter the residents to other camps in various provinces. This way, we would lead to control over the members of this organization and putting an end to its military centralism imposed on the residents. In addition, this measure would facilitate their return to their own country or other countries.” It’s important to note that the residents of Ashraf have no weapons for in 2003 upon an agreement with the US forces they handed in the weapons. Today 180 parliamentarian in Europe signed a statement urging the UN security council, US and European Parliament to cancel the deadline for Dec. 31th and for the UN to stationing UN monitors in Camp Ashraf.

Mashhad police arrest 19 men and women for going to party

state-run website Khabar Online reported that agents of the Najafi Police Station in Mashhad arrested 9 women and 10 men in a party.

Security forces confiscate over 1000 satellite dishes in Isfahan

Agents of the Isfahan Public Security Police found and confiscated more than 1,100 pieces of satellite equipment in two computer service shops. “The owners of the shops have been referred to judicial sources along with their criminal records”, said Mir Abbas Soufivan the head of the PSP, the Public Secrurity Police.

Iranian Cleric Mohsen Ghara’ati Blames Women Opposing Polygamy

HRANA News Agency reported that in his weekly televised lessons aired on IRIB Channel 1, Iranian cleric Mohsen Ghara’ati blamed women for opposing polygamy and standing in the way of their husbands who wish to get a second wife. Hojat-ol-Islam Mohsen Ghara’ati is the head of the Center for the Promotion of Prayers and a Muslim scholar teaching and promoting the Quran. Mohsen Ghara’ati said, “If a man has the physical power and the financial resources, if he has two cars, two houses, two cell phones, and two of everything, if he can provide two of everything, when it is time for marriage, women say: No! One God; One wife”. “What does this mean? This means the hell with one million women! If they commit sins, the hell with them! If they burn in hell, the hell with them! This is female jealousy. Women’s envy and resentment cause one million other young females to remain widowed.”

2011-10-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

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According to News wire-iReach Oct. 19, the Iranian-American communities in the United States are applauding the Obama administration and U.S. law enforcement agencies for their work in foiling the plot hatched by the Iranian regime to assassinate on U.S. soil the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. ”The current policy of ’engagement’ rests on naive hope rather than hard experience. The U.S. must expand its range of options in dealing with this irredeemable regime, which now include only ineffectual sanctions to unrealistic military strikes. The litmus test of this policy change is the unshackling of the principal Iranian Opposition movement, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), which was a concession made by the U.S. to the regime 14 long and unproductive years ago”, Said Nasser Sharif, of the California society for a Democratic Iran. The MEK was put on America’s list of ’Foreign Terrorist Organizations’ (FTO) in 1997. The highest courts in the United Kingdom, the European Union and France have struck down the terrorist designation of the MEK as perverse, resulting in the group’s delisting in the UK and the EU in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The Federal Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, rendered a judgment in July 2010, telling the State Department that it had erred in maintaining MEK’s designation. Some 450 days after the court remanded the case to the Secretary, the Department is yet to make a decision, flouting the rule of law in the process.

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Brussels official Wire reported that a conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, 19 October 2011, looked into the volatile humanitarian situation of a refugee camp in Iraq that has been the focal attention of the 27 EU heads as well as the US and Iran for the past several months. Camp Ashraf, which has become a mounting international attention, has been in the spotlight since an April raid by Iraqi security which left 34 dead and scores injured, triggering sharp condemnation. Iraq Al Maliki, reportedly by demands from Tehran, wants its closure by December 31. The Camp, home for the past 30 years to 3,400 Iranian dissidents, is now facing a deadly expulsion. The conference called on the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and western governments to adopt urgent measures to ensure protection of Ashraf and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and to obligate the Iraqi government to remove its deadline until the resettlement of all residents to third countries.
Participants in particular blamed the United States for its failure to abide by its responsibility to protect the residents. The conference emphasized that the U.S. would be fully responsible for another bloodbath in Ashraf. The conference also called on the U.S. President and the State Department to remove the PMOI from the FTO list as a first essential step to ensure protection of Ashraf.

2011-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

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MOIS talks nonsense in fear of consequences of disclosure of its terrorist plot in U.S.

According to National Council of Resistance of Iran’s statement on Oct. 14, Following the disclosure of the Qods Force criminal plot to assassin the Saudi Ambassador and to blow up foreign embassies in the United States, the clerical regime attempted to connect this plot to the issue of PMOI to divert the looming international consequences of this criminal terrorist plot from Khamenei and his regime. NCRI added: Mehr news agency, affiliated with the mullahs’ Intelligence Ministry (MOIS), wrote: 'Some sources have reported on the intricate connections of him, with the Monafeqin grouplet; hence, it is probable that it was the Monafeqin grouplet who planned this fictitious operation and then dramatically disclosed it for political gains against Iran.' (October 12, 2011) NCRI said: this disgraceful nonsense talk is nothing but the continuance of clerical regime’s shameful deceit in the three decades of its ruling where, time and again, directly or indirectly, it has related its crimes to the PMOI and the Iranian Resistance. The clerical regime has blamed the heinous murder of the Christian priests and the explosion of Imam Reza’s shrine in 1994, massacre of pilgrims in Mecca in 1987… and the dreadful murder of Neda Agha Soltan in the 2009 uprisings on the U.S., Britain and the PMOI.

23 executions in two weeks in Iran

The Iranian regime hanged four youths on Wednesday morning, October 12 in Shahin Shahr prison. In the period of October 2nd to 11th, nine more prisoners were hanged in the cities of Isfahan, Kerman, Sari and Semnan. Also, at least 10 other prisoners were executed secretly during the same period in the prisons of Gohardasht, Orumieh, Kerman and Khorin in Varimin. This brings the number of executions to 23 over the past two weeks (Since October 1st).

Three Prisoners Executed in Semnan Prison

Rahana reported that according to the Public Affairs Unit of the Semnan Court, the 3 people were executed the sentence was confirmed by the head of the judiciary are: A.S 43 from Neishabout, A.J 44 from Mashhad and R. Gh. 43 from Torbat. Their request for pardon were denied. According to the Anti-Death Penalty Committee of the Human Rights House of Iran, 142 executions have taken place since the beginning of this year and 39 of them were carried out in public.

Washington Times: The letter of 42 Iranian prominent writers and artists to the U.S State department to delist the PMOI

2011-10-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

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Kobra Amir-Khizi, on the verge of blindness in prison

According to National Council of Resistance of Iran , Kobra Amir-Khizi, a political prisoner and a relative of Ashraf residents, is on the verge of losing her eyesight. Kobra Amir-Khizi, was arrested in January of 2009 when she was leaving the country legally to see her family members in Camp Ashraf in Iraq. She has serious eye injury due to torture and strikes of cables to her head and face. The orders of Jafari Dowlatabadi prevents her from transferring to hospital outside the prison or receive any medical medical care.

Iran: Kurdish political prisoners on death row

Following the sudden and secret execution of political prisoner Aziz Khakzad who was imprisoned based on an unjustified 5 year prison sentencing, families of political prisoners on death row in Iran are concerned about the fate of their loved ones. The Kurdish political prisoners on death row that may be executed by the Iranian regime at any given moment include:

- Political prisoner Habibollah Golpari-pour, 27, who was arrested in the fall of 2009 in the city of Mahabad, western Iran.

- Political prisoner Seyed Sami Hosseini, 33, from the city of Salmas, northwestern Iran, was arrested in 2008.

- Political prisoner Seyed Jamal Mohammadi, 25, was arrested along with Hosseini in 2008 in the city of Salmas.

These three political prisoners who are on death row are held with 40 other political prisoners in Ward 12 of Urumieh Prison.

Hangings in Iran continues

According to Associated France Press on Saturday a man convicted of multiple rape was hanged in Isfahan. He was 67 years old. And according to reports, On Monday, October 3, eight prisoners were hanged in a secret mass execution in the Lakan Prison in Rasht. One of the prisoners was identified as Gholamhossein Akhavan. On Thursday September 30, 12 prisoners were transferred to solitary cells in the Lakan Prison. Eight of these prisoners were hanged but there are no reports on the fate of the other four. Only a small percent of the numbers of the new wave of executions that has started from a few weeks ago is announced by state run media. The families of those executed have said that the numbers of executions are much higher than officials admit.

Another man was hanged in Ardebil. He was accused of smuggling narcotics.

Protests Against Gender Segregation in Zanjan University

During the last few days, hundreds of students in Zanjan University have demonstrated against gender segregation imposed in the university cafeteria, buses and the Technical Engineering Library. According to a report by Daneshjoo News, following recent demonstrations at Amir Kabir University, Kurdistan University, Shahrekord University and Yazd University, protests have broken out in various other colleges throughout Iran. On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, more than 500 students in Zanjan University demonstrated in front of the Mechanical Engineering building and shouted slogans against limitations imposed by the implementation of the gender segregation plan.

2011-10-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

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Iran: At least 62 executions in September

According to National Council of Resistance of Iran during recent days, seven prisoners were hanged in prisons of Shahr Kord, Zabol, Qom and Varamin amounting to 62 executions in Iran in September. Twenty-three of them were executed on September 18 (22 in Gohardasht and Evin prisons and 1 in Ghazvin). At least 38 more prisoners have been executed secretly bringing the number of executions in September to 100. Among those executed were a 17 year old juvenile and two teens at ages of 19 and 20 who were under 18 at the time of their alleged offense. Other suppressive measures of the Iranian regime during recent days have been lashing in public of prisoners in Tabas and southern cities for charges of theft, issuing brutal verdict of eye gouging for a young man, arbitrary arrests, assassination of opponents, repression of women under the fabricated banner of “Ifaf Project” (chastity), raiding residential houses using excuses such as rounding up satellite equipments and etc.

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The Iranian regime is changing the Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s alleged offense from apostasy to rape and extortion, according to semi official Fars News agency. Gholomali Rezvani, the deputy governor of Gilan province, where Nadarkhani was tried and convicted, accused Western media of twisting the real story, referring to him as a “rapist”. “His crime is not, as some claim, converting others to Christianity,” Rezvani told Fars. “He is guilty of security-related crimes.” In a brief obtained by CNN, Nadarkhani has stated that he is a Christian and no longer Muslim,” states the brief. “During many sessions in court with the presence of his attorney and a judge, he has been sentenced to execution by hanging according to article 8 of Tahrir olvasileh.”

Twenty One Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Esfahan

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on Thursday, Iranian security agents arrested 20 Baha’i citizens in Esfahan. After their arrest, the houses of Parisa Rahmani, Farzad Rohani and Ataullah Daneshgar were searched and Baha’i religious artifacts were confiscated.

Security forces shot and killed one-legged border carrier

On September 25, another border carrier in Kurdistan died in the Orumieh hospital after being directly shot by security forces. According to Kordpa website, Soleiman Moradi known as Haji Soureh from a village in Piranshahr was shot by security forces and was severely wounded but died 15 days later in hospital. This Kurd carrier had lost one of his legs in a mine explosion. Soleiman Moradi, 32, had a wife and three small children.

2011-09-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

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Iran: Clashes with repressive security forces in West Azerbaijan Province

According to reports, the residents of Ghole Rahsheh village near Sradasht in West Azerbaijan Province (northwestern Iran) clashed with repressive State Security Force units in protest to the murder of one resident. One of the SSF agents on September 21st shot and killed Ahmad Satari on suspicion of having illegal goods. Protesting this crime, the villagers closed the village road and clashed with the SSF forces that intended to open the blockade, leading to the destruction of one SSF vehicle.

A mixed party was raided on Thursday night, and a young life ended

According to reports the Khorasan Police raided a mixed party and arrested 4 boys and 4 girls. One of the Girls for unknown reason fell off the balcony and died on impact. The police claims that the young women was attempting to escape arrest by jumping off the building. Iranian regime under the Isalmic law forbids mixed sex gatherings and imposes heavy sex segregation in Iranian schools, universities and other public places.

UN Experts Condemn Hanging of 17-year-old Alireza MollaSoltani

Four United Nations experts condemned the public execution by hanging of a 17-year-old AlirezaMolla Soltani. “We are outraged at the execution practice in Iran despite the international community’s and our repeated calls for a moratorium,” said the experts recalling that three juveniles have been executed in public so far this year in the country, according to reliable information. The UN Special Rapporteurs on Iran, on summary executions, on independence of the judiciary and on torture stressed, that “any judgment imposing the death penalty upon juveniles below the age of 18, and their execution, are incompatible with Iran’s international obligations.” In 2011 alone, over 200 people have been executed in Iran, the majority of whom were charged with drug-related offenses. It is widely accepted that the death penalty is an extreme punishment, and exception to the right to life, and that it may only be imposed for the most serious crimes. “We, however, regret that execution is common practice for people charged with drug-related offenses, which do not amount to the most serious crimes.” In most cases brought to the Special Rapporteurs’ attention, there have been concerns regarding fair trial safeguards and access to a lawyer and families. “We reiterate this clear message to the Government of Iran,” said the human rights experts, “to immediately implement a moratorium on the death penalty particularly in drug-related and juvenile cases.”

2011-09-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

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UNHCR moves to protect Iranian refugees in Iraq

The UN. High commissioner for Human rights has recently received a significant number of individual requests for the determination of refugee status from residents in what it called Camp New Iraq or Camp Ashraf. Camp residents who have submitted requests are accordingly now formally asylum seekers under international law whose claims require adjudication. International law requires that they must be able to benefit from basic protection of their security and well-being. This includes protection against any expulsion or return to the frontiers of territories where their lives or freedom would be threatened (the non-refoulement principle).

UNHCR has requested the Government of Iraq to consider extending the deadline for the closure of the Camp and to provide the necessary facilities so that these requests for refugee status can be heard in a timely and proper manner. There is no formal requirement for individuals to disassociate themselves from the PMOI/MEK in order to apply for refugee status. Each individual case will be judged on its merits and in accordance with international law. The Iranian refugees in Camp Ashraf were attacked by the Iraqi forces on April 8, 2011 killing more than 30 people and injuring hundreds.

Baha’i student expelled from University

According to Harana, Ava Tavakoli, a student of Hormozgan University and a Baha’i resident of Bandar-Abbas has been expelled because of her faith after 4 semesters.

Khodadad Rashidi hanged in Urumieh for Moharebeh

According to a report by Mukrian News Agency, Khodadad Rashidi was arrested five years ago, charged with the crime of Enmity with God (Moharebeh) and sentenced to death which was carried out yesterday Sept. 17.

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According to a report by HRANA on August 24, a group of 30 activists regarding the Lake Urumieh were arrested by the regime’s Intelligence and security forces. Currently, fifteen individuals who were amongst those detained have been tried without being presented by counsel and sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison with 2 years of this prison term suspended. Fifteen others are still in a legal state of limbo. According to reports some of the detainee activists are on hunger strike.

Lake Urumieh has lost half of its water thus far. In some parts of the lake, water has receded as much as 10 Kilometers. It has been estimated that Lake Urumieh will dry out completely in three years if the current trend continues.

Five Christians Sentenced to Prison

Last week, five Iranian Christians were sentenced to a total of 5 years in prison despite the fact that they were exonerated of all charges by a lower court. They were retried because the prosecutor had objected to the initial verdicts.

2011-09-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

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Khamenei acknowledges velayat-e faqih’s loss of clout, fear of regional uprisings, attempts to export fundamentalism to the region

According to National Council Resistance of Iran’s statement on Sept. 8^th the remarks of the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in his meeting on Thursday, September 8, with members of the mullahs’ Assembly of Experts was a display of the Velayat-e Faqih’s (supreme clerical rule) loss of clout and the regime’s fragile state on one hand and the mullahs’ fear of uprisings in the region as well as Khamenei’s futile attempt to take advantage of them. Khamenei said: “Absolute clerical rule is a flexible concept of rule … which can rectify or amend a path wherever necessary.” He warned: “One must be wary of a dangerous misunderstanding of this concept by mixing flexibility with deviation and short-comings in the face of foreign pressures.” In an unprecedented acknowledgement, Khamenei described the concept of Velayat-e Faqih is Khomeini’s creation in the history of Islam, adding: “The establishment of a regime on the basis of Islamic jurisprudence was unprecedented prior to the Imam [Khomeini].

Referring to the downfall of the regimes in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen, he said: “This is a great danger that regimes come to power in these countries based on Western models in the name of democracy” and “These nations’ religious elite must take over control of these nations’ affairs.” He added: “Here the [mullahs’ regime] can help these countries by introducing religious rule of people. Religious rule of people, which is our grand Imam’s innovation, can be a model for all these countries…This is our responsibility and must be carried so that the enemies of these nations are not able to use the void that has been created. This emptiness must be filled with Islam.” He admitted: “Sunni jurisprudence - whether the Shafi’i jurisprudence in Egypt or the Malikis in certain countries in that region, or the Hanaffis in certain countries” do not agree with the concept of Velayat-e Faqih.

Protests and Clashes in Azadi Stadium in Tehran

According to Freedom Messenger, young people turned a football match between “Isteghlal” and “Tractor Sazi” of Tabriz into a protest against the clerical regime. This protest was in response to the heroic uprising of the people of Tabriz and Uremia protesting against the repressive and destructive policies of the ruling religious fascism in Uremia. The clerical regime’s repressive forces had started checking vehicles coming from Azerbaijan to participate in this event from early morning hours, not permitting them to enter Tehran. Despite the controls close to one hundred thousand people in the stadium chanted anti regime slogans protesting against the government.

In addition thousands of people who could not get in the stadium started to protest outside the stadium, several of whom were wounded as a result of the suppressive forces attack and many more arrested. Protests started at 6pm with crowds chanting “The Uremia Lake is dying and the Parliament is helping its demise”. The suppressive forces fearing the spread of the demonstration, stopped many fans of the “Tractor Sazi” team from entering the stadium. This led to clashes between people and the suppressive forces at 6:15pm. Hundreds of people in Tabriz unexpectedly took to the streets and protested chanting slogans.

Iran: 14 executions and mass arrests

According to the Iranian regime’s state media, in the first eight months of 2011 alone, 206 prisoners have been executed. At the same time, at least 228 people have been secretly executed. Simultaneous with arbitrary executions, the regime has started mass arrests in various regions of the country. Based on Asr Iran website, In recent days in Kurdistan alone, 769 people have been arrested under the pretext of social security enhancement project.

2011-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

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Thousands demonstrate in Tabriz and Urumieh in all-out uprisings

Thousands took to the streets in an all-out uprising Iranian northwestern city of Urumieh on Saturday, clashing with suppressive State Security Force units and chanting anti-government slogans. Various reports indicate up to 20,000 people took part in these demonstrations protesting the Iranian regime’s failure to halt the gradual disappearance of a vast salt lake that is crucial to the region’s economy. Clashes and hit-and-run skirmishes began at 12 noon and continued until hours into the night. Beginning outside the city’s governorate office, the enraged protesters managed to surround the building and thus expanded their demonstration to various districts and squares around the city. In Tabriz, a demonstration that began at 6 in the afternoon in the city Bazaar spread to local streets and continued to the main square with crowds numbering at over 4,000. The SSF units attacked the protesters by firing tear gas while the demonstrators remained steadfast by throwing stones. The protesters also chanted anti-government slogans during their confrontation with the regime’s forces. These demonstrations took place in support of Urumieh’s Bazaar merchants who had called for protests against the mullahs’ regime. According to Associated France Press, one of the largest salt lakes in the world and classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Lake Orumiyeh has lost more than half of its surface over the last two decades due to drought and the damming of rivers feeding it. The lake could be dried out in the next two to four years and lead to apocalyptic consequences if no urgent action is taken, according to local officials and environmental experts. The lake’s disappearance would leave behind 10 billion tons of salt and jeopardise the lives of millions of people as well as the local agriculture. The mullha’s Majlis (parliament) refused in mid-August to fast-track a rescue plan presented by local lawmakers to save the lake, which is situated between East and West Azarbaijan provinces in the northwest. The refusal provoked Orumiyeh residents to demonstrate on August 27, only to be repressed by force.

Mullahs’ security forces attack Dervish communities in Fars Province

The Iranian regime’s State Security Force units and Special Anti-Riot Unit forces viciously attacked the Gonabadi dervish communities in the town of Kavar in Fars Province. The security forces fired tear gas and live rounds at the innocent civilians, resulting in a number of injuries. The attacking forces also raided a number of the dervishes’ stores and set them ablaze.

Mullahs’ increase pressure on political prisoner Hossein Ronaqi

The public prosecutor stationed in Tehran’s Evin Prison summoned political prisoner Hossein Ronaqi Malaki on Tuesday, August 30th to announce his sentencing issued by the regime’s “revolutionary” court. Ronaghi received a sentencing of 15 years of imprisonment issued by the Tehran Province Appeals Court and was asked to sign the writ announced to him. It is believed that this political prisoner has refused to sign the writ and public prosecutors have threatened to increase the pressure on him.

Baha’i Citizen Masoud Mahmoudi Detained

The security forces have arrested a Baha’I citizen, Masoud Mahmoudi and have transferred him to an unknown location. According to the Human Rights House of Iran, there are no reports as to the reason for his arrest or his whereabouts. Currently, several Baha’i citizens are serving their prison sentences in the Province of Khorasan.

2011-08-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

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Iranians Demonstrate in Washington outside State Department

On Friday Aug. 26gh thousands of Iranians and supporters of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), the main Iranian Opposition movement, gathered in front of the State Department in Washington, calling for immediate removal of the name of the group from the United States terror list. The demonstrators also called for the US government to ensure about the protection of the residents of Camp Ashraf where an assault by the Iraqi government earlier this year claimed the lives of 36 men and women in that camp. Organizers say that the participants had come from 40 states of the United States and Canada. The Rally was moderated by Patrick Kennedy, current U.S. Congressman and son of late Senator Edward Kennedy. The speakers called on the US to live up to its commitments regarding 3400 Ashraf residents. Brian Binley (MP) from United Kingdom, announced the support of 4000 parliamentarians from across the globe, including a significant number of members of the UK Parliament and House of Lords, for delisting the PMOI from the U.S. FTO list. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, addressed rally via satellite. She said that State Departments delay in removing the MEK from the terror list is unjustified and the MEK has paid a dear price for it with lives of those who died in the camp last April and those executed In Iran by the Iranian regime. She emphasized that the Iranian regime uses the US terror tag as a justification for execution of MEK supporters in Iran.

Peaceful Demonstrations Turned Violent in Azerbaijan

HRANA News Agency reported that peaceful demonstrations by Azerbaijani citizens turned violent when the Iranian security forces interfered with a gathering to save Lake Urmia in Azarbayjan province, Northwestern Iran. According to HRANA, anti-riot police in the city of Tabriz shot tear gas directly at the crowd and injured a number of the protestors. The demonstrations began when the Mullah’s Parliament rejected the water plan to Lake Urimia which is drying up fast. The Iranian regime has rejected a plan to redistribute water resources in the region and redesign irrigation systems, a plan which hopes will save Lake Urmia and the people and wildlife that depend on it.

Three Environmentalists Remain in Police Custody

According to HRANA News Agency, 3 Kurdish Environmentalists in Marivan, Kurdistan Province, will remain in temporary police custody for another month. HRANA added that: Sharif Bajour, Behrooz Darvand and Iraj Ghaderi were arrested on July 23, 2011 by security forces in the city of Marivan. On August 23, 2011, the prosecutor granted a request made by the Intelligence Agency’s interrogator to keep these three prisoners behind bars for an additional month because investigations surrounding their cases have not yet been completed. These three social activists have been permitted to call their families only for a few minutes during the last month.

2011-08-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

An Iranian blogger severely beaten up and transferred to hospital

According to Rahana, imprisoned blogger Hossein Ronaghi who is suffering from kidney disease and has undergone 2 major operations in the last few months, was transferred to Taleghani hospital with serious injuries sustained after being brutally attacked. His father, Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, told Human Rights House of Iran (RAHANA), “After the beating, Hossein was severely injured and lost consciousness. They transferred him to Taleghani Hospital where he was unconscious for hours. At the end of the night, they transferred him back to the prison.” Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, a blogger and human rights activist was arrested on December 13, 2009 and is now spending his Fifteen year sentence behind bars.

Mohsen Ansari, a resident of Camp Ashraf, passed away due to lack of medical services

According to NCRI (National Council of Resisntance of Iran)’s statement Aug. 18 Mohsen Ansari, a PMOI member in Camp Ashraf and a former political prisoner, passed away on Thursday morning August 18 after many years of suffering from MS (multiple sclerosis). His death was an outcome of hindrances made by the forces under the command of Nouri al-Maliki against Ashraf residents’ access to specialized doctors and medical services.

4 Political Prisoners Held in Ward 240 of Evin Prison

Behrouz Javid-Tehrani, Saleh Kohandel, Farzad Madadzadeh, and Mohammad Ali Mansouri who were transferred to Evin Prison from Rajaei Shahr Prison, are still under interrogation, enduring torture and held in solitary confinement according to reports. It’s worth mentioning that Mr. Javid-Tehrani was arrested during the student uprising in 1999 when Mohamad Khatami, a so called reformist was the regime’s president.

After Khosrow and Shirin, now Bijan and Manijeh is announced as not fit for publication.

The Director of Peydayesh Publications who had previously announced that sections of the 9 century old classic Persian book Khosrow and Shirin will be censored, has now reported that the children’s book Bijan and Manijeh is in it’s eighth publication will be banned. “Unfortunately the problem is that the Ministry of Culture and Guidance is not clear about the reasons or the words that cause them to censor books. If there were a guidance provided to publication companies, they would be followed in order to prevent these situations.”, said the director of Peydayesh publication. He added: “Due to this ambiguity, out of 10 books that we sent for licensing to the Ministry of Culture, 7 of them were audited, resulting in their scheduled publications being halted.” The Ministry of Islamic Cultura and Guidance is a body which oversees the publications of books in Iran. Thousands of books are banned every year in Iran due to what is called an “unislamic content”. It is known fact in Iran that the people who run this organization do not have enough education to undrestand the meaning of the words.

Jack Layton dies of cancer at the age of 61

Jack Layton the leader of New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) died at his home on Monday Aug. 22. He was 61 years old. He was leading the official opposition party and during the last federal election while fighting cancer he was also recovering from hip surgery and was walking with a cane. He was a determined man but lost his fight to cancer on Monday morning. The man who was known to many as the "man with the mustache" became the "man with the cane" during the election.

2011-08-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

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Abdolreza Ghanbari Is In Imminent Danger Of Execution

According to HRANA, Abdolreza Ghanbari’s death sentence order has been sent to the Revolutionary Court’s Implementation Division. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that the Amnesty and Clemency Commission has rejected Ghanbari’s clemency request and has sent the case to the Implementation Division. Ghanbari with a PhD in Literature and Persian Language was a high school teacher in Varamin when arrested during Ashura protest on December 27, 2009. He was charged, convicted and sentenced to death for video taping the protests and sending them to opposition groups. About a month after his arrest, without access to a lawyer, or knowing his legal rights, Ghanbari was put on trial on January 30, 2010. He was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced to death in the court room of Judge Salavati.

Iranian regime sentences 4 people to public hanging in Isfahan square

Isna reported on Aug. 11, that the verdict of the court seeing to the case of the group rape of a number of women in Khomeini Shahr in Isfahan was issued and according [to this verdict], four of the main culprits were sentenced to execution in public. Ansari, the Secretary General of the Isfahan Judiciary explained the details of the verdict issued in Tuesday and Wednesday’s court sessions in a news conference.

Iranian regime's Prosecutor says women’s workforce is the reason for high rape rate

According to ISNA a state-run News Agency, Aug. 10, the Alborz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor cited the elements behind crime and said, “One of the important elements of crime is the high rate of transportation in the highways of the province which is frequented the most by young people and crime rate increases because of wrongfully placing trust in private transportation systems”. “On the other hand, attracting female employees leads them to move about in the deserted hours in the city which leads to an increase of crime such as raped and kidnappings”, he added.

2011-08-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

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Iranian regime brings ‘water fighters’ to confess on TV

According to Aftab, state-run website dated Aug. 3^rd, the news segment of the 8:30pm [program] of the Sima [Iranian state TV] showed a number of the girls and boys who were arrested during the water fight episode in the Ab and Atash Park. They were shown facing a wall and their faces could not be seen. These people made short statements such the fact that they made their plans in Facebook to come to this park and talked about these issues. The head of the Moral Security Police, Rouzbehani, also said in an interview with the Seda and Sima reporter that these people were norm breakers and that with the coordination of the Judiciary they were severely dealt with!

Tehran Bazaar textile vendors announced strike will continue

Tehran’s Bazaar textile vendors announced their strike will continue until all of their demands are met. These vendors went on strike on Monday, August 1st by closing their stores in protest to a 4% increase in taxes. One textile vendor said agents from the government and tax department came and said you are English and will cause dissension among the public and must end your strike. However, the 1,500 textile vendors remained united and said they will continue their strike until all their demands are met.

UN special rapporteur : Iran must observe basic human rights

In a statement, published on official UN high commissioner for human rights on August 3, Ahmad Shahid to formally introduce myself and my plans to Iranian officials to investigate human rights violation in Iran. He added in his statement: I hope the Iranian authorities acknowledge the legitimacy of my mission, and take steps to comply with the International human rights rules and regulations. This would provide an opportunity to examine international concern on human rights in Iran. Ahmad Shahid, a former foreign minister of Maldives, emphasized: All the efforts are to show the steps that the Iranian regime could take to meet its international obligations, so that attentions can be focused on those who feel were victims of human rights violation. The Iranian regime’s Parliament has stated that Mr. Shahid is not allowed in Iran.

Iranian military and Lebanese Hezbollah members participated in execution of Syrian soldiers

Al Jazeera TV reported on Aug. 5^th that in a report scheduled to be released at the end of the month, Experts from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have announced that Iranian military and Lebanese Hezbollah members participated in execution of Syrian soldiers who refrain from shooting towards the protesters. This will be the first time that an institution affiliated with the United Nations clearly accuses Iran and Hezbollah of Lebanon, two main ally of Assad’s regime, of involvement in the crackdown on protesters in Syria. On the other hand, following the brutal repression by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the White House reacted against this regime for the second consecutive day and announced: Bashar Assad is in route to go and we should think about the days after Assad.

2011-07-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

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5 political prisoners are under pressure for writing to UN’s special rapporteur on Human rights in Iran

According to Harana political prisoners in solitary confinement: Behrooz Javid Tehrani who’s been in prison since the student uprising in 1999, Saleh Koahndel, Farzad Maddadzadeh, Mohamad Ali Mansouri and Afshin Baymani are under interrogations from the Intelligence ministry for writing to Ahmad Shahid, UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Iran. Harana added that Baymani is on hunger strike ever since his transfer to the solitary confinement.

Construction of five new prisons this year in Iran

According to Edalat on July 25, as the widespread arrests and repression by the dictatorship of the Iranian regime continues, Pasdar Kowsari, vice-president of the security commission in the reactionary parliament (Iranian parliament), has announced construction of five new prisons in Tehran and other cities in the current year. A few days ago, Ismaili, head of the prisons and torture chambers, acknowledged the pitiable condition of health and Cholera outbreak, and over Populated prisons. He said that the number of prisoners is three times the current capacity of prisons.

More than 346000 related satellite equipment were confiscated in Iran

According to state media Mehr news agency, Hossein Ghassem Loui said that more than 130,000 satellite dishes, more than 2000 receivers, more than 2000 switchers and 5000 different satellite equipments were confiscated and 20 importers and installers were arrested. He warned those who import or sell satellite equipments and asked the people to cooperate with the authorities.

Official Child Labourers More Than 600,000 in Iran

According to a report by Mehr News Agency, official statistics show that there are 380,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 working throughout the year in Iran. Additionally, there are about 360,000 children working seasonally. Poverty, poor economy, insufficient economic growth and improper distribution of wealth are believed to be the main reasons causing such disturbing social phenomenon as child labour. In addition to the fact that various occupations requiring hard manual labour harm children psychologically and physically, since laws prohibit employers from hiring minors for such occupations, children are not protected by labour regulations or given any social benefits. While the official child labour statistics are published, there are thousands of children who work in black markets illegally.

2011-07-24T17:57:00.000-07:00

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Six of the Iranian regime’s troops killed in clashes with Kurd rebels

According to Associated France Press July 23 a senior officer of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards was among six soldiers killed in clashes with Kurdish rebels on the border with Iraq, Fars news agency reported on Friday. 'General Assemi of the Qom branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was killed along with five clashes with PJAK (Party of Free Life of Kurdistan) in the Sardasht area. The Iranian troops launched a major offensive on Saturday against PJAK rebels operating out of rear-bases in neighboring Iraq. On Tuesday, the autonomous regional government in Iraqi Kurdistan demanded Iran respect the border after a Guards commander said Iranian forces had taken 'full control' of three PJAK camps inside Iraq. Iranian forces have repeatedly shelled border districts of Iraq’s Kurdish region, targeting PJAK bases.

The Iranian regime sentences 6 prisoners of conscience to death

Human rights activists in Iran reported on July 20 that the 28th branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court headed by Judge Mohammad Moqiseh sentenced six Kurd religious activists to death on charges of ‘terrorist measures’ and ‘being members of Salafi [religious Sunni] groups’. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Watch, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Behnam Rahimi, Asghar Rahimi, Yavar Rahimi, Mokhtar Rahimi, Bahman Rahimi and Mardan Maleki who are between the ages of 28 to 30 to death. This report says that these people were arrested two years ago in Sanandaj and were then transferred to Evin Prison. They were transferred to Rajayi Shahr Prison in Karaj after a few months in Evin. Currently about 15 Kurd prisoners are on death row.

Henchmen of clerical dictatorship exert excessive pressure on female political prisoners

Human rights website Edalat reported on July 20th that by transferring a number of female political prisoners from the Qarchek Prison in the city of Varameen to the infamous Evin Prison, this prison has become overcrowded even more. This occurs at a time when due to lack of sanitary and health measures as well as other pressures and inhumane treatment by the regime, most of the female political prisoners are suffering from various diseases, which have reached, in some cases, to very dangerous levels. Additionally, for some times now, the henchmen of the mullahs’ regime have denied any visits for the female political prisoners and have cut off their access to phone, Edalat reported.