Human Rights Activists in Iran En

Hunger Strike of Mr. Abolfazl Jahandar

hra-news — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 07:42:15 GMT

Hunger Strike of Mr. Abolfazl Jahandar

According to the latest report received from section 209 of the Evin Prison, Mr. Abolfazl Jahandar, an imprisoned student activist has gone on a hunger strike.

Mr. Jahandar was a member of the Islamic Students Association in Alame Tabatabai University as well as a member of the student organization Tahkime Vahdat before his arrest and imprisonment.

Mr. Jahandar was arrested last year by the Intelligence Ministry Officials and has been captive in section 209 of the Evin Prison for the past 11 months. In protest to the refusal of the Evin Prison Officials to transfer him to the common ward for political prisoners he has been on a hunger strike since Saturday July 14^th, 2007.

Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned for the health and well being of Mr. Jahandar and demand protection and respect for the rights of political prisoners in Iran.

Human Rights Activists in Iran

Hra.Iran@Gmail.Com

www.Iran-Hra.blogfa.com

Free Keyvan Rafiee after one year of Imprisonment

hra-news — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:14:10 GMT

In the Name of Freedom,

Everyone has the right either as an individual or as part of a group to work towards human rights within, and for their country as well as internationally.

It has been exactly one year since the illegal arrest and imprisonment of Keyvan Rafiee, the National Spokesperson for Human Rights Activists in Iran. However not only has the Islamic Regime prevented Mr. Rafiee’s freedom by not allowing him to post bail and by postponing his trial on numerous occasions, but they have also increased pressure both on Mr. Rafiee and his family.

Mr. Rafiee was arrested in Tehran last year on the 7^th anniversary of July 9^th 1999 pro-democracy student demonstrations (18 Tir). Prior to his arrest he had been threatened a number of times by the Intelligence Ministry Officials, both by telephone and in person.

Mr. Rafiee has spent more then 200 days in solitary confinement and as a result of this cruel and inhuman punishment went on a hunger strike on three different occasions suffering a number of serious illnesses as a result.

Both the United Nations and The European Union have shown concern for his health and well being and have asked for his unconditional freedom in public statements.

Yet after one year of imprisonment, there is still no verdict regarding Mr. Rafiee’s “crimes”. In fact his trial and verdict have been postponed on a number of occasions for unknown reasons. In the past year Mr. Rafiee has not been able to see his lawyer even once, and his lawyer has not been allowed to attend at any court appearances. The Intelligence Ministry and the Revolutionary Courts are planning to convict him for taking part in last years July 9^th student demonstrations as well as taking part in a demonstration on International Workers Day.

Most recently he was able to visit with his family for the first time after one year, although Evin Prison Officials did not want this visit to take place and made them wait for almost four (4) hours before they were able to visit for 30 minutes.

Human Rights Activists in Iran condemn threats made against Keyvan Rafiee as well as his illegal arrest and d detention and demand his immediate and unconditional release.

Request of Two Human Rights Organizations for the Freedom of a Human Rights Activist Sadeq Kabudvand

hra-news — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:14:18 GMT

In the face of recent increase in aggression against human rights activists in Iran, another human rights activists Mr. Mohammad Sadeq Kabudvand has been arrested by the Intelligence Ministry Officials.

On Sunday July 1^st 2007 five Intelligence Ministry officials arrested Mr. Mohammad Sadeq Kabudvand at his place of work, and later on confiscated all his personal belongings at home, and took him to section 209 of the Evin Prison.

Prior to these events Mr. Kabudvand had been sentenced to a one year suspended sentence. As well he was banned from working as a journalist for five years and from producing the “Payame Mardom” newspaper.

This recent arrest by the Intelligence Ministry Officials was based solely on his beliefs and ideas as well as his human rights activities in relation to the rights of political prisoners.

Besides being extremely concerned for the health and well being of Mr. Kabudvand , we ask all human rights activists and organizations to condemn the treatment of human rights activists in Iran by the Iranian Government and to urge for their immediate and unconditional release.

Human Rights Activists Iran

Kurdish Human Rights Defence Organization

Proclamation of Known Remnant of 18 Tir/July 09th, 1999

hra-news — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:27:24 GMT

Proclamation of Known Remnant of 18 Tir/July 09^th, 1999

Eight years have passed since plain clothed police officers attacked and invaded the student dormitories at Tehran University. During that night Ezat EBRAHIM NEJAD and tens of other students were murdered at the hands of Iranian Regime’s barbaric agents.

Thousands of student activists were arrested and subjected to most brutal tortures imaginable. Manouchehr Mohammadi a student activist and a freedom fighter lost his younger brother Akbar Mohammadi, under torture in Evin prison.

Eight years later I am still in prison in relation to my activities during the July 9, 1999 (18 Tir) student demonstrations.

Eight years ago without having committed any crime, without a lawyer, and without due process I was sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. After having served 4 years, and without any request on my part, I was pardoned by the Supreme Leader and released.

I was released exactly 43 days after my mother death. While my mom was ill I had requested to visit her briefly in the hospital on her death bed and later when she passed away I requested to attend her funeral, however both my requests were denied.

I was re-arrested shortly after my release once without any evidence and solely for my human rights activities. The Intelligence Ministry decided I was not deserving of the pardon and I must serve the remaining 4 years of my prison term as well as be sentenced to 74 lashes on my back. It is unfair that my back must pay the price for my mind and my hands.

On this 8th anniversary of July 9, 1999 (18 Tir) Demonstrations, besides keeping the memory of that day alive and remembering what happened to the innocent students, I ask all human right activists and organizations to identify and remember all student activists who have become faceless and forgotten in Iranian Prisons, and take the steps necessary to help them.

Viva Iran

1386-4-12

Behrouz JAVID TEHRANI

Last Known Survivor of 18 Tir 1378

Reproduce

Engineer Sadiq NAGHSHKAR

Speaker for Political Prisoner of Iran

Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand (m), Human rights defender and journalist

hra-news — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:21:30 GMT

The lack of information on the detention place of a Kurdish journalist and human rights defender puts him in danger of torture and ill-treatment.

PUBLIC

AI Index: MDE 13/081/2007

UA 171/07

Fear of torture/ Possible prisoner of conscience

04 July 2007

IRAN

Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand (m), Human rights defender and journalist

Iranian Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is detained in an unknown place, possibly Section 209 of Evin Prison. He was arrested on 1 July 2007 at his place of work in Tehran by plain-clothed security officers. Amnesty International is concerned that he may be at risk of torture and ill-treatment and believes he is very likely to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association.

Upon his arrest, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand was initially taken to his house in Tehran , where the security officers confiscated three computers, books, photographs, family films and personal documents, before taking him away to an unknown destination. He is believed to have had no contact with his family since his arrest.

Chair of the Kurdish Human Rights Organization (RMMK) based in Tehran , Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, is also the editor of Payam-e Mardom-e Kurdestan (Kurdistan People’s Message) a weekly published in Kurdish and Persian, which was banned on 27 June 2004 after only 13 issues for “disseminating separatist ideas and publishing false reports”. Convicted of “disseminating tribal issues and publishing provocative articles” and “spreading lies with the intention of upsetting public opinion” by a Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj, western Iran, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand received on 18 August 2005 a suspended prison sentence of 18 months, and a five-year ban on working as a journalist. His conviction was reportedly upheld on appeal, but the suspended prison sentence was increased to one year’s actual imprisonment. In September 2006 he was summoned to begin his prison sentence, but remained free pending an appeal against his conviction to the Supreme Court.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Kurds are one of Iran ’s many ethnic groups. They live mainly in the west and north-west of Iran , in the province of Kurdistan and neighbouring provinces bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq . For many years, Kurdish organizations such as the Kurdistan People’s Democratic Party (KDPI) and Komala carried out armed opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, although more recently they have abandoned armed struggle in favour of a federal solution. Iran continues to face armed opposition mainly from the Kurdistan Independent Life Party (PJAK), which reportedly began operations in 2004, and is affiliated to the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Iran has accused foreign governments of fomenting unrest among its ethnic minorities.

Violent unrest in the Kurdish areas of Iran broke out in July 2005 and continued for several weeks, after Iranian security forces shot dead a Kurdish opposition activist, Showan Qaderi, and reportedly dragged his body through the streets behind a jeep. Thousands of Kurds took to the streets to protest. Security forces reportedly used light and heavy weaponry in response to the demonstrations, which in at least some places included attacks by demonstrators on government buildings and offices. Up to 20 people were reportedly killed and hundreds more injured. The authorities acknowledged that five people were killed, and stated that their deaths were under investigation. At least 190 were arrested, according to official reports, although the true figure may well be higher.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Using your own words, please send appeals as quickly as possible choosing a few of the suggestions below:

- asking to be informed in detail about the reasons for Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand’s arrest, including any charges and evidence brought against him and of any trial which may be held;

- asking to be informed of his place of detention;

- calling on the authorities to ensure that he is not tortured or ill-treated;

- calling for him to be allowed immediate and regular access to his family, a lawyer of his own choosing, and to any medical treatment he may require;

- stating that if Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand has been detained in connection with his peaceful activities on behalf of Iran’s Kurdish community, or with his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression or association, then he is a prisoner of conscience, who should be released immediately and unconditionally; otherwise he should be released unless he is to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence and brought to trial promptly and fairly.

Mostafa Daryanavard a political prisoner in Iran who is on the 5th day of his hunger strike

hra-news — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:12:45 GMT

In the name of Freedom,

Mostafa Daryanavard a political prisoner in Iran who is on the 5th day of his hunger strike, was threatened by prison officials to break his hunger strike. Once the prison officials realized that their threats would not be successful, Davoud Baghviye the Evin prison warden for s. 7 of the prison further and repeatedly threatened him.

Mr. Daryanavard has stated that he will not break his hunger strike until such time where his demands are met. His major demand is the separation of political “crimes” v. non political crimes as well as the separation of political prisoners including himself from non political criminals.

Human Rights Activists in Iran condemn the treatment of Mr. Daryavand as well as the general detainment of political prisoners with common criminals as a from of psychological torture. At the same time the Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned about the health and well being of Mr. Mostafa Daryanavard.

Keyvan Rafiee's Letter from Evin Prison

hra-news — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:13:49 GMT

In the Name of Freedom,

With Greetings to all Iranians,

I have decided to share with all human rights organizations and freedom fighters all over the world my story, and what has happened to me in the past year at the hands of the Islamic Regime of Iran.

I am a human rights activist and have been working with other human rights activists and groups in Iran, fighting for the rights of those whose basic human rights have been violated. I am and was not a criminal nor have I ever committed a criminal act. My only “crime” is being a human rights activist who believes in the principles of human rights for everyone.

On July 8^th 2006 I was arrested by the Islamic Regime forces without an arrest warrant or without having any idea as to what I was being charged with. After my arrest I was taken to s. 209 of the Evin Prison which is under the direct control of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry. This section is famous for its solitary cells, blindfolds and torture. I was taken to solitary cell numbered 115, and was there for two days, when I was informed that I would be brought before a judge. At that time I still did not know what I was being charged with. My bail was set at 500 million Rial however I was not given permission to call anyone in order to try to obtain this money.

Shortly after, I was taken into a small room with one interrogator and three guards. In the hopes of breaking my spirits, they forced all of my clothes off and told me that my hair was too long and tried to cut off my hair with a scissor. I did not want to allow them to do this and started fighting back, at this time they took me to solitary cell number 73. At this time I still had no idea what I was being charged with. Being distraught by the way I was treated I started banging on the door of my cell trying to get some answers.

One of the guards blindfolded me and took me to see the warden of s. 209 of the Evin Prison Mr. Mostafa Karimi. In answer to my protests he told me that they could and would keep me there for as long as they wanted and that they did not need any reason for my incarceration. He also informed me that if I continued my struggle they would handcuff my hands and feet in addition to keeping me in a solitary cell.

Once again I was taken to solitary cell number 63 and the blindfolded interrogations started. Their only goal was to force me into false confessions in order to use the confession to further persecute me and other members of the Human Rights Activists in Iran. Because of the fact that they had no evidence against me and they had not laid any charges the interrogations and accusations kept on changing, and they kept on accusing me of different “crimes.” There were also times when I would not be interrogated for days or even weeks and I would be left alone in my solitary cell.

It is also important to mention that during this time my family had no news of my whereabouts and I was not able to contact them. I was also not allowed very basic rights such as adequate clothing, being able to get fresh air, pen and paper or telephone calls and visitations.

Recently I found out that shortly after my arrest intelligence ministry officials had gone to my fathers house and went through my family’s personal belongings and took number of things that did not belong to me. At this time my family was desperately searching for me in revolutionary courts, jails, coroner’s office, hospitals and even graveyards, and finally after 3 months they were informed of my whereabouts.

After one month in solitary confinement and having faced such cruel and inhuman behavior I decided to go on a hunger strike and I even refused to drink water. After four days I was promised by the prison warden that the prison conditions would improve and I ended my strike. Unfortunately as a result of not drinking water for so long I came down with an intestine infection as well as severe gum infection and was not able to eat or drink anything but water for 15 days, and I was in severe pain and unable to move for these 15 days.

On numerous occasions I was told by the prison guards that I was free, or that I would be free soon, or they would give me a date on which I would supposedly be released. Unfortunately I realized that all this was nothing but a form of psychological torture and I was left in solitary cells with no hope of being released.

After three (3) months in solitary confinement once again I started my protests and insisted that I be taken into the general prison ward rather then solitary cells. I was told by prison guards that the only other place they would take me would be in a cell with Al’Qaeda detainees. When I continued my protest they did indeed put me in a cell with two prisoners whom I was told were Al Qaeda members, who needed to take dozens of medications every day in order to be able function. These two prisoners threatened me to death on numerous occasions and on one occasion produced a piece of glass and threatened to kill me with it

Once again I requested to be put in a cell with Iranian inmates and once again I was refused. Again I was forced to go on a hunger strike even though I was extremely ill and in danger of coming down with another intestine infection. After three days of refusing to eat or drink water, once again I was taken to see the prison warden who told me that I could choose between where I was or the solitary cell, and that those were my only two choices. I had no choice but to choose the solitary cell. They forced me to write a statement claiming that I had requested to be transferred to a solitary cell and they were granting my request.

I was once again taken to solitary cell 130 and was there until 11 October 2006 when I was taken for interrogation at a revolutionary court and was charged with acting against the regime, propaganda against the regime, risking national security and involvement with anti-revolutionary groups. I asked why I had not been allowed to post bail and was told that the revolutionary courts had special powers and that they would not let me post bail and would keep me in jail for as long as they wanted.

I asked to see my family and asked for a lawyer. I was told that the lawyer I had requested was a spy working against the government and that in any event I would not need a lawyer, and if it was necessary for me to have a lawyer they would assign one for me. They also did not allow me to call my family.

Because of my requests the prison officials were not happy with me and once again I was taken to the same interrogation place on 17 October 2006 and was further charged with organizing and participating in protests, after which I was taken to solitary confinement again.

On 6 December 2006 I was taken to court and without the presence of my lawyer, or the crown the trial proceeded with the judge reading the charges against me and giving me 10 minutes to defend myself. During these 10 minutes I only had time to ask to see the evidence they had against me. I was not shown any evidence and taken back to my cell. A month later I was told that my case was under review and they did not know when there would be a verdict on my case.

On 11 January 2007after 190 days of imprisonment most of which had been in solitary confinement with severe psychological torture I was taken to the general ward in s. 209 of the Evin Prison which was an extremely small room and housing 19 prisoners. I was finally given permission to call my family after 6 months and was able to tell them that I was alive.

At this time there was a virus going around the prison and due to lack of medical attention and dirty air most of us including myself were suffering from it. I myself was coughing blood and suffering from this virus for more then 2 months without being able to get any medical attention.

Every week we had about 2 hours of “fresh air” time, where we were taken into another cell with the only different being that this cell had windows on its ceilings. We also had 10 minutes a week to call our families. The days kept passing by. Later I learned that my father had been summoned to court and ordered to speak with me and try to talk me out of my beliefs and my human rights activities.

However I cannot and will not stop my human rights activities. We celebrated the New Year in our small cell with great hope for the future and thinking about our beloved country Iran and our countrymen.

Once the prison officials realized that they would not be able to break me or change my beliefs and ideas I was taken out of s. 209 of the prison and into s. 6 of the Evin Prison.

On 18 April 2007 once again I was taken to court, however due to non cooperation of the crown and the intelligence ministry officials once again my trial was postponed and all I was left with was the pain and pressure of waiting.

On 20 may 2007 I learned that once again the Intelligence Ministry had continued its cruel and inhuman behavior by going to my fathers house and after going through their personal belongings, arresting my father and sister, as well as my brother an hour later. The only possible purpose of these arrests was to put further pressure on me and try to break my will. My family members were released at 10 pm that night after being interrogated and threatened.

On 22 may 2007 I was once again taken to court for my trial however due to the absence of the Crown as well as the Ministry of Intelligence Officials my trial was postponed once again.

On 3 Juan 2007my family was summoned to court once again and this situation still continues. In the past year I have not been able to visit with my family even once. Also 11 other members of the Human Rights Activists have been summoned to court, interrogated and threatened.

My only “crime” is being a human rights activist who strongly believes in equality and other basic rights for everyone. Although I am subjected to severe physical and psychological pressures in prison I am not willing to stop for even one second from defending human rights and fighting against human rights violations in Iran. I will cope with the injustice done against me in the hopes of the rise of justice and support of all other human rights activists in the world.

Long Live Freedom and Equality,

Keyvan Rafiee

Human Rights Activist

Evin Prison

http://iran-hra.blogfa.com/post-389.aspx

To the Amnesty international and Human Rights Watch

hra-news — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:15:18 GMT

In the past few months we have witnessed the oppression of the Iranian studeand the student movement by the Islamic Regime in Iran. For example Mr. Ansari, Mr. Derakhshandi and Mr. Jahandar, three (3) students, and members of The Committee of Iranian Students (Tahkime Vahdat) have been arrested, tortured and have been kept in solitary confinement for months without any of their basic rights or need being met.

We have also witnessed the oppression of the Islamic Student Associations in Alame Tabatabai University by the intelligence ministry officials and the arrest of two members of Islamic Students Association named Saeed Feyze Alhi and Mazyar Samiee. Further more than 14 students have been expelled from the Alame University while 93 students have been banned from further studies and from entering the University grounds by the University "disciplinary committee" at the Private Islamic Karaj University.

Also organization and activities of student organizations in Tabriz University have been suspended, as well, the general secretary Mr. Younes Zareyvun has been summoned to the revolutionary courts. Student elections have been prevented and other oppressive measures towards student activists at Tabriz University are under way.

Another student activist Soleyman Sima (General Secretary of Islamic Students Association at Tehran University) has been suspended from university for one term and is no longer allowed to study at Tehran University. To further his studies he can only attend Karaj University. Furthermore elections for Islamic Student Association at Azad Shahr University have been cancelled and the general secretary of the group Mr. Saeed Mehdi Khoday has been suspended for a period of one term from university. As well as Mr. Khosrovani who was a running candidate for this organization has been suspended for one term. We have also seen the suspension of four other student activists in Sanandaj University.

About a month ago certain articles which were deemed to be anti-regime and anti Islamic were published in 4 Amir Kabir University Papers. Shortly after the publication of these articles the editors of these papers wrote and published a joint statement, stating that the articles were not written by the students and denied any involvement in the publication of these articles. However the Islamic Regime has paid no attention to this joint statement, and has turned Amir Kabir University grounds into an army base, by posting a large number of security officials on the university grounds.

Because of their political activities in various Islamic Student Associations the Students of Amir Kabir University have been under the domination and repression of the Islamic Regime. During a recent speech made by the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Amir Kabir University the students staged a protest and set fire to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s picture. Currently Amir Kabir University resembles an army base with the presence of an unreasonable large group of security forces.

On the 29^th of Ordibehesth two Amir Kabir University students Ismail Salmanpour and Arman Sedaghati, who had been suspended from University due to their political activities were attacked and beaten by Islamic Regime guards, to the extent where they had to be taken to the hospital.

More then 40 other students have been summoned by the disciplinary committee and either suspended or expelled from Amir Kabir University.

Nariman Mostafari, Naser Pouyafar, and Hossein Tarkashvand have been summoned to court for their student activities.

The Islamic Regime represses student activists through summoning them to revolutionary courts for interrogation, by arresting them on their way or back from university or by entering their homes without a warrant, seizing their personal belongings and taking them to s. 209 of the Evin Prison which is under the direct control of the Ministry of Intelligence.

In the past few months 8 other Amir Kabir University students have been arrested and taken to s. 209 of the Evin Prison. The names of these students are Ahmad Ghasaban (Editor of Sahar newspaper), Majid Sheykpour (Editor of Sare Khat newspaper), Pouyan Mahmoudiyan (Editor of Rayvar newspaper), Majid Tavakoli, Ehsan Mansouri, Abbas Hakimzadeh and Ali Sabri.

Furthermore the health and well being of Mr. Abbas Hakimzadeh is in severe danger due to his recent back operation. According to his doctor he should not be kept in one place for long and any physical attack he may be subjected to in prison can be extremely dangerous and life threatening.

There is also great concern for the health and well being of Ehsan Mansouri who as a result of torture is suffering from a broken ankle and has not been allowed to obtain the necessary medical attention that he needs.

The Human Rights Activists in Iran invite the United Nations as well as all other human rights organizations to condemn this unjustified attack and oppression on the students in Iran. The Human Rights Activists also urge all human rights organizations to help free the students named above.

http://www.petitiononline.com/AK209/petition.html

To the Members of the United Nations Human Rights council

hra-news — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:52:18 GMT

To the Members of the United Nations Human Rights council:

We are two groups of human rights activists in Iran who are writing this letter to report on the violation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our ultimate goal is to improve the rights of the citizens of this country.

In the past year, the government of Iran has violently put a stop to human rights protests lead by University students, political activists, labors union, and various women groups. Specifically, it is the revolutionary courts of Iran who carry out the punishing for anybody who is seemingly against Islamic law. Sadly, it is the activists who are fighting for basic human freedom that are forced to endure the most brutal punishments. There is not much that Iranians can do to stop them because the rules, regulations, and methods of punishment of the revolutionary courts are not released to anybody, even if you are a lawyer. Conjointly, the bylaws are created behind closed doors, without any witnesses present.

In some circumstances, the courts demand lawyers to discontinue with certain client files, and even withdraw from the case altogether. The revolutionary courts even have permission to commit ordinary people without having anyone present to witness the prosecution. The situation of human rights in Iran is getting so out of hand that lawyers are also getting arrested simply for being involved in the case.

The government officials of Iran currently insist on using hanging as a form of capital punishment. One of the main reasons why inhumane methods to carnage citizens exist today is to instill fear into the minds of the people. In the past year alone, there have been hundreds of men and women who have been killed by hanging either in prisons or in public. In some cases, the government officials have special permission to sever prisoner body parts or kill women by stoning.

The government of Iran continues to harass and keep close surveillance on minority groups who practice a faith other than Islam. Since the government does not condone other religious groups, they look for excuses to arrest and prosecute their leaders. In the past year, the ministry of Information has closed down three home-based Christian churches and arrested their leaders.

Moreover, Zoroastrians, Jewish, Christians, and Bahai’s are not allowed to discuss or advocate their religion to others. Other communities who continue to get harassed include Muslim groups Alavi, Sunni, and Darvish Gonabadies, and any supporter of Ayatollah Boroujerdi.

The government officials continue to also harass Iranian minority racial groups such as Azarian, Baluchistani, Arabic, and Kurdish people. The citizens of the preceding groups live in different parts of Iran including Azarbayjan, Baluchestan. Khuzestan and Kurdestan. Due to the citizens’ constant strife, many actively protest for human rights of equality and freedom. Unfortunately, most of these voices go unheard, and those who do get heard are imprisoned for being too vocal.

In 2006, two political activists named Akbar Mohammadi and Valiyolah Feyz-Mahdavi died mysteriously in two of Iran’s most notorious prisons. In another similar case, student activist, Behrooz javid-Tehrani was arrested 8 years ago in a student movement demonstration and has been jailed ever since.

In the past year alone he has been attacked more than three times in Gohardasht Prison where he was extremely abused and assaulted by prison guards and officials.

Citizens of Iran can be incarcerated for simply insisting on their beliefs; such is the case for Saeed Mossouri and Mohammad Ebrahemi who have been jailed for over two years in Evin Prison’s solitary confinements in section 209,

There are many similar cases that are reported regularly not only in Tehran, but in other city jails including Kermanshah, Kurdestan, Oroomiye, and Ahvaz.

Being a prisoner in Iran means that you become virtually stripped of any right that you should already have. For instance, those who are incarcerated do not have access to lawyers or any form of medical care. Most political and human rights prisoners are placed in solitary confinement for long periods of time, and do not have the right to contact their families to inform them of their situation.

Iranian police often interfere with ordinary citizens’ personal lives as well. The excuse they give for their intrusion is that they are only after those who disobey proper “Islamic” attire. The police attack both males and females who are not fully abiding by the country’s dress code. The most common form of punishment for people includes harassment and jail time. Often times, citizens are forced to get into police cars, and are paraded around town in order to get publicly humiliated.

The above-mentioned circumstances leave the Iranian people with inconceivably no economic or emotional security in their lives. Everyday, they face new limitations in the hands of the Islamic government.

We are requesting the United Nations to acknowledge the Iranian government’s violation of human rights in the June 12, 2007 meeting. We all need to come up with practical solutions in order to have better control of the current situation. It is time we put an end to violence and injustice in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Sincerely

1- Human Rights Activists in Iran

2- Kurdish Human Rights defense organization (R.M.M.K)

Iran: 2007-06-09

Torture of political prisoners in Iran

hra-news — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:57:17 GMT

To: World Organisation Against, All human rights defenders organizations

From: Human rights activists in Iran,

Subject: Torture/Fear for safety/illegal arresting/no medical helps/prisoner of continence

Torture of political prisoners in Iran

The political prisoners were on the terrible racks according 28 years of rule of Islamic Regime in Iran. They just arrested because having ideas and beliefs which were different with ways of leaders of regime.

Just the few of them are speaking about these terrible racks, most of the times their families and relatives do not know any thing about tortures they pain. According the start of the year of 2007 most of political prisoners was on the rack by persons in charge of ministry of information in the terrible sections of jails and prisons.

For example, torture of Sirs, Behroz Javid Tehrani, Saeed Derakhshandi, Mousavi Khoeini, Aiat-allah Kazemini Brojerdi, Hashem Shahi-nia, Saeed Shah-Ghale, and so Dr. Naser Zarafshan.

Mr. Behroz Javid Tehrani because of revealing the racks made so angry regime of Iran. He went on the rack twice at end of 2006 and so is attacked by person in charge of prison at transporting to evolution court at 24-4-2007.

Mr. Saeed Derakhshandi, one of student political prisoner who is a long time in terrible section 209 of Evin jail, was attracted by person in charge of ministry of information very hard, he feel so much pain in the his back and his left hand now. The persons in charge of prison refrain from curing him.

Human Rights Activists in Iran condemn the torture of political prisoners in Iran and ask all of human rights defender organization and the World Organisation Against Torture, to condemn all non human actions of Islamic Regime in Iran.

Sincerely,