RFL/RE – Germany’s Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel says he plans to raise concerns about Iran’s human rights record and its role in the war in Syria when he visits Tehran this weekend. Germany’s weekly Der Spiegel news magazine quoted Gabriel in its September 30 edition as saying that Iran can only have normal and friendly relations with Germany when Tehran …
Read More »Monthly Archives: September 2016
Union Leader: Less Pressure on Teachers Thanks to Rights Activists
Iranhumanrights.org – The leader of Iran’s largest teachers’ rights organization has said that due to pressure from civil rights activists, the government of President Hassan Rouhani has been less repressive towards teachers’ rights activists since the signing of the nuclear deal in July 2015. “The reason why [imprisoned teachers] have been freed or are granted extended leave is because of …
Read More »Iranian Authorities Silent on Green Movement Campaign Worker Missing Since 2011
Iranhumanrights.org – Alireza Piri, a dentist from Tabriz in northwestern Iran who campaigned for former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, has been missing since he was arrested on January 9, 2011. His family has not received any official information about his whereabouts despite making numerous inquiries with the authorities. “Many individuals told us that they saw Alireza in the Intelligence …
Read More »Iran reacts to death of Israel’s founding father
Al-monitor – The passing of Israel’s former prime minister and president on Sept. 28 sparked strong reactions all over the world, and Iran was no exception. At the age of 93, Shimon Peres died at a hospital in Tel Aviv after having suffered a stroke weeks earlier. AUTHOR Misha Zand As of this writing, no reactions from any Iranian officials have been reported. However, the news ofPeres’ …
Read More »How Khamenei played his ace to sideline Ahmadinejad
Al-monitor – Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad finally got the opportunity to meet with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Aug. 30. In the 40-minute meeting, Ahmadinejad reportedly sought to obtain Khamenei’s view on his pursuing a possible bid for the presidency in the May 2017 elections. AUTHOR Rohollah Faghihi The media reported Ahmadinejad saying, “The weak actions of the [incumbent] government haveleft people …
Read More »Foreign tourist visits fetches Iran $24B in 3.5 years: Official
PayvandNews – Some $24 billion came into Iran over the past three and a half years because of foreign tourists, the deputy director of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO), Morteza Rahmani-Movahhed, said on Monday. More than 16 million foreign tourists have visited the country during the mentioned period, ISNA quoted him as saying. Each traveler has, therefore, …
Read More »In memory of Iranian American physicist Ali Javan: 1926-2016
PayvandNews – PAAIA is sad to announce the passing of Dr. Ali Javan. A respected and accomplished Iranian American physicist, Javan was a professor emeritus of physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Co-inventor of the gas laser in 1960, he secured his spot among the great scientific minds of the 20th century, and was elected a fellow of the …
Read More »Eight Prisoners Executed on Murder and Moharebeh Charges
Iran Human Rights – Eight prisoners sentenced to death for murder and Moharebeh (enmity against God) charges were reportedly hanged at Karaj’s Rajai Shahr Prison (Alborz province, northern Iran) on Wednesday September 28. According to close sources, on Thursday September 22, eleven prisoners at Rajai Shahr were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions. The execution sentences of …
Read More »Seven Prisoners Executed for Drug Offenses
Iran Human Rights – Seven prisoners were recently executed in southern Iran on drug related charges. Seven prisoners sentenced to death for drug related offenses were reportedly hanged at Minab Central Prison (Hormozgan province, southern Iran). According to close sources, the executions were carried out early morning on Tuesday September 27. Iranian official sources, including the Judiciary and the media, have …
Read More »Iran: Shameful 16-year-sentence for Narges Mohammadi a devastating blow to human rights
Amnesty – In response to the news that the 16-year prison sentence against prominent human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, who is critically ill, has been upheld on appeal, Amnesty International’s Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Philip Luther, said: “This verdict is yet another cruel and devastating blow to human rights in Iran, which demonstrates …
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