Health and Hygiene

Radiofarda – The chaotic situation of coronavirus information dissemination in Iran has given rise to many controversies as the performance of Iran’s state-run TV has invited criticism by citizens, as well as artists, journalists and political activists. Amir-Hossein Rostami, an Iranian actor asked critical questions on a live TV program Monday evening, including why the government delayed announcing the coronavirus …

Iran-HRM – Despite official cover-ups on the death toll of the Coronavirus outbreak, the state-run ILNA news agency reported on March 12, 2020 that on the orders of the governor of Khaf, in Razavi Khorassan Province, a large number of graves have been dug on the foothills of Khajeyar Mountains to bury the victims of Coronavirus. The preparations contradict official announcements …

Al-Monitor – As of March 17, the coronavirus epidemic in Iran had killed nearly a thousand people and infected over 16,000 others. For a theocracy like the Islamic Republic, closing down religious sites as a measure to slow transmission is a tough decision, leaving the authorities stuck between a rock and hard place. Yet with the epidemic showing no sign of abating, the Iranian authorities chose …

PayvandNews – Iranian state television has warned that the coronavirus outbreak could kill “millions” in the Islamic republic if the public keeps ignoring health measures as the death toll spiked to almost 1,000. The warning was broadcast on March 17 in the afternoon, after the Health Ministry said 135 more people had been killed by the new coronavirus over the …

Shabtabnews – On 16th March 2020, IOPHR sent an open letter to Mrs Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, requesting the IMF not to provide direct funds to the Iranian regime for combating Coronavirus , but instead pay the funds directly to international NGO’s. In there letter IOPHR points out that given the widespread corruption and level …

Radiofarda – Dr. Rick Brennan, Director of Emergency Operations in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new Emergencies Program has said that Iran’s coronavirus (COVID-19) death toll is underreported due to testing being restricted to sever cases and the toll can be potentially five times higher. “The number of cases reported could represent only about a fifth of the real numbers. …

Al-Arabia – Iran has temporarily freed about 85,000 prisoners, including political prisoners, a spokesman for its judiciary said on Tuesday, in response to the coronavirus epidemic.“Some 50 percent of those released are security-related prisoners … Also in the jails we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak,” said Gholamhossein Esmaili.On March 10, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights …

Radiofarda – An alleged claim by President Hassan Rouhani that Iran is about to overcome the coronavirus outbreak has led to public criticism and denials. His adviser Hesamoddin Ashna was quick to deny reports that Rouhani claimed Iran has left behind the peak of the coronavirus outbreak. Ashena insisted that these reports “utterly distorted” the president’s comment and added that …

Al-Monitor – Iranian officials have so far resisted calls for mandatory quarantine of areas with high infections of COVID-19. Instead, authorities have shut down schools and mosques and have asked residents to stay home. With the Nowruz (New Year) holiday approaching March 21 and most offices closed for two weeks, officials have asked Iranians to not travel during this time as they normally do. …

Radiofarda – By gathering data from dispersed official comments by provincial authorities and local news agencies Radio Farda has been able to confirm that at least 1,300 have so far died of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran and at least 32,000 have been admitted to hospitals in 30 provinces out of the 31 provinces of the country. The data these officials …