Human rights

alarabiya – A German-Iranian woman jailed for rights activism in Iran has been granted a medical furlough to get treatment for back and neck problems, her daughter told AFP on Friday. Nahid Taghavi, 67, was arrested in October 2020 after fighting for human rights in Iran for years, especially women’s rights and freedom of expression, according to the rights group …

rferl.org – A whistle-blower has been sentenced to two years in prison and banned from media-related activities after he revealed details of a controversial shopping trip by the family of Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Activist Vahid Ashtari, who published the report on the extravagant shopping spree that triggered sharp criticism since it came at a time when many …

iran-hrm – Yunes Al-Sarakhi, a poet and political prisoner in Shiban prison in Ahvaz is in serious health condition after a year of imprisonment. Still, the prison authorities have denied him medical treatment. He has breathing problems and pain in his ribs and chest however prison authorities have denied him medical leave and access to medical treatment. Prisoners in Ward …

rferl.org – Prominent Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Mohammad Ali Dadkhah has been arrested and sent to prison to serve a sentence he received more than a decade ago for allegedly attempting to overthrow the ruling Islamic system. Lawyer Mustafa Nili wrote on Twitter on July 20 that Dadkhah had been transferred to the notorious Evin prison to serve …

rferl.org – The Tehran Police Department has announced disciplinary action against a police team that arrested a girl for disregarding mandatory hijab rules even as her mother pleaded with them to release her child because she was sick. A video of the arrest by a morality police unit went viral on social networks on July 19, sparking angry reactions as …

rferl.org – A court in Tehran says acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi must serve a six-year sentence he was handed more than a decade ago for supporting anti-government demonstrations. “Panahi was sentenced in 2010 to a total of six years in prison…and therefore he was entered into the Evin detention center to serve his sentence,” judiciary spokesman Masud Setayeshi told …

uscirf.gov – Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report: Iran Country Update – This country update reports on widespread religious repression in Iran. Baha’is, Christian converts, Sunnis, and Gonabadi Sufis in particular continue to face ongoing violations of their freedom of religion or belief. The Iranian government continues its …

rferl.org – A woman has been arrested after a video of her arguing with another woman who was enforcing rules on wearing a head scarf on a bus in Tehran went viral. The woman, identified as Sepideh Rashno, a 28-year-old writer and artist, was confronted by a woman who warned her she would send video to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards …

iran-hrm – The state security forces have arrested at least 16 people at protests over the drying up of Lake Urmia which was once the world’s second largest salt lake. Reports say dozens have also been summoned by the authorities. Rahim Jahanbakhsh, the police chief of Iran’s West Azerbaijan Province, said on July 17 that several people had been arrested …

radiozamaneh – A recent HRANA report claims a Dutch citizen is imprisoned in Iran. According to HRANA, the Iranian Human Rights Activists news agency, “Kees Lunenburg” has reportedly been sentenced to five years in prison for the alleged charge of “collusion against national security.” In an email to the Dutch foreign ministry, Zamaneh asked for confirmation of any Dutch nationals …