Human rights

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Sarajolhagh Sedighi, a Pakistani national who was sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for “participation in murder,” was executed in Shiraz Central Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a Pakistani man was executed in Shiraz Central Prison on July 24. His identity has been established as 45-year-old Sarajolhagh Sedighi who was sentenced to qisas for “participation in murder.” …

Al-Monitor – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed support for the country’s enforcement of strict hijab laws.  Speaking about the issues of women and hijab in televised remarks today, Khamenei said, “These issues were present at the beginning of the Islamic Revolution as well, and lately, with using hijab as an excuse, the failed attempt is being repeated.” He continued, …

Shabtabnews – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a new report titled “Religious Propaganda in Iran.” Religious Propaganda in Iran – This report details efforts by Iran’s government to spread misinformation and cultivate derogatory public opinion about religious minorities. The report identifies major traditional and social media outlets responsible for disseminating this messaging, and reviews the …

RFL/RE – A new crackdown by Iranian authorities on women who violate the country’s “hijab and chastity” law has been widely criticized, even by figures within the clerical establishment. Iran’s notorious morality police have become increasingly violent in enforcing the mandatory hijab. In response, women have become increasingly defiant. Abdolhadi Mar’ashi, an influential cleric in the holy city of Mashhad, …

RFL/RE – The organization of cemeteries for Tehran Province says it has covered graves that feature images of the deceased not wearing the hijab, as authorities continue to widen their crackdown on a government decree on head scarves. Saeed Ghazanfari, the head of Behesht-e Zahra, the largest cemetery in Iran, said that 98 tombstones that had images of women without a proper …

Iranwire – The Iranian news website Emtedad reports that environmentalist Morad Tahbaz has been released on bail from Evin Prison. Tahbaz, who holds British-Iranian-American triple nationality, was detained during a mass arrest of conservationists in early 2018. He was later sentenced to 10 years in prison on opaque charges of “contacts with the US government” and “acting against national security”. The London-born 66-year-old was …

Iranwire – The dual-national prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd has denied all wrongdoing in the sixth session of his trial at Branch 15 of Iran’s Revolutionary Court. The 67-year-old father-of-two was abducted while on a layover in Dubai in August 2020. Sharmahd, a German citizen and resident of the United States since 2003, is accused by the Islamic Republic of “corruption on …

Iran-HRM – The Islamic Republic of Iran has responded to questions from the United Nations of the death of jailed poet Baktash Abtin by claiming he supported terrorists, documents seen by IranWire show. The 48-year-old filmmaker and man of letters died of Covid-19 on January 8 this year. He had been jailed in September 2020 along with two other senior members of …

Iran-HRM – The Director General of Airports in the southwestern province of Fars said women with “improper hijab” will be denied entry into Shiraz Airport and its terminals. During a meeting on July 25, Gholamreza Karimaghaie said that necessary arrangements have been made with the judicial authority in this regard, adding that the ban on “improperly veiled” female passengers from …

Iran-HRM – Latest reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj indicate that Arjang Davoudi is at risk of losing sight in both eyes. The 69-year-old political prisoner has been suffering from cataracts for two years without medical treatment. Now, Arjang Davoudi is at risk of losing sight in both eyes. Doctors say he needs urgent surgery, but Gohardasht prison authorities have …