Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.

RFL/RE – The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) says that at least three political activists in Tehran’s Evin prison have joined imprisoned human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh’s hunger strike demanding freedom for all political prisoners. Sotoudeh’s hunger strike was launched after Iranian judicial officials announced the temporary release of 85,000 inmates to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, which …

VOA – Iraqi President Barham Salih’s choice of former Najaf Governor Adnan Zurfi to form a new government is meeting opposition from the country’s divided Shiite political camp, along with the country’s main power broker, Iran.   Zurfi, who has 30 days to put together a Cabinet, is facing what some analysts see as insurmountable odds.   Despite opposition to Zurfi’s …

Amnesty – Responding to the announcement by the Iranian authorities that pardons will be granted to prisoners convicted of “security” offences who have a five-year prison sentence or less, and that those who have been granted leave in recent weeks will not be returned to prison, Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Research and Advocacy Director, said: …

CHRI – Stand with Healthcare Workers Battling COVID-19 March 18, 2020 — The Center for Human Rights in Iran stands in solidarity with the people of Iran during this time of great national trauma and suffering, and sends a message of hope and strength with the arrival of the Persian New Year. As Iranian families remember the beautiful traditions of …

Al-Monitor – “A good year ahead can be seen in a good spring,” goes a popular Persian proverb. The idea might ring true enough for Iranians looking back at the Persian year 1398, which comes to a close March 20. “Despite the problems that our enemy was determined to cause it, our nation managed to end the year in triumph,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech …