United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
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Open Letter to His Excellency, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
1 His Excellency Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran The Office of the Supreme Leader Tehran Province, Tehran, District 11, Islamic Republic of Iran 17 February 2021 Joint open letter to His Excellency, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Your Excellency, We, the undersigned, write to you to express our grave concern over the arbitrary imprisonment of Dr Reza Eslami in Tehran’s Evin Prison. Dr Eslami’s case is illustrative of the ongoing clampdown against the legal and academic professions in Iran. On Monday 15 February 2021, 58 countries launched the International Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations1, characterizing such arbitrary detention as a standing violation of international law. The case against Dr Eslami is an emblematic assault on this rules-based international order. On 7 February 2021,2 Dr Reza Eslami, an Iranian-Canadian human rights and environmental law professor at Beheshti University,3 was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court after being charged with ‘cooperating with a hostile state.’4 The case against Dr Eslami is devoid of any credible evidence and derives from spurious charges to begin with. We believe that this case is based on his participation in a training course on the rule of law in the Czech Republic in 2020, funded by a United States-based non-government organisation (NGO). Dr Eslami has refuted the charges as baseless, stating that his academic work was free of ‘political, security and foreign- relations issues’5 . -
Opinions Adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at Its Eighty-Fifth Session, 12–16 August 2019
A/HRC/WGAD/2019/33 Advance Edited Version Distr.: General 9 September 2019 Original: English Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-fifth session, 12–16 August 2019 Opinion No. 33/2019 concerning Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee (Islamic Republic of Iran) 1. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was established in resolution 1991/42 of the Commission on Human Rights. In its resolution 1997/50, the Commission extended and clarified the mandate of the Working Group. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 60/251 and Human Rights Council decision 1/102, the Council assumed the mandate of the Commission. The Council most recently extended the mandate of the Working Group for a three-year period in its resolution 33/30. 2. In accordance with its methods of work (A/HRC/36/38), on 29 March 2019, the Working Group transmitted to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran a communication concerning Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee. The Government replied to the communication on 24 June 2019. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 3. The Working Group regards deprivation of liberty as arbitrary in the following cases: (a) When it is clearly impossible to invoke any legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty (as when a person is kept in detention after the completion of his or her sentence or despite an amnesty law applicable to him or her) (category I); (b) When the deprivation of liberty results -
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed*,**
A/HRC/28/70 Advance Unedited Version Distr.: General 12 March 2015 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-eighth session Agenda item 4 Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed*,** Summary In the present report, the fourth to be submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to Council resolution 25/24, the Special Rapporteur highlights developments in the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran since his fourth interim report submitted to the General Assembly (A/68/503) in October 2013. The report examines ongoing concerns and emerging developments in the State’s human rights situation. Although the report is not exhaustive, it provides a picture of the prevailing situation as observed in the reports submitted to and examined by the Special Rapporteur. In particular, and in view of the forthcoming adoption of the second Universal Periodic Review of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it analysis these in light of the recommendations made during the UPR process. * Late submission. ** The annexes to the present report are circulated as received, in the language of submission only. GE.15- A/HRC/28/70 Contents Paragraphs Page I. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1-5 3 II. Methodology ........................................................................................................... 6-7 4 III. Cooperation -
General Assembly Distr.: General 14 August 2017
United Nations A/72/322 General Assembly Distr.: General 14 August 2017 Original: English Seventy-second session Item 73 (c) of the provisional agenda* Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Note by the Secretary-General** The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the General Assembly the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 34/23. * A/72/150. ** The present report was submitted after the deadline as a result of consultations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. 17-13925 (E) 230817 *1713925* A/72/322 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Summary During its thirty-third session, the Human Rights Council appointed Asma Jahangir as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The present report outlines the activities carried out by the Special Rapporteur since the issuance of her first report to the Council (A/HRC/34/65), examines ongoing issues and presents some of the most recent and pressing developments in the area of human rights in the country. Contents Page I. Introduction ................................................................... 3 II. Charter on Citizens’ Rights ....................................................... 4 III. Civil and political rights ......................................................... 4 A. Right to take part in the conduct of public affairs ................................ 4 B. Rights to freedom of expression, opinion, information and the press ................. 6 C. -
Download Information from the Internet
IRAN SUBMISSION TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE FOR THE 103RD SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE (17 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER 2011) Amnesty International Publications First published in 2011 by Amnesty International Publications International Secretariat Peter Benenson House 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW United Kingdom www.amnesty.org © Amnesty International Publications 2011 Index: MDE 13/081/2011 Original Language: English Printed by Amnesty International, International Secretariat, United Kingdom All rights reserved. This publication is copyright, but may be reproduced by any method without fee for advocacy, campaigning and teaching purposes, but not for resale. The copyright holders request that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. For copying in any other circumstances, or for reuse in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, prior written permission must be obtained from the publishers, and a fee may be payable. To request permission, or for any other inquiries, please contact [email protected] Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. -
UPR Iran 2019
Submission by: Front Line Defenders – The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Related to: Islamic Republic of Iran UPR Session: 34th session (Oct-Nov 2019) Submitted: 29 March 2019 Front Line Defenders (www.frontlinedefenders.org) is an international NGO based in Ireland with special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). Founded in 2001, Front Line Defenders has particular expertise on the issue of security and protection of human rights defenders and works to promote the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders) adopted by General Assembly resolution 53/144 of 9 December 1998. In 2018 Front Line Defenders was awarded the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights. The following submission has been prepared based on information received from independent human rights defenders (HRDs) in Iran. This submission covers the situation of human rights defenders in Iran between 2014 and 2019. Contact person: Ed O’Donovan, Head of Protection, [email protected] 1 Summary of Main Concerns 1. Front Line Defenders regrets that since its last UPR review in 2014, human rights defenders (HRDs), including women human rights defenders (WHRDs), in Iran continue to be subjected to severe persecution and reprisals as a result of their legitimate work. Draconian restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement of HRDs continue to be prevalent. HRDs continue to face harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention. -
Joint Communication to the UN Commission on the Status of Women
CSW Communications Procedure Human Rights Section UN Women 220 East 42nd Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10017 USA Joint Communication to the UN Commission on the Status of Women The Intensifying Persecution and Prosecution of Women Human Rights Defenders in Iran The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR) is a unique international human rights organization uniting parliamentarians, scholars, jurists, human rights defenders, NGOs, and students in the pursuit of justice, inspired by and anchored in Raoul Wallenberg’s humanitarian legacy – how one person with the compassion to care and the courage to act can confront evil, prevail, and transform history. The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, it was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), an autonomous and financially independent entity, works to promote, protect, and enforce human rights under a just rule of law, and to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide. PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. -
Women in Pursuit of Justice
WOMEN IN PURSUIT OF JUSTICE Arbitrary trends and illegal proceedings victimizing female political prisoners in Iran A Special Report by the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran JANUARY 2019 Table of Contents Introduction Introduction 1 ver since the fanatic mullahs’ rise to power private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, in 1979, many dissidents have been facing practice, worship and observance”. Incarceration for exercising the right to peaceful protest 2 Eimprisonment, torture, and executions. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Violent Arbitrary Arrests 4 The main Iranian opposition group, People’s Rights also states that no person shall be subjected Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), has to arbitrary arrest. Article 9 of the covenant states, Interrogation, torture, and other forms of cruel treatment 6 reported over 120,000 of its members executed, “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of Solitary confinement and isolation 8 one-third of whom are estimated to be women. person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest Prevention of visitations and phone calls 9 The notorious massacre of 1988 carried out on or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty Khomeini’s fatwa (decree), claimed around 30,000 except on such grounds and in accordance with such Judicial proceedings and illegal measures 10 lives over the few months of summer that year. procedure as are established by law.” Depriving prisoners of medical care 14 Incarceration of political opponents and human Other international laws discourage issuing prison Hunger strike 18 rights activists and repression of all forms of dissent sentences for women due to their roles as mothers comprise the predominant theme of the Iranian and caregivers. -
'We Are Ordered to Crush You'
‘We are ordered to crush you’ ExpanDIng rEprEssIon oF DIssEnt In Iran amnesty international is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations. first published in 2012 by amnesty international Ltd peter Benenson house 1 easton street London Wc1x 0dW united Kingdom © amnesty international 2012 index: Mde 13/002/2012 english original language: english printed by amnesty international, international secretariat, united Kingdom all rights reserved. this publication is copyright, but may be reproduced by any method without fee for advocacy, campaigning and teaching purposes, but not for resale. the copyright holders request that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. for copying in any other circumstances, or for reuse in other publications, or for translation or adaptation, prior written permission must be obtained from the publishers, and a fee may be payable. to request permission, or for any other inquiries, please contact [email protected] Cover photo : cars circle a protest in tehran called by opposition leaders in support of the people of egypt and tunisia, 14 february 2011. the protests were violently repressed by security forces, who killed at least two men and arrested hundreds. opposition leaders Mir hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have been held in unofficial house arrest since making their call. -
Siamak & Baquer Namazi
Perseus Strategies 1700 K St. NW, Suite 825 Washington, D.C. 20006 Jared Genser Managing Director [email protected] T +1 202.466.3069 M +1 202.320.4135 VIA EMAIL [email protected] August 28, 2018 Mr. Diego García-Sayán Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers c/o Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office at Geneva 8-14 Avenue de la Paix 1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland RE: Violation of the Right to An Impartial and Independent Judiciary by the Government of Iran in the Case of Baquer and Siamak Namazi Dear Mr. García-Sayán, We are writing to request action on behalf of our clients, Baquer Namazi and his son, Siamak Namazi, who have been arbitrarily detained by the Government of Iran for over two years. In October 2016, Judge Abolqasem Salavati, head of the 15th Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, violated the Namazis’ right to an independent and impartial judiciary by convicting them of criminal charges for political reasons. This violation is ongoing, as they remain imprisoned on those charges today. A year ago, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted Opinion No. 49/2017, finding the deprivation of liberty of both Namazis was arbitrary an in violation of international law.1 The political influence on and political nature of the Namazis’ case is evident from the total lack of a legal basis for the charges, as well as the state sponsored media smear campaigns. The Namazis were convicted of being agents of a “hostile foreign government” – the United States – yet Iran has repeatedly (and recently) reaffirmed the validity of the Treaty of Amity between the two countries, which enshrines their “firm and enduring . -
Briefing on Individuals Detained in Iran, in Violation of Their Human Right to Freedom of Religion Or Belief and Free Expression
Last updated 27 April 2020 Briefing on individuals detained in Iran, in violation of their human right to freedom of religion or belief and free expression The Iranian government has arrested and sentenced to death countless human rights defenders, peaceful activists, journalists and bloggers over the years on the basis of posts made online which are found to insult Islam or are more broadly critical of the Iranian regime. Under normal circumstances, those imprisoned for crimes of conscience in Iran face appalling prison conditions. Instances of torture and denial of subsequent medical care are commonplace.1 Many of those in prison feel they have no option but to undertake life-threatening hunger strikes in protest.2 In light of the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Iran, the threats to these individuals are even more pronounced. We seek to highlight the plight of the following detained individuals who we understand are not amongst the 100,000 inmates who have been granted clemency or temporary release by the Iranian government during the COVID-19 outbreak.3 All states are obliged by international law to protect the right to life of citizens, and to avoid preventable deaths when individuals are placed in their custody. International law is clear that aside from being deprived of liberty, people in prison have the same rights as everyone else. The Human Rights Committee stresses in General Comment 21 that: respect for the dignity of [persons deprived of their liberty] must be guaranteed under the same conditions as for that of free persons. Persons deprived of their liberty enjoy all the rights set forth in the Covenant, subject to the restrictions that are unavoidable in a closed environment. -
Campaign for Atena Daemi and Iraee Golrokh
The Benenson Society Two Iranian female dissidents, Atena Daemi and Iraee Golrokh Ebrahim, who have been refusing food since February 3, 2018, when they were beaten by prison guards and moved to Gharchak Prison in Varamin, south of Tehran, from Evin Prison located north of the capital city. In an open letter written on February 3, a copy of which was smuggled out of prison, Iraee and Daemi wrote: “We were beaten and moved to Gharchak Prison without any explanation, despite the fact that by law, we should serve our sentences in Evin Prison’s Women’s Ward. The sentences against us did not include exile to another prison.” The prison is believed to hold more than 1,000 female prisoners convicted of various crimes, including violent offenses. The prison has a reputation for poor sanitation, overcrowding and under-resourced medical staff. Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee(left) and Atena Daemi Atena Daemi is serving a seven-year prison sentence since November 2016 solely for her peaceful human rights activities opposing the death penalty, criticizing the Islamic Republic of Iran on Facebook and condemning the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners in Iran, and also participating in protests against executions, and sending information about abuses of political prisoners to human rights groups based outside Iran. Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee is sentenced to six years in prison for writing a fictional story about the cruel practice of stoning which has not been published, yet. Her husband, civil rights activist Arash Sadeghi, is serving a 19-year sentence in Rajaee Prison after being transferred there in October 2017 from Evin Prison.