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Iran Human Rights Defenders Report 2019/20
IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS REPORT 2019/20 Table of Contents Definition of terms and concepts 4 Introduction 7 LAWYERS Amirsalar Davoudi 9 Payam Derafshan 10 Mohammad Najafi 11 Nasrin Sotoudeh 12 CIVIL ACTIVISTS Zartosht Ahmadi-Ragheb 13 Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khanbeigi 14 Shahnaz Akmali 15 Atena Daemi 16 Golrokh Ebrahimi-Irayi 17 Farhad Meysami 18 Narges Mohammadi 19 Mohammad Nourizad 20 Arsham Rezaii 21 Arash Sadeghi 22 Saeed Shirzad 23 Imam Ali Popular Student Relief Society 24 TEACHERS Esmaeil Abdi 26 Mahmoud Beheshti-Langroudi 27 Mohammad Habibi 28 MINORITY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS Mary Mohammadi 29 Zara Mohammadi 30 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation 31 Workers rights ACTIVISTS Marzieh Amiri 32 This report has been prepared by Iran Human Rights (IHR) Esmaeil Bakhshi 33 Sepideh Gholiyan 34 Leila Hosseinzadeh 35 IHR is an independent non-partisan NGO based in Norway. Abolition of the Nasrin Javadi 36 death penalty, supporting human rights defenders and promoting the rule of law Asal Mohammadi 37 constitute the core of IHR’s activities. Neda Naji 38 Atefeh Rangriz 39 Design and layout: L Tarighi Hassan Saeedi 40 © Iran Human Rights, 2020 Rasoul Taleb-Moghaddam 41 WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISTS Raha Ahmadi 42 Raheleh Ahmadi 43 Monireh Arabshahi 44 Yasaman Aryani 45 Mojgan Keshavarz 46 Saba Kordafshari 47 Nedaye Zanan Iran 48 www.iranhr.net Recommendations 49 Endnotes 50 : @IHRights | : @iranhumanrights | : @humanrightsiran Definition of Terms & Concepts PRISONS Evin Prison: Iran’s most notorious prison where Wards 209, 240 and 241, which have solitary cells called security“suites” and are controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS): Ward 209 Evin: dedicated to security prisoners under the jurisdiction of the MOIS. -
Cultures of Peace: the Hidden Elise Boulding Is a Noted American Sociologist and Pioneer in Side of History and the Peace Studies Movement
Building a Culture of Peace For the Children of the World This exhibit brings together the ideas of hundreds of people and organizations dedicated to finding a path to lasting peace. We hope that you will leave with renewed confidence that a culture of peace is possible— and a necessity for life on earth. Everything that is needed to build a culture of peace already exists in each of our hearts. As stated in the United Nations definition, a Culture of Peace is a set of values, attitudes, modes of behavior and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes and solving problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations. Barriers to Peace Environmental Isolationism “It is not the violence of a few Irresponsibility People can become frightened by the rising tide of internationalism. Some retreat to that scares me, Pollution and the destruction of the familiar places and customs and avoid natural environment require solutions encounters with “foreigners.” that go beyond national boundaries. it is the silence of the many.” Ignorance of other cultures and countries creates Global warming could cause 40 to 50 a narrow, distorted view of life and the world. percent of the world’s population to be Education is key to fostering global-minded —Martin Luther King, Jr. affected by insect-transmitted diseases individuals. such as malaria and dengue fever. Poverty Need is the root cause of many of the conflicts in the world. Where children are hungry, there can be no peace. 78% of Sub-Saharan Africans and 84% of South Asians live on less than $2 a day. -
New Voices, New Directions
at Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings May 29-31, 2012 • Doha, Qatar 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 www.brookings.edu/about/projects/islamic-world NEW VOICES, NEW DIRECTIONS at Brookings WELCOME Ahlan Wa Sahlan! On behalf of the Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World, housed within the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, we welcome you to the ninth annual U.S.- Islamic World Forum. In partnership with the State of Qatar, Brookings convenes this Fo- rum annually under the gracious auspices of H.R.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar. After a successful Forum convened for the first time in Washington, D.C. last year, we are pleased to be back in Doha. Last year, we met in the midst of the “Arab Awakening”—the dramatic changes that con- STEERING COMMITTEE tinue to transform the Middle East and North Africa. From Tunisia to Egypt to Yemen, ordinary citizens have made possible extraordinary political and social changes. This year, we examine the impact of, and continuing challenges posed by, these changes, not just for STEPHEN R. GRAND Fellow and Director the Arab world, but also for Muslim communities around the globe, including in South Project on U.S. Relations and Southeast Asia—as well as their strategic implications for the United States. with the Islamic World During our three days together, we have arranged a variety of formats for candid dialogue MARTIN INDYK and engagement: Vice President and Director -
Nowruz Action 2020
Nowruz Action کارزار نوروز new day”) is an ancient holiday celebrated on the first day of“) نوروز The Iranian holiday Nowruz spring in the northern hemisphere to welcome in the new year. On this Nowruz we want to remember several courageous prisoners of conscience and prisoners held for politically motivated reasons in Iran with Nowruz greetings. We ask you to send cards with simple Nowruz greetings You can say “thinking of you at Nowruz time” or نوروز مبارک ”such as “Nowruz mobarak “hoping you are well.” You may send a greeting in either English or Farsi (Persian) but please do not mention Amnesty International or specifics of the recipient’s case. Please also refrain from mentioning the political situation, human rights or U.S.-Iran relations. We suggest sending cards with pictures of landscapes, spring flowers or the like, in keeping with the spirit of the holiday and the message of hope and renewal. Please do not choose cards that have pictures of people, and please do not use cards that depict bottles of wine or other alcoholic beverages or gambling. Traditional Nowruz celebrations include the preparation of a Haft Sin table which literally means the seven s’s. Seven items beginning with the Persian letter Sin (equivalent to the English s) and which represent spring time are set out. To honor this tradition, this year Amnesty International has selected seven cases, prisoners of conscience and prisoners held for politically motivated reasons, who have been identified by Amnesty International as “individuals at risk” and are therefore targeted for intensified campaigning. -
European Development Days
2006 European Development Days 8 years of policy debates from the European Consensus to the post-2015 agenda /1 3 European Development Days 2006-2013 Eight years of policy debates from the European Consensus to the post-2015 agenda Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) Certain mobile telephone operators do not allow access to 00 800 numbers or these calls may be billed. More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014 Paper version ISBN 978-92-79-38970-2 doi: 10.2841/47722 PDF ISBN 978-92-79-38969-6 doi: 10.2841/47692 © European Union, 2014 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Printed in Belgium Printed on elemental chlorine-free bleached paper (ECF) European Development Days 2006-2013 Eight years of policy debates from the European Consensus to the post-2015 agenda Forward by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. This book has been published by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid in August 2014. European Commission FOREWORD by JOSÉ MANUEL BARROSO President of the European Commission I have always passionately believed in a Europe that I fought hard to preserve our high aid levels in our is open; a Europe that is committed to the values of multi-annual budget 2014-2020. In addition, my freedom, development and global solidarity. These Commission has stepped up special measures for the values have been central to the European project poorest, like the EUR 1 billion Food Facility or our ever since its inception and continue to inspire our strong support for the United Nation's Sustainable Union today. -
Nasrin Sotoudeh Has Been Sentenced to 38 Years in Prison and 148 Lashes After Two Grossly Unfair Trials
Third UA: 126/18 Index: MDE 13/0024/2019 Iran Date: 14 March 2019 URGENT ACTION 38 YEARS AND 148 LASHES FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS DEFENDER Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes after two grossly unfair trials. The charges against her stem solely from her peaceful human rights work, including defending women’s rights and her outspoken opposition to the death penalty. TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei C/o Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28 1209 Geneva, Switzerland Dear Mr Khamenei, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer and women’s rights defender, has been unjustly sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison and 148 lashes following two grossly unfair trials. I appeal to you to release her as she is a prisoner of conscience. On 9 February 2019, Nasrin Sotoudeh was informed by the office for the implementation of sentences in Tehran’s Evin prison, where she is jailed, that the verdict in her most recent court case had been issued. She was allowed to read the verdict, which convicted her on seven charges and sentenced her to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes. Her trial took place on 30 December 2018 before Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran in her absence. She has not been allowed access to her lawyer. Some of the charges against her are related to her opposition to forced hijab (veiling) laws, including “inciting corruption and prostitution” and “openly committing a sinful act…by appearing in public without a hijab”. -
Nobel Nomination 2017 Mairead Benjamin.Pages
The Peace People, 224 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6GE, Northern Ireland Phone: 0044 (0) 28 9066 346 Ema 16th January, 2017 Mr. Olav Njolstad, Secretary, Nobel Institute, Henrik Ibsens Gate 5l, N-0255 Oslo, Norway. Dear Mr. Njolstad, I write to nominate Medea Benjamin for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. Medea is the co-founder of the women-led peace group CODEPINK and the co-founder of the human rights group Global Exchange. While her anti-war work dates back to her high school years during the Vietnam War in the l960s and continued in Africa and Central America in the l970s and l980s her most important recent work has been in response to the 2001 9/11 attacks in the United States. When the Bush Administration responded to those attacks by invading Afghanistan, Medea took 9/11 family members to Afghanistan to meet with the innocent victims of US bombing, then brought the 9/11 families to Washington over and over again to lobby for a compensation fund for the Afghan victims, something they achieved in 2005. Determined to stop the invasion of Iraq, Medea cofounded, with Jodie Evans, the women’s peace group CODEPINK and began a 4-month daily vigil (including a one-month fast) in front of the White House. She was also a founder of the broad US-based coalition of l,500 groups called United for Peace and Justice that co-ordinated anti-war activities throughout the United States. Globally, she was one of the initiators of the 2002 World Social Forum call for a global day of action against the invasion of Iraq on February 15, 2003. -
LRWC 2020 Annual Report
ANNUAL REPORT 2020 1 January to 31 December 2020 OUR MISSION CONTENTS Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) is a Our Mission ................................................................... 1 committee of lawyers dedicated to promoting the rule LRWC Constitutions ..................................................... 2 of law and human rights internationally by: Highlights of 2020 ......................................................... 3 . Providing support to lawyers and other human 2000-2020: Honouring Gail Davidson ..................... 3 rights defenders whose rights, freedoms, or Executive Director’s Message ................................... 4 independence are threatened as a result of their human rights advocacy. LRWC Advocacy in 2020 ............................................. 5 . Conducting legal research and producing legal Welcome Developments............................................ 5 analyses of national and international laws and Countries of Concern (21 countries) ......................... 6 standards relevant to advocacy rights, the integrity LRWC and the United Nations ............................... 21 of legal systems, fair trial rights and the rule of Legal Research and Education .................................... 29 law. Publications ............................................................. 29 . Working in cooperation with other human rights Educational events and conferences ........................ 31 organizations. Nominations and awards ...................................... 32 . Engaging in legal -
Peace Negotiations in Middle East
6. Peace negotiations in the Middle East • The Middle East was the scene of five cases of negotiation that accounted for 12.5% of all processes in the world in 2020. • Problems in keeping the agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme afloat persisted throughout the year amidst high tension between Washington and Tehran. • In Yemen, there were mediation and facilitation initiatives to try to achieve a cessation of hostilities and attempts to implement prior agreements between the parties alongside constant escalations of violence. • The chronic impasse in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations persisted, with no prospects for dialogue after Netanyahu’s plan to formalise the annexation of occupied territories and Trump’s initiative for the region. • The rejection of plans proposed by Israel and the US in 2020 led to rapprochement between Fatah and Hamas and an agreement to hold presidential and legislative elections, although the differences between the parties were once again evident by the end of the year. • The complexity of the armed conflict in Syria had its correlation in the ceasefire and diplomatic initiatives, with a high role for regional and international actors in the negotiation schemes put in place. • Women’s groups in the region continued to demand greater participation in formal negotiations. In Syria and Yemen, they demanded ceasefires to reduce violence and face the COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter studies the main peace processes and negotiations in the Middle East during 2020. Firstly, the main characteristics and general trends on the negotiation processes in the region are presented. Secondly, the evolution of each different context during the year is analysed, including in relation to the gender, peace and security agenda. -
SAKHAROV PRIZE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER No. 1/2021
SAKHAROV PRIZE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER No. 1/2021 A wish for 2021 For many, 2020 has been a year of tragedies, fear, sadness and grief. Covid-19 has affected our lives terribly. Human rights and fundamental freedoms have come under heavy stress worldwide. It will need an unprecedented effort to reverse this trend. We proudly take up this challenge to keep the Sakharov Community a beacon of hope, optimism, and trust in a better future. We wish you all a healthy and peaceful New Year! Belarusian democratic opposition awarded Lithuania's Freedom Prize 18-12-2020: Lithuania’s parliament voted to award its annual Freedom Prize to the 2020 Sakharov Prize laureate, the Democratic Opposition in Belarus, as a symbol of support to their struggle against Lukashenko’s regime and their aspiration for freedom and democracy. The Lithuanian Parliament established the Freedom Prize in 2011 to honour individuals and organisations for their role in defending freedom and human rights in Eastern and Central European countries. Nasrin Sotoudeh leaves prison for short medical treatment 08-01-2021: 2012 Sakharov Prize laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh was allowed to leave prison for three days for medical treatment, her husband said. Nasrin suffers from chronic health issues, and was granted temporary releases for medical reasons in October and November 2020. Iran has faced international condemnation for its detention of lawyers and activists. At the October 2020 Human Rights Subcommittee meeting, Members of the European Parliament insisted on the EU stepping up efforts to secure Nasrin’s release. City of Brussels behind Saudi human rights defenders 25-01-2021: The City of Brussels adopted imprisoned Saudi defenders Sakharov Prize laureate 2015 Raif Badawi and Loujain Al-Hatloul. -
Current Affairs=10-07-2020
Current Affairs=10-07-2020 PM Modi Inaugurates Asia’s Largest Solar Power Project – Rewa Solar Project in Madhya Pradesh Asia’s largest Solar Power project: Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh is inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, through video conferencing. It reduces emission equivalent to 15 lakh tonne of carbon dioxide per year. i.The 750 MW ultra-solar power plant spread over 1,590 acres. ii.It comprises three solar generating units of 250MW each located on 500 hectare land inside the 1500 hectare solar plant. iii. It is a renewable energy project to supply energy to customers outside the state. Indian Navy Completes “Operation Samudra Setu” by repatriating 3992 Indian from 3 countries i.On May 5, 2020, Indian Navy has successfully completed its 55 days and 23,000 kilometers long ‘Operation Samudra Setu’, which was launched on May 5, 2020 as a part of the national effort to repatriate (bring back) Indian citizens from 3 countries of Maldives, Iran, and Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. ii.Under this operation 3,992 Indian citizens brought back to India, which was conducted by Indian Naval Ships (INS) Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks). iii.This operation was undertaken by the Indian Navy in close coordination with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and various other agencies of the Government of India (GoI) and State Governments. Mean Average Global Temperature could rise by 1.5° Celsius in 5 years: WMO i.The United Nations (UN) weather Agency, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in its “Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2020-2024” has forecasted that the annual mean global temperature is likely to be at least 1° Celsius above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) in each of the coming five years (2020-2024) and there is a 20% chance that it will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) in at least one year. -
WAI Background Paper 2011 Final.Pub
Forty-First Annual World Affairs Institute November 18, 2011 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Briefing Paper The World Affairs Institute is a Community Service Project of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and Rotary International World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh 2640 BNY Mellon Center • 500 Grant Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2510 412-281-7970 • fax 412-281-1795 email: [email protected] • www.worldpittsburgh.org © 2011 World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh The Arab Awakening: A Call for Change in the Middle East and Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy CONTENTS Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…..1 A Survey of American Interests in the Middle East Since 1945…………………………………………………………………….2 Underlying Causes of Revolt..……………..……….……………………………………………………….………………………….4 Revolts Across the Arab Region………….……..…………………………………………………………………….……………….6 Tunisia.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………....6 Egypt..…………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………..…….....6 Yemen...…………………………………………………………………………..……………………………..……………...7 Saudi Arabia...…………………………………………………………..……………………………..……………………….8 Key Articles from The New York Times ………………………………………………………..…………………………..10 Spotlights on the Impact of Social Media and Women Protestors on the Arab Awakening……..………………..…………...12 American Foreign Policy Consequences……………………………………………………………………………..…...………...14 Map from The Economist May 10, 2011. Introduction The Middle East, locally dubbed “the mother of the world” for its contributions to global culture and history, today exhibits