Focous on : Political prisoners & March 2,2012 Ninth Parliamentary Election !

Cartoon by :NIK Kowsar

From now until March 2,2012 the ninth (Majles) parliamentary election, we have less than three months. Iran Watch Canada will focus on two major issues ,one ,the ninth parliamentary election on March 2,2012 and 2nd, it will focus on political prisoners including the house arrest of Mir Hossein Musavi ,His wife Zahra Rahnavard and Mehdi Karoubi the prominent green movement leaders.
Iranian people from all walk of life must come together in a united national action to say a BIG NO to the "made up" parliamentyary election and must at the same time, clearly and loudly demand for immedite and unconditional release of Mir Hossein Musavi , Zahra Rahnavard , Mehdi Karoubi and all other political prtisoners from the Islamic Republic prisons.
Forward towards these goals!

Background (Preamble):
Arya Aramnejad is a 26 year-old Iranian artist, singer and composer. He was arrested for singing his famous song "Ali Barkhiz" (O Ali raise), composed after the Ashura uprising. He reportedly spent two months of his detention in solitary confinement. The Iranian government has charged him with acting against national security due to releasing the song "Ali Barkhiz". During his most recent court hearing, he briefly described some of the physical and psychological tortures he was subjected to in prison. These abuses included being severely beaten upon asking for medical attention for his heart condition, being photographed naked, being forced to walk on floors covered with the blood of a prisoner with AIDS who had committed suicide. Mr. Aramnejad also received death threats from the Iranian revolutionary guards. Mr. Aramnejad’s wife, who has had no political affiliation with any organization, has been threatened with arrest in the event that Mr. Aramnejad refuses to comply with the government’s requests. Mr. Aramnejad has been released on bail and is facing heavy charges by the Iranian officials.

Update: Several others songs of Arya Aramnejad's have become available since his release from prison. All of which can be viewed in a Facebook page set up to promote his ideas and his freedom. You can become a fan by following the link below: http://www.facebook.com/FreeArya

Petition:

We the undersigned request the following:

1) Freedom of Arya Aramnejad and that all charges against him be dropped immediately. 2) The Iranian government must abide by the Charter of Human Rights by the United Nation, in which Iran is a member state.3) Immediate release of all human rights activists, protesters, students, political prisoners and prisoners of belief and conscience currently being held in prisons in Iran and are subjected to rape and tortured by the Iranian government.

http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39475.html

Arya Aramnejad Ali Barkhiz (ENGLISH SUBTITLES).Arya Aramnejad an Iranian singer, songwriter and music composer is in prison.Why this young man?

Year 2011 ....

2011 was a year full of events not only in Iran but also eleswhere in the world particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
In Iran:
It was the year of huge financial Embezzelement.
It was the year of more isolation for the Islamic Republic in Iran.
It was the year of more sanction against Islamic Republic and its officials.
It was the year of more killing by judiciary power machine headed by Mohammad Sadegh Larijani.
It was the year of incapability of (Majles) parliament towards Governments violations.
It was the year of more political-economic bankruptcy.
It was the year that more divisions surfaced among officials and more forces withdraw themselves from regime.
It was a year that regime officials feared the most from another green movement uprising.
For Iranian people:
It was a year that Musavi and Karoubi and their wifes were arrested and went under house arrest.
It was a year of hard heat economical pressure on their daily lives.
It was a year of patience and anticipation of yet another large green movement uprising.
For the world:
It was a year that rang the bell against dictators.
It was the awakening year for the people of Middle East and North Africa.
It was the year of poverty vs capital.
It was the year that dictators everywhere in the world feared most.
2011 is a year that has started great progressive movement around the world and its agenda is unfinishes which seems will continue into the year 2012.
Hope "we all" have Happy 2012 !

May you have a colourful 2012

Happy Holidays & Best Wishes for 2012 !

Sham,Syria -Friday De.23,2011

Iranian political prisoners in"Gohardasht" prison-Video taken by a green movement supporter. Isa Saharkheiz,Masoud Bastan ,Tavakoli ,Reza Nafe-ei &...

[BWNS, 19 Dec. 2011] UNITED NATIONS — Reflecting the international community’s increasing intolerance for human rights violations, the UN General Assembly today condemned Iran for oppressing its citizens.
By a vote of 89 to 30 with 64 abstentions, the Assembly approved a resolution that expressed “deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations” in the country.
The vote came after Iran attempted a “no-action motion,” aimed at blocking the resolution by calling for adjournment of the debate. The motion failed by a vote of 100 against, 35 in favor, with 42 abstentions.
Such resolutions on human rights in Iran have come before the Assembly virtually every year since 1992, and this year’s measure – already approved by the General Assembly’s Third Committee last month – passed by the widest margin yet seen.

Read more:

http://www.iranpresswatch.org/

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40788&Cr=iran&Cr1=

Pictures: 1-Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeei 2- Mahmoudreza Khavari 3-khavari's million Dollar home in Toronto

Latest on Financial embezzelement.

Fars News Agency :

In a press conference on Monday about $ 3 Billion financial embezzlement, Mr. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei the spokesperson for the Judiciary power said: It is certain that Mr. Mahmoud Reza Khavari ( The general manager of Melli Bank in Iran ,who escaped to Canada) will not return to Iran , therefore, we are going to follow this issue through International police force ( Interpol) and this has been done and interpol is looking into his arrest.In Response to a question that; how many MP's have been arrested in this regard, said: Four member of the parliament has been arrested.

Corruption in the Islamic Republic under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad government reach to a boiling point and people make joke about this Government and the entire officials in the Islamic Republic. Just last week when Ahmadinejad attended in the northern city of Sari , a factory worker welcomed him to their city by throughing his shoes at him. According to Mr. Ejeei the spokesperson to Judiciary Power ,the worker is arrested.

Link:

http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13900928001093

UN , UN human rights, European parliament, International criminal court, Human rights organizations all over the world ....Do not stay silent

Cry for the people of Middle East & N. Africa ,Iran, Syria, Egypy ,Bahrain, Saudi Arabia...Cry for them & For their love for freedom . Support them...

Universities are alive and students continue to fight back in Iran!

Recently Hossein Shariatmadari the managing editor of "Kayhan" newspaper and the representative of Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in Kayhan , attended in Shahid Abbaspour University and Green students protested on his presence.Hossein Shariatmadari in known for his involvement in the security organizations. He is also known to be an interrogator and torturer in the Islamic Republic regime prisons.Shariatmadari is one of the strong supporter of radical islamists including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi , Ayatollah Ahmad Janati, Ayatollah Khatami, Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi and so many others.

Link:

http://news.gooya.com/didaniha/archives/2011/12/132981.php

The International Center for Human Rights (ICHR) announced today that Mr. Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, Iranian political leader and prisoner, is receiving a prestigious human rights award from ICHR for his human rights activities. Five other prisoners also won the awards in the realms of student, labour, culture, human rights and legal advocacy. The International Center for Human Rights presented the human rights awards to prominent activists on behalf of the award winners at its first annual gala on Sunday December 11, 2011.

Heshmatollah Tabarzadi was the recipient of the first annual Human Rights Award of the International Center for Human Rights. The CEO of Tirgan International festival, Mehrdad Ariannejad, accepted Heshmatollah Tabarzadi’s award on his behalf at the first annual gala on Sunday December 11. Mr. Tabarzadi has endured more than 16 years of physical and psychological abuse in the Islamic Republic’s prisons and before its courts.

“Winners of the 2011 awards are among activists who have made significant efforts to resist dictatorship and injustice,” said Hassan Zarezadeh Ardeshir, ICHR’s director. “The selection process was not easy when there are many prominent Iranian activists currently behind bars. However, the ICHR eight member selection team narrowed down the list of nominees to five names who received glass awards and one name who won the crystal award along with cash prize.”

Nasrin Sotoudeh, imprisoned prominent human rights lawyer, won ICHR’s award in the realm of human rights advocate. Miss Fereshteh Molavi, Ira nian human rights activist and writer, received the award on Ms. Sotoudeh’s behalf.

Majid Tavakoli, imprisoned prominent student leader, won ICHR’s award in the realm of student activitism. Mr. Salman Sima, a former student activist received Majid’s award on his behalf.

Reza Shahabi, imprisoned labor activist, won ICHR’s award in the realm of labour rights. Mr. Mehdi Kuhestani, a labour activist, received the award on Mr. Shahabi’s behalf.

Kouhyar Goudarzi, imprisoned human rights defender, won ICHR’s award in the realm of human rights defender. Mr. Hassan Zerehi , a journalist and human rights defender, received Kuhyar’s award on his behalf.

Ramn Parchami , an actor, won the ICHR award in the field of art. Mr. Soheil Parsa a prominent artistic director and writer received this award on Ramin Parchami’s behalf.

The International Center for Human Rights in Iran’s first annual human rights day gala was held in Toronto on Sunday December 11, 2011 at the Royal Banquet Hall. At the event, leading human rights figures such as Mr. Mohammad Mostafaie, human rights lawyer, Mr. Ahmad Batebi, human rights defender, Mr. Morteza Abdolalian fron Canadian Journalist for Free Expression, Aubrey Harris, from Amnesty International in Canada, Mr. Kaveh Shahrouz, Lawyer and former state department’s human rights advisor, spoke on the deplorable human rights situation in Iran. Also messages from MPP Dr. Reza Moridi and Canadian Parliament member, Mr. Paul Dewar, were read at the event.

Background information:

Nasrin Sotoudeh is a prominent Iranian lawyer and human rights activist. She is currently held in the notorious Evin prison, and sentenced to six years in prison and banned from practicing law for ten years. Her crime is defending her clients who are mainly human rights activists arrested and abused following the June 2009 Presidential election. She has also defended numerous child execution cases.

Nasrin Sotoudeh is a member of the Defenders of Human Rights, the One Million Signatures Campaign to Change Discriminatory Laws Against Women, and the Society for Protecting the Rights of the Child.

Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested in September 2010, and has endured the torture of long durations in solitary confinement. Since her arrest, Nasrin has launched multiple hunger strikes to protest the illegal behaviour of the Iranian authorities.

Nasrin Sotoudeh is the recipient of the 2011 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. The resilient lawyer is one of ICHR’s award winners for her strong defence against human rights violations in Iran

Majid Tavakoli is a prominent student leader activist who was majoring in shipbuilding at Tehran’s Amirkabir University of Technology. He is currently held in the horrific Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. Majid Tavakoli was violently arrested on December 7, 2009, following a post-election speech he had delivered on National Student Day that criticized high-ranking regime officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He was transferred to the notorious Evin prison, and endured long stays in solitary confinement under severe psychological and physical torture. The student leader resisted the illegal behaviour of the Iranian authorities by launching multiple prison hunger strikes which have led to his deteriorating health, including reports of abdominal bleeding in 2010.

The student leader was first arrested in 2007 for protesting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presence at the university. Consequently, he was held behind bars for 15 months and tortured. He was arrested for the second time in March 2009 during a memorial ceremony for Mehdi Bazargan. Majid endured 115 days in solitary confinement at Evin prison, but was eventually released after posting a pricey bail. Majid is a brave student leader who has served as an inspiration for people around the world, and has kept the hope of victory alive in the hearts of Iranians. He is honoured as ICHR’s award winner for his persistent efforts in speaking out in defense of the Iranian civil society.

Reza Shahabi is a labour activist and a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company. In June 2010, four security agents arrested Reza Shahabi at his workplace, and transferred him to Evin prison. Since then, 18 months ago, Reza Shahabi has been held in a state of prison limbo, meaning he has not yet been issued a prison sentence. Reza Shahabi has launched multiple hunger strikes behind bars. His most recent hunger strike was launched 16 days ago in protest to his uncertain situation and the unbearable prison conditions. According to his brother, Reza Shahabi plans to continue his hunger strike until his status is clarified and his prison conditions are made clear. According to human rights reporters, Reza Shahabi’s health is rapidly deteriorating and his life is at risk. The imprisoned labour activist is suffering from osteoarthritis, low blood pressure, and heart and liver problems. During his incarceration, the degenerative arthritis has resulted in Reza Shahabi to lose control over the left side of his body. Reza Shahabi is an individual who has fought tirelessly for justice. He is honoured as ICHR’s award winner for his tireless efforts in supporting worker’s rights in Iran.

Kouhyar Goudarzi: Kouhyar Goudarzi is an award-winning human rights and student activist, a blogger, a freelance journalist, a banned Sharif University aerospace engineering student, and a member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters. In November 2009, Kouhyar was expelled from his studies for his human rights activities.
On December 20, 2009, Kouhyar and other activists were arrested in Azadi Square while heading to Qom for Ayatollah Montazeri’s funeral. After enduring more than five months of temporary detention and severe physical and psychological torture in Evin, the human rights activist was sentenced to one year in prison. And on December 14, 2010, he was released from prison. However, on July 31, 2011 Kouhyar Goudarzi was arrested again. The next day, his mother was arrested and transferred to Kerman prison. Kouhyar Goudarzi was subjected to an enforced disappearance, and the Iranian authorities have remained silent on his location and well being to this day. According to unofficial sources and open evidence, Kouhar is currently detained in Evin prison. Kouhyar Goudarzi is a brave and selfless human rights defender who is honoured as ICHR’s award winners for the many sacrifices he has chosen to make for a more hopeful future in Iran.

Ramin Parchami: Ramin Parchami is a prominent Iranian actor who was arrested during the February 14, 2011 pro-democracy protests in Iran. He was spotted in the crowd in a demonstration and was told numerous times by plainclothes agents to leave. However, when Ramin Parchami ignored the warnings, he was arrested. According to a detainee who witnessed the actor's transfer to Evin prison, he had walked down the prison hallway chanting loudly, “Zendani Siasi Azad Bayad Gardad” “Political Prisoners Must Be Freed!” This action lifted the spirits of the other prisoners. Ramn Parchami was sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, and is currently held in Evin prison, where he has also endured the torture of solitary confinement. The imprisoned actor has played roles in numerous films and television series, and, until last year, was working as an editor for the weekly arts and culture magazine titled, Naghsh Afarinan. Ramin Parchami is a brave human rights defender.
Link:
http://humanrightsintl.org/statement/december/2011-12-15-s001.htm
Photos:
http://humanrightsintl.org/images/events/annual-gala-2011/index.htm

Security agents of Sepah Pasdaran" & agents of Ministry of Information holding political prisoners & their families as hostage !

Pictures: 36 political prisoners- Majid Tavakoli's mother- and Evin prison.

When we speak about security agents, we mean the most frightful forces in the Islamic Republic regime who hear,see or talk to no one but themselves,holding the prisoners and their families as hostage. Ministry of" justice" or "Judiciary power" headed by Mohammad Sadegh Larijani is doing nothing but acting as scarecrow in the Islamic Republic and is responsible for all the injustices in the Islamic Republic Regime.Mohammad Sadegh Larijani and his family members assets must be frozen and their travel from Iran must be under control.We the Iranian are at the passage of a very very dark era in the history of Iran.News from Iran brings sorrow and pain to every human being hearts ,here are a few news from Iran:

Pray Sabery, a stage playright director:Our duty in Iran is unknown and we don't know what to do? She was speaking about her plays that are banned or censored by Ministry of Guidance.

Soheil Mahmoudi an Iranian poet speaking to a gathering on an event commemorating the recent death of two iranian poets and their young daughter in a road accident: Day and night we are afraid !

http://www.rahesabz.net/story/46274/

Bahman Ahmadi-amouei ,an Iranian journalist who was arrested and sentenced to 5 years and four months imprisonment. Bahman has been in detention for the last 28 months in ward number 350 in Evin prison and spent 90 days in solitary confinement for writing critical economic article and financial corruption in Ahmadinejad's economic plan which brought the biggest financial embezzlement.If Bahman's critical writing and digging the truth was correct about the corruption in Ahmadinejad's Government , then why he should be locked in jail? .

http://www.kaleme.com/1390/09/26/klm-83608/

36 political prisoners in their recent statement called Ahmadinejad's Government as the most corrupt Government of all in the history of Iran and compared the 8th "Majles" Parliament of the Islamic Republic under the leadership of Ali Larijani as of Egypts parliament during Hosni Mubarak.They have also said that; participation in the coming Majles election on March is impossible. As a result of their statement , regime banned their family visitation to prison.

http://www.rahesabz.net/story/46340/

Mohammad Mostafaei an Iranian lawyer and human rights defender who has fled Iran and currently live in Norway, in his recent article called some of the judges of the courts as torturers and security forces, disqualifying the judiciary system in Islamic Republic.

Ms. Abbasi the mother of imprisoned Iranian student leader Majid Tavakoli who is in sickbed called Mr. Mohammad Khatami the former president and asked him to pray for her to have the chance to see her son because she was unable to see her son since his arrest after the presidential election coup.

http://www.kaleme.com/

Three of green movement leader Mehdi Karoubi , Mir Hossein Musavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard are on their 300th day of illegal house arrest.

http://www.rahesabz.net/

Political prisoners in Iran need urgent attention,their lives are in great danger!

Alert on Reza Shahabi' an Iranian imprisoned labor leader !

Because of systematic violation of human rights and genocide inside Islamic Republic prisons , UN must give ultimatum to Iranian officials for one last time or prepare name list of officials commited crime against humanity and bring them to International Criminal Court!

This regime can be stopped ! And this is the only way.

Reza Shahabi is a labor leader who is in his 20th day of hunger strike. His life is in danger and paralysis is endangering his life and concern on his health condition is raising the alarm.

Committee in defense of Reza Shahabi has announced that, On Sunday Dec.11 ,2011 the prison officials brought Reza to ward number 350 in Evin prison instead of hospital. Reza via telephone conversation told his family members that ,the prison officials told him :"Your blood pressure is low and you must stay in ward 350 instead of hospital."

Based on information from the emmergency unit , Reza should have been transfered to hospital since Saturday December 10 and not the prison ward.Danger of paralysis is threatening the life of Reza Shahabi.

Link:

http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/article.jsp?essayId=42320

Iran ,biggest storm is yet to com !

"Suppression isn't the answere. Those who take this path are fool ,whether it is Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic,the government or their allies and supporters. Suppression or tyranny builds anger,revenge or hateret, which we hope the society won't go to that direction ,if it goes ,the regime should be blamed and the first people who will suffer most are the Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, his family members and the entire system of the Islamic Republic" this is what most moderate Islamist believe."
"Only by taking steps to ease the tension between people and the ruling regime can prevent the upcoming storm which will eventually wash away the regime."
It seems the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic and regime official are sleeping or day dreaming and can't realize the reality of the situation and the coming of a biggest storm washing them away easily , they instead ignoring people, for their own protection building army of Militias and so on. sooner or later the storm is coming ,wake up , bow to the demands of the people of Iran, let this people take control of their own destiny. Let them be free ! Let Iran be Free ! Release all political prisoners who are the vanguard of the freedom!
This is all i wanted to say.

Alert! Graphic-Bashar al-Assad Killing innocent Syrian people- UN just watches instead of being proactive! Blood for love of Freedom !

CPJ reports:
www.cpj.org
Published December 8, 2011
NEW YORK The number of journalists imprisoned worldwide shot up more than 20 percent to its highest level since the mid-1990s, an increase driven largely by widespread jailings across the Middle East and North Africa, the Committee to Protect Journalists has found. In its annual census of imprisoned journalists, CPJ identified 179 writers, editors, and photojournalists behind bars on December 1, an increase of 34 over its 2010 tally.
Iran was the world’s worst jailer, with 42 journalists behind bars, as authorities kept up a campaign of anti-press intimidation that began after the country’s disputed presidential election more than two years ago. Eritrea, China, Burma, Vietnam, Syria, and Turkey also ranked among the world’s worst. (Read detailed accounts of each imprisoned journalist.)
CPJ’s census found stark differences among regions. For the first time since CPJ began compiling annual prison surveys in 1990, not a single journalist in the Americas was in jail for work-related reasons on December 1. Imprisonments also continued a gradual decline in Europe and Central Asia, where only eight journalists were jailed, the lowest regional tally in six years. But those improvements were swamped by large-scale jailings across the Middle East and North Africa, where governments were holding 77 journalists behind bars, a figure that accounted for nearly 45 percent of the worldwide total. Asian and African nations also accounted for dozens of imprisonments.
While Iran’s 2009 post-election crackdown marked the beginning of widespread press imprisonments there, authorities have maintained a revolving cell door since that time, freeing some detainees on furloughs even as they make new arrests. Journalists freed on furloughs often post six-figure bonds and endure severe political pressure to keep silent or turn on their colleagues. “The volume of arrests, interrogations, and people out on bail is enormous,” said Omid Memarian, an exiled Iranian journalist. “The effect is that many journalists know they should not touch critical subjects. It really affects the way they cover the news because they are under constant fear and intimidation.” Among the 2011 detainees is Iranian editor Mohammad Davari, a CPJ International Press Freedom Award winner whose website exposed the abuse and rape of inmates at the now-closed Kahrizak Detention Center. More than half of the Iranian detainees are being held on antistate charges similar to those lodged against Davari

Nasrin Sotoudeh a Brave ,intelligent Iranian lawyer and mother, a human rights defender vs Islamic Republic regime on human rights. I bow down for her

Excerpts from the 100th session of the Human Rights Committee from Kate Fox Principi on Vimeo.

Q&A: Tackling Human Rights in Iran Is 'Like a Minefield'
Christian Papesch interviews ELISE AUERBACH, Iran country specialist for Amnesty International USA (united nations)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Inter Press Service
The Islamic Republic of Iran has one of the most desperate human rights situations in the world.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which monitors states' compliance with their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, met to consider the current circumstances in Iran.
But Amnesty International warned that Iranian authorities would 'make a farce' out of the hearing unless they acknowledged their current and past abuses, such as imposing the death penalty on juvenile offenders; discriminating against and arresting religious and ethnic minorities and homosexuals; and carrying out unfair trials and torture.
IPS correspondent Christian Papesch talked to Elise Auerbach, Iran country specialist for Amnesty International USA, on human rights in Iran, the international community's response, political complications and the potential impact of the 'Arab Spring' in Iran.
Q: The report Iran submitted this week to the U.N. Human Rights Committee was more than a decade late and yet still failed to reflect serious and continuing abuses. Was it a farce? A: I wouldn't call it a farce. They have not addressed concerns of the international community. The United Nations Secretary-General now issues reports twice a year on Iran. The Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed just issued a report but he was not allowed into the country. They brought up a lot of the concerns that we have about Iran's human rights record.
But Iran does not address these concerns. They claim that accusations against its human rights records (are) motivated by politics, that the United States and other Western countries are orchestrating this smear campaign against Iran for political reasons.
I would say that the report is inadequate and extremely evasive. It's just an attempt to avoid having to address in any kind of serious way the concerns of the international community.
Q: In the past month we have seen a number of revolutions and uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East. Do you think the 'Arab Spring' could reach Iran? Will there be an uprising against the human rights violations of the government? A: There were some very serious protests in Iran in the summer of 2009. Millions of people poured into the streets to protest what they saw as falsified election results. Many people would say that these protests were the forerunners of the protests in Arab countries this spring.
The Iranian government brutally suppressed the protests in the summer of 2009. There were some protests in December 2009 and there have been some sporadic mass protests since then, but not on a level that has been seen in Arabic countries this year.
But certainly the Iranians have taken enormous risks to protest what they see as unfair government. The Iranian government is doing the very best it can to try and prevent and avoid any further massive protest.
Q: Two days ago, filmmaker Jafar Panahi's appeal against his sentence of six years in prison and a 20-year ban on filmmaking and travel was rejected. Is there any way for him and other critics of the regime to continue working in Iran? What steps has Amnesty International taken to support activists like Panahi? A: Jafar Panahi has expressed his desire to remain in Iran money times. He says he loves his country and doesn't want to leave Iran — and yet he has been prosecuted.
We collected about 21,000 signatures on a petition on behalf of Jafar Panahi. Some very well known Hollywood celebrities like Sean Penn, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese signed it. We did a petition delivery to the Iran mission to the United Nations in New York. We went into the building of the Iran mission and after some negotiation finally an official agreed to take the petition.
There is broad crackdown against artistic impression in Iran and it is very difficult for people to operate in Iran. But no matter how difficult it is for them to exercise their right of freedom of expression, they still do it. Iranian people are extraordinarily courageous — they always think of ways to outwit the Iranian government.
Q: What are the main difficulties Amnesty International faces in its attempts to improve the human rights situation in Iran? How does the country differ from other countries on which you work? A: Iran is certainly one of the most challenging countries to work on. For one thing, it's challenging because of its scale of human rights violations. There are just so many problems in Iran and the system is not at all transparent. Amnesty International is not allowed access into Iran.
Fortunately there is a very large number of human rights activists in Iran that report on human rights violations. We get very good information from them, but the fact that we are not allowed in the country to do our mission is a problem.
We want to make clear that our agenda is not the agenda of the U.S. government. When we are criticizing Iran's human rights record we are speaking as human rights activists and that's our only concern.
We have to be very careful with our messaging because of the fact that the debate over Iran can be very politicised with other issues, such as Iran's nuclear programme, its supposed hostility towards the state of Israel, supposed influence on other Middle Eastern countries.
There are just a lot of other very fraught issues involved with Iran so it's kind of like a minefield and we have to be very careful to just adhere to our human rights message.
© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights Reserved
Link:
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/10/21/11620

Iran: Heavy Security Deployment In Tehran Amidst Protest Fears

December 6, 2011
Security is said to be “tight” in the Iranian capital, amidst fears of a fresh wave of opposition protests on Ashura and national Students Day.
According to Green Voice of Freedom sources, on Tuesday anti-riot police in full armour gear and security forces on motorcycles were patrolling a number of neighbourhoods in central Tehran. In addition, helicopters circled in the central districts, keeping a close eye on developments on the ground.
A recently uploaded YouTube video shows a heavy security presence in Tehran on the holy day of Ashura. The clip appears to shows security forces positioned in important areas of city’s centre such as Haft-e-Tir Square, Enghelab Sq., Vali-Asr Sq., the intersection of Hafez and Enghelab Avenues as well as the intersection of Enghelab and Vali-Asr Avenues.
“The atmosphere [was] completely dominated by security [forces]. The non-stop hovering of helicopters, as well as patrols by the special guard and the police are reminiscent of the Ashura [protests in December 2009],” said another eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The intersection of Shademan and Sattarkhan, [was] filled with anti-riot forces and there [were] many police vehicles with cages. It was the same situation in Towhid Square,” he continued.
In December 2009, a wave of anti-regime demonstrations known as the “Ashura” protests swept Iranian cities. Clashes between Green Movement supporters and security forces during the protests left at least eleven protesters dead in Tehran, three of whom were run over reputedly by police cars. Among the slain protesters was Seyed Ali Mousavi, nephew of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who was killed by an assassin’s bullet to the heart.
At least four other protesters were killed by security forces in the north-western city of Tabriz.
At the time, Tehran’s Deputy Police Chief Ahmad Reza Radan acknowledged the arrest of 300 individuals on state television, but shamelessly claimed that those killed included one person who fell off a bridge and two others who were killed in a car accident. Radan went on to add that only one protester had been killed by bullet. However, “considering the fact that the police did not use firearms, this incident is extremely suspicious, and is being investigated,” he said.
No one has been brought to justice for any of the crimes committed on that day.
Link:
http://www.eurasiareview.com/06122011-iran-heavy-security-deployment-in-tehran-amidst-protest-fears/

Union of the Islamic Students Associations in Iran : From December 7-14 a week of student's actions !

University is the vanguard of freedom and University students will chant freedom stronger than ever !

While Islamic Republic regime is busy arresting student activists and bringing its militia once again into the streets, the Union of the Islamic Students Associations in Iran released a statement calling students to take action .

Daftare Tahkime Vahdat ( or The Union of the Islamic Students Associations in Iran ) on the commemoration of "Students Day in Iran" in a statement announced that ; from December 7 - 14 students all over Iran will take action for their rights , freedom , release of all political prisoners including student leaders and keep the students struggle alive by remembering those students who have been killed by the Islamic Republic regime during holy days of "Tasua and Ashura" in Iran. The union of the Islamic Students Association in Iran asked students to start their actions with new approach to remove the reign of despotism for ever from Iran.
Link:
http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/article.jsp?essayId=42194

Protest against fake elections TEHRAN IRAN 13 June 2009 17:45 PM- Regime in economic - political crisis - People Power ...

Film taken by Basiji's on top of a bldg. Ashura Dec.2009- It shows people's power!Some one put this on Youtube-

Ashura Dec.2009 people clash w/ Basiji's & win the fight-Dec. 7 student day of protest is coming - Regime is divided & weak,people must take advantage

College Bridge protest Ashura Dec.2009, a group of Basiji under seige by people,2 years after regime is very weak,Students day of protest is coming

Ashura in Iran-the month of Dec.2009 people protest after election coup.Regime is in its weakest time of all - students are preparing for "16 Azar"

Canadian university graduates among Baha'i educators on trial in Iran

A Baha'i educator with a degree from a Canadian university received a four-year prison sentence in Iran while two other Baha'i educators with Canadian university degrees are being held in prison without charge, according to reports received by the Baha'i International Community.
Nooshin Khadem-who holds a Master's in Business from Carleton University in Ottawa- has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Husband and wife Kamran Rahimian and Faran Hesami, both psychology instructors and graduates of the Masters in Educational Counseling Program of the University of Ottawa– have been held without charge since 13 September 2011.
The three Canadian university alumni are among nine educators that have been detained in connection with their involvement in an informal community initiative – known as the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) – in which Baha'i professors, debarred by the Iranian government from practicing their professions, offer their services to teach young community members who are banned from university.
Four year jail terms were also given to BIHE lecturers Ramin Zibaie, Mahmoud Badavam and Farhad Sedghi and consultant Riaz Sobhani.
Two other individuals associated with the BIHE, Vahid Mahmoudi and Kamran Mortezaie, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Verdicts against the seven were reportedly handed down by a judge at Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Read profiles of the BIHE prisoners
"It is not even clear at this stage what the exact charges were against these innocent souls, whose only desire was to serve young people who have been unjustly barred from higher education on purely religious grounds," said Bani Dugal, Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations."What kind of society makes educating the young a punishable crime?" she said.Global protest
The most recent attacks carried out against BIHE continue to provoke condemnation from governments, organizations, academics and young people throughout the world.More than 70 academics in Australia, including University of Ballarat vice-chancellor, David Battersby, have signed an open letter protesting Iran's educational discrimination against Baha'is and calling for the immediate release of the imprisoned educators.
On 10 October, 43 prominent philosophers and theologians in 16 countries signed a letter of protest. “To acquire knowledge and learning is the sacred and legal right of all; indeed, the state is obliged to provide it. In Iran, the government has done the opposite...” wrote the academics.Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates – Desmond Tutu, the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, and Jose Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor – in another open letter, sharply criticized the Iranian government, comparing its actions to "the Dark Ages of Europe" or the "Spanish Inquisition."
On 5 October, resuming a Canadian Senate debate about the Baha’is in Iran, Senator Hugh Segal described the suffering heaped on Baha’is as “systematic and brutal, especially when the Baha’i are known as a peaceful faith that embraces the sanctity of all religions.”
“The official Iranian oppression of Baha’i … is a clarion call to humanity and to free peoples and democracies everywhere to look directly at the harsh colors of the Iranian reality and not look away until the challenge is faced head on,” said Senator Segal.
Around 112 Baha’is are currently behind bars in Iran because of their religion. This includes the seven Baha’i leaders, serving 20-year jail terms on trumped-up charges. The cases of some 300 other Baha’is are still active with the Iranian authorities.

Link:

http://bahainews.ca/en/node/684

Islamic Republic regime in Iran: Amnesty International is good when releases statement against our enemies and is bad when make statement against us!

Some of the government sponsored media covered about the statement released by the Amnesty International on Saudi Arabia ,critisizing Saudi Arabian rulers for arresting many people and detaining them without telling them about their charges!!!!??????
http://www.ilna.ir/newsText.aspx?ID=224013
Another website sponsored by government said: Amnesty International criticized and condemned the Saudi Arabian rulers for repression against its people!!!?????
http://alef.ir/vdcfy0dy1w6dm0a.igiw.html?132219

Another one wrote:
Amnesty International accuses Saudi Arabia for violation of Human rights!!!!?????
http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1902527&Lang=P

One wounder shame is a good thing but not for Islamic Republic of c ourse ,because Islamic Republic is the most shameless Government of all not in the history of Iran but it seems in the world for using all kinds of immoral tactics to save its ........?????!!!!
Needless to say that Amnesty International has released hundereds of statements against Islamic Republic too !!!
So, AI is good when it attacks our enemies and bad when attack us.What a judgement and policy?

Those who have attacked on British Embassy in Iran were Basijis & Revolutionary Guard Militias !

Just a note:

The Islamic Republic regime in recent years and months was under strong economic pressure from western countries particularly from US and Britain and their allies. The IR regime was also under continous pressure from UN security council and UN human rights council . The Islamic Republic Regime in Iran and its top officials including revolutionary guards were listed as human rights violators and their assets are freezed by many European countries in recent year and months.All these efforts by western allies brought the think tank officials to a decission making for organizing an orchestrated protest to the British Embassy in Iran. Therefore,Those who have attacked the British Embassy were the Basiji militias -Same basiji militia were involved in killing and wounding or arresting the green movement protesters almost three years ago after the presidential coup in Iran.Since pro-regime media called the attackers to the British Embassy as students , one must look carefully on the pictures and videos released and are available in Youtube.Some of these attackers are regime subsidized Basiji militia students.by saying that, i wanted to separate these students with the vast majority Iranian students who are against the current Islamic Republic regime in Iran and supports green movement.

Said Hajarian An Iranian reformist warned about the safty of Mir Hossein Musavi !

Iranian people and Human rights organizations around the world must take this news seriousely!

Mir Hossein Musavi's life is in great danger!
. Said Hajarian in a letter to Kalameh Website warned about the saftey of Mir Hossein Musavi one of green movement leader. He said in his letter that: "Unfortunately recently a news was posted on the website of the pro- governing bodythat, Mr. Mir Hossein Musavi is facing with an incurable ilness and doctors have become hopeless about the treatment.
Mr. Hajarian who was one time part of security team of the Islamic Republic and who is familiar with regime use of these kinds of news release,warned about the safety of Mr. Mir Hossein Musavi.
link:
http://www.kaleme.com/1390/09/09/klm-81961/