HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran, many of which were continuations of ongoing movements.  Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations.

Saturday, March 5

A number of workers at the Abadan Petrochemical Complex went on strike and gathered at their workplace in protest against the incorrect implementation of the Job Classification Plan whereby wages and benefits are determined by some conditions such as the nature of work and work experience. One of the workers said: ” As CEO had promised, the plan should have been implemented and the payment should have been done until now, which have not yet occurred.”

About 200 taxi drivers gathered before the governorate building in Dorud City. They asked to increase taxi fare and to deter the work of drivers using taxi apps.

The members of union of Water and Sewerage Department in Eslamshahr (Tehran Province) held protests before Justice Building to ask for their demands.

A number of students of the University of Tehran gathered before the university’s central building to protest against what they called “the lack of transparency about the reopening of the University of Tehran”.

Sunday, March 6

A number of local fishermen of Jask County held protests before the governorate building. They said that overfishing by trawlers has damaged their business.

The green space maintenance workers of the Oil and Gas Exploration company of Gachsaran held protests before the National Iranian South Oilfields Company to protest a lack of job security and poor living conditions. They rolled out an empty tablecloth as a sign of their poor livelihoods.

A group of heavy transport workers of the Chadormalu Mining and Industrial Company gathered before the Judiciary Public Relations Office. These workers have not received 12 months of wages.

Firefighters in Karaj City gathered to protest against poor living conditions and other issues.

A group of workers of the Municipality of Shush city protested before the governorate and municipality buildings to ask for their wage demands. One of the workers said: “Why should we pay for the budget deficit of the Municipality? When we complain, then they threaten us to fire. We expect the City Council stands with workers.”

The sweepers of the Municipality of Kut Abdollah gathered before the governorate building in Karun’s governorate building to protest against frequent delays in payments. One of them said: “Every time we have protest to get our wages. The year is ending but we have not yet received our delayed wages. We ask the municipality and the province authorities how can we survive in this situation”.

A group of retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization held protests in Rasht, Ardabil, Shushtar, Kerman, Ahvaz, Arak, Kermanshah, Qazvin and Tabriz cities. They asked to raise pensions to catch up with increasing living costs in accordance with Article 96 of the Social Security Act.

A group of workers of the Municipality of Tabriz City gathered before the City Council to protest against the decrease at the end of year bonuses.

A group of pensioners of the Fulad pension fund gathered before the office of this fund in Isfahan to ask their pension-related demands.

The retired workers of Homa Airline gathered before the pension fund of this company to protest against assigning this fund to the national fund of Civil Servants Pension Organization.

The workers recruited by a contractor working with Bushehr Petrochemical Company went on strike at their workplace to ask for receiving two months delay in payments.

Monday, March 7

For the second consecutive day, the sweepers of the Municipality of Kut Abdollah gathered before first the municipality and then the governorate building of Karun City to ask for their wage demands. They said it is four months that they have not received any wages.

The retirees of Tehran’s Electric Power Distribution Company gathered before the Power management Company building to ask for fairness and equal pension and benefits for the pensioners of this company like other pensioners of the Ministry of Energy.

A number of workers of Iran Road Maintenance & Transportation Organization in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province gathered before the governorate building of this province to protest against unpaid wages and benefits.

In Jask County, a number of local fishermen held protests before the Admiral Department. They said that overfishing by trawlers has damaged their business. Yesterday also, they gathered before Jask’s governorate building and Imam of Friday Prayer’s office of this city. According to these protestors, overfishing by trawlers has damaged their business.

The personnel of the Production and Operation Company of the Power Plant of Andimeshk Karkheh Dam went on strike and gathered on company premises. They protested against prioritizing non-local workers in recruitment.

For the second consecutive day, the workers recruited by a contractor working for Bushehr Petrochemical Company went on strike to ask for delayed wages. Reportedly, yesterday, after the worker’s strike, the contractor was forced to pay one month of delayed wages.

Tuesday, March 8

The working and retired personnel of telecommunication companies of various cities such as Tehran, Ahvaz, Isfahan, Shiraz, Qom, Tabriz, Mashhad, Shahrkord, Zanjan, Arak, Kohrramabad, Sari and Ardabil gathered before company building. They protested against a failure to comply with regulations enacted in 2011 and a delay in receiving non-cash rations and medical allowances.

The pensioners of Homa Airline fund pension held protests before the parliament in Tehran. They disagree with assigning this fund to the national fun of Civil Servants Pension Organization. One of the retirees said: “More than 13 thousand the retirees disagree with this assignment. Nonetheless, Parliament ignored them and approved this assignment”.

A number of teachers in Khuzestan Province gathered before the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz to protest against the summons and possibly indictment of two teacher union activists, Ali Koroshat and Farangis Nasim-Pour by the court.

The victims of financial fraud of a cryptocurrency network known as “King Money”, run by the Baadraan Gostaran Company, gathered before the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade in Mashhad and Tehran cities. They asked for the prosecution of this company for fraudulent acts.

A group of the workers of the municipality of Shush City gathered before the building of this municipality to demands their delayed payments.

A number of school service workers gathered before Parliament to demand closing disparities in their wages with other employees of the Ministry of Education.

A group of personnel of the Power Plan Neka gathered before the governorate building of Mazandaran Province to protest against a decrease in wages and other livelihood issues.

A group of truck drivers of Lamerd City gathered before the governorate building to protest against a failure to recharge fuel ration cards.

For the third consecutive day, workers of the Municipality of Kut Abdollah went on strike in protest of a three month delay in payments, failure to receive end of year bonuses and incomplete payment of insurance contributions by the employer.

Wednesday, March 9

In Qazvin City, in protest against the indictment of three members of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, a group of teachers gathered before the city’s Public and Revolutionary Court where the interrogation session was held.

The workers of the Industrial Mould Production Company, SAIPA, went on strike and gathered before the company’s office building. The workers protested against low wages.

A group of student interns of the University of Medical Sciences held protests before Rasul Akram Hospital in Tehran City. Last Monday and Tuesday, they gathered on hospital premises. These protestors asked for payments and wage raised.

For the fourth consecutive day, the workers of the Municipality of Kut Abdollah gathered before the governorate building of Khuzestan City. They asked for two months of unpaid wages and other benefits.

For the second consecutive day, a number of workers of Iran Kaveh Saipa Company went on strike. Reportedly, the workers wanted to gather outside at the company premises but the company managers did not let them get out of the building.

Thursday, March 10

On Thursday and the day before, a group of personnel of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad held protests before this Ministry building in Qom, Shahrekord, Kermanshah and before the management building of this Ministry in Javanrud, Shahin-Shahr, Meymeh, Tiran & Karvan, and Lordegan. Also, some personnel gathered before their Parliament member’s office in Kani-Bazar, Shahrekord and Ben & Saman. They protested a failure to enact a plan to raise wages, poor living conditions and low wages lagging behind inflation.

A group of citizens and environmentalists gathered at the natural resort, Sorin, in Baneh County to protest against extensive illegal felling of oak trees. In recent days, hundreds of oak trees in this area have been felled illegally.

Sunni Prisoner Hamzeh Darvish Sentenced to Two Years and One Month In Prison

In a new case recently opened against him, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht sentenced Sunni prisoner Hamzeh Darvish to two years and one month iin prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Darvish is currently serving a 15 year sentence in Lakan prison, and was sentenced to two years and one month in prison in a new legal case.

In this verdict, he has been sentenced to 18 months on the charge of “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran” and seven months and sixteen days on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. This verdict was issued on March 5, and he was notified yesterday, March 9.

This case was opened following complaints by the Ministry of Intelligence regarding audio of Darvish that circulated on social media. In this audio recording, Darvish explains his condition in prison.

Darvish claims that in 2014, ISIS troops tricked him into Turkey and then he travelled to Syria. He had been in ISIS jail for some time, then escaped to Iran and introduced himself to security forces.

After spending a year in detention, he was released on bail. However, he was arrested again and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in a trial which raised many questions. On May 11, 2020, he was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison to Lakan Prison. On September 30, 2020, he was held in solitary confinement for more than two months for the second time.

Amir Abbas Azarmvand Sent From Detention to Evin Prison to Serve His Sentence

Journalist and workers’ rights activist Amir Abbas Azarmvand was sent to Evin Prison to serve his sentence after his arrest by Security Police in Tehran on March 8 during an International Women’s Day celebration. He was jailed without receiving summons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Azarmvand was sent to the Quarantine Section of Evin Prison. Last Tuesday, he was violently arrested by security forces at a gathering held by a number of civil activists to mark Women’s Day and protest against honor killings and other forms of violence against women. In a break with routine, he was sent to Evin Prison to endure his sentence without summons.

On September 1, 2021, security forces arrested Azarmvand at his home.

In January of this year, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to four years and three months imprisonment, a two-year ban from leaving the country and a two year prohibition from membership in civil and political groups. Since he has refused to appeal the sentence and asked for commutation, the sentence is enforceable per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Three Kolbars Injured in Direct Shooting by Military Forces in Nowsud

On March 8, military forces at a border area in Nowsud opened fire on three Kolbars (cross border carriers) without warning, injuring them.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the Kolbars were identified as Pouria Abdorahmani-Nejad, Pejman Abdi and Mansoor Abdi, all residents of Salas-Babbai County.

They have been hospitalized and reportedly, their conditions are stable.

Many poor people living in border areas work as Kolbars to make ends meet. This work is illegal and involves carrying loads on foot across national borders. Yearly, dozens of Kolbars are injured and killed from accidents, dangerous conditions, and border guard shootings.

An Overview on Eleven Prisoner Hunger Strikes in Various Prisons

In recent weeks, at least 11 detained or imprisoned citizens went on hunger strike in various prisons in protest against a failure to address their concerns.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, at least eleven prisoners in various prisons across the country are on hunger strike.

This report outlines their latest conditions:

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb: On February 21, this civil activist was arrested at his house and transferred to Evin Prison. He has been on hunger strike since his arrest. On February 28, 2022, he was sent to a solitary confinement cell.

On March 2, he was transferred to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, where prisoners of violent crimes are held. During the arrest, security agents searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings. Ragheb is a firefighter with 17 years of work experience who was fired from his job due to his civil activities.

Fariba Asadi: On February 27, this political prisoner went on hunger strike in Qarchak Prison following a quarrel and beating by a fellow inmate to protest against being held in the same ward as prisoners of violent crimes.

On January 3, she was arrested at her house and sent to Qarchak Prison in Varamin City to serve her sentence.

On December 12, 2021, she was summoned by the Executive Unit of the Qods Public and Revolutionary Court to endure her sentence. Earlier, along with three other defendants, she was sentenced to one year imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Arsham (Mahmood) Rezai: On February 7, the civil activist, who is jailed in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj City, went on hunger strike to protest against a failure to receive adequate medical treatment and refusal to grant him medical furlough. On February 27, the twenty-second day of his hunger strike, his weight had dropped to 52 kilograms and his blood pressure was critically low. He also suffers from a hiatal hernia, an Helicobacter pylori infection and a duodenal ulcer, which have worsened his health during the hunger strike.

Rezai was arrested on January 7, 2019 by security forces. On November 13 of that year, he was released on bail for 200 million tomans until the end of legal proceedings. On February 26, 2019, the Islamic Revolutionary Court sentenced Rezai, without informing his attorney that the court session was taking place, to eight years and six months imprisonment on charges of “propaganda against the regime”, “collusion against national security”, and “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. Per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment of five years was enforceable. On January 20, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to an additional 15 months in prison on new charges (which was later reduced to 11 months on appeal) and 4 months penal labor for the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad.

Mohammad Hooshangi: On February 23, Hooshangi went on hunger strike to protest his long-term detention in Urmia Prison. On March 7, he ended his hunger strike after prison officials promised to change bail from 7 billion to 2 billion tomans. In January of 2021, Hooshangi was arrested in Tehran and transferred to a detention centre at disposal of IRGC in Urmia City. Ultimately, after 7 months, he was relocated to Urmia Prison. He was charged with “membership in an anti-regime political groups”.

Ali Musa-Nejad Farkoosh: Since February 1, this civil activist, currently jailed in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj City, has been on hunger strike and refuses to take medicine as a way of demanding freedom for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

He suffers from diseases such as a hiatal gastric hernia and intestinal diverticulum. On February 27, after twenty-seven days on hunger strike, he had critically low blood pressure and an extreme weight loss of 13 kilograms.

He was granted medical furlough but was forced to return to prison on October 27, 2021 without completing treatment. Earlier, Forensic Medicine in Karaj City confirmed that he suffers from acute diseases that require surgery.

In June 2019, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Moghayeseh, sentenced Farkoosh to eight years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, “an offensive statement against the current and former supreme leaders of Iran” and “propaganda against the regime”. This verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals. Per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment of five years on the count of “assembly and collusion” is enforceable.

On November 29, 2020, he was sent to Rajai Shahr Prison to serve his sentence.

Ebrahim Seddigh Hamedani: On February 12, Hamedani went on hunger strike in Marivan Prison to protest against the relocation of him and his son to Sanandaj Prison. Earlier, on January 24, this political prisoner refused to take his medicine in protest, leading to severe hyperglycemia.

He and his son were transferred from Urmia Prison to Marivan and Kamyaran prisons, respectively.

On February 23, 2019, Hamedani was arrested alongside along his son Salar and daughter Maryam Seddigh. He was transferred to Urmia Central Prison on April 23, 2019. Maryam Seddigh Hamedani was released from prison on April 25, 2019.

Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced both men to 16 years imprisonment on charges such as “acting against national security through membership in an anti-regime organization” and “propaganda against the regime”.

In August of 2020, while serving their sentences, they were relocated to the detention centre of the Ministry of Intelligence in Urmia City and interrogated for allegedly spreading “propaganda against the regime inside prison”. Subsequently, a new legal case was opened against them and they were sentenced to an additional 11 months in prison.

Yousef Mehrad: The prisoner of conscience, who is jailed in Arak Prison, has been accused and condemned for blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam. On February 10, he went on hunger strike to protest the prohibition of phone calls. His latest condition since his hunger strike is unknown.

His lawyer, Mohammad Arman, announced that Mehrad has been sentenced to death for one charge and eight years in prison for the other by the Revolutionary Court of Arak. His court-appointed lawyer called the confirmation of this verdict by the Supreme Court unjust, and asserted that his client must be exonerated.

Previously, HRANA reported about this case, wherein two defendants, Sadrollah Fazeli Zare and Yousef Mehrad, were sentenced to death for “blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam” by Arak’s Revolutionary Court. In another trial, Mehrad was sentenced to 8 years in prison for “offensive statements against the current and formers supreme leader of Iran”.

On May 24, 2020, security forces arrested him at his house in Ardabil City. He was transferred to Arak Prison and was detained for two months in a solitary confinement cell. For eight months, he was not allowed to call his family and was denied family visitation. He is the father of three children.

Shakila Monfared: This political prisoner has been on hunger strike in Qarchak Prison in Varamin City since March 3.

She has gone on hunger strike to protest the housing of political prisoners in the same ward as prisoners of violent crime, the irresponsibility of prison officials towards her safety and a recent threat from a fellow inmates.

An informed source told HRANA that a prisoner of violent crimes threatened her with a sharpened piece of can and intended to injure her.

There is no further info about her condition since she was relocated to Ward 8 of the prison.

On August 31, 2020, security forces arrested Monfared while she was leaving her home. They transferred her to a detention centre at the disposal of the IRGC in Tehran. Reportedly, they did not have a warrant for this arrest.

On September 9 of last year, she was relocated to the quarantine section of the women’s ward of Evin Prison. On September 14, she was released on bail of 400 million tomans until the end of legal proceedings.

In January of this year, the joint court trial of Shakila Monfared, Arsham Rezaei, and Mohammad Abolhassani was held in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. 27-year-old Monfared was sentenced to 6 years in prison and 4 months of probation work in the Agricultural Jihad on charges of “propaganda activities against the system” and “insulting the sanctities of Islam”.

In addition to the mentioned-above political prisoners and imprisoned civil activists, at least three other prisoners, Habibollah Miraki, Loghman Mamandi and Loghman Abdolllahzadeh, went on hunger strike in Kamyaran Prison to protest the refusal of prison officials to grant furlough. Abdolllahzadeh has been on hunger strike since last Sunday, and the first two prisoners since yesterday.

In Iran’s prisons, hunger strikes are common among prisoners despite causing long-term physical and mental impairment. Hunger strikes are used as a last resort to achieve urgent demands such as unlawful long-term detention without trials, violations of prisoners’ rights and infringement in due process.

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Keyvan Bazhan Released on Furlough Connecting to End of Sentence

On March 9, Keyvan Bazhan, writer and a member of the Iranian Writers’ Association was released from Evin Prison on furlough. By the end of the furlough period, he will have served his sentence and hence will not return to prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Bazhan, has been imprisoned since October 2020. On May 7, 2015, Bazhan was summoned by Branch 12 of the Court of Culture and Media along with Reza Khandan and the deceased Baktash Abtin, where they were interrogated and accused of “propaganda against the regime”. On January 22, 2019, they were arrested during an appearance at Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. Due to an increase in bail to one billion tomans and their inability to post bail, they were jailed in Evin Prison. Four days later, Bazhan was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

On April 27 and 28 of 2019, the first court session was held by Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. The court, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghayeseh, sentenced him to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and five years on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security”. On September 26, 2020, he was sent to Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

In the trial, examples for the above-mentioned charged included Bazhan’s membership in the IWA, as well as publishing the internal newsletter for IWA, collecting and authoring a book about the history of IWA and visiting the burial place of the writers who were killed during the Chain murders of Iran, such as Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad-Ja’far Pouyandeh.

The IWA is an independent group of authors, poets, editors and translators based in Iran which was formed in May 1968 to fight against state censorship. The government has continuously persecuted members of the IWA after the 1979 revolution. In 1998, several IWA members, including opposition politicians Dariush Forouhar and his wife Parvaneh Eskandari, and writers Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad-Ja’far Pouyandeh, were murdered.

Amir Abbas Azarmvand Arrested in a Gathering to Mark Women’s Day

On March 8, journalist and workers’ rights activist Amir Abbas Azarmvand was arrested by security forces during a gathering to celebrate International Women’s Day.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an informed source stated that, Azarmvand’s father went to the police station where he was told that his son has been detained by Security Police.

On that day, holding pictures of the victims in their hands, a number of civil activists in Tehran protested against honor killings and violence against women.

Azarmvand has faced other arrests and convictions due to his civil activities. In the last case, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to four years and three months imprisonment, a two year ban from leaving the country and two years prohibition from membership in civil and political groups.

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested to Serve Sentences Without Prior Notice

On March 7, three Baha’i citizens, Sedigheh Aghdasi, Behrooz Farzandi and Ghasem Masoomi, were arrested and transferred to Adel-Abad Prison to serve their sentences. The arrest occurred without any notice and followed summons by the Revolutionary Court under the pretext of answering questions. Initially, these citizens had been each sentenced to 39 months in prison. On appeal, the sentence against Farzandi and Masoomi was upheld, while 25 months of Aghdasi’s sentence term was suspended.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an informed source stated that during a court appearance, they were arrested and transferred to prison from the back door of the court without informing their families, who were waiting for them in front of the court building.

On April 6, 2021, they were arrested along with three other citizens by security forces. They were detained in solitary confinement cells of a police detention centre in Shiraz City. In May of 2021, they were released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

In November of last year, the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced each to seven months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 31 months and 16 days on the charge of “membership in anti-regime groups.” On appeal, 25 months of Aghdasi’s sentence was suspended and the sentences against two others were upheld.

Regarding the prosecution and the harassment of Baha’i people by Iran’s regime, HRA Senior Advocacy Coordinator Skylar Thompson stated that HRA strongly condemned these discriminatory acts against religious minorities in Iran. She asked that the regime take action to ensure Iranian people, and particularly Baha’i citizens, are entitled to the freedom of religion and can perform religious acts freely.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations Covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Directors of Two News Outlets Found Guilty by Tehran Press Court

On March 7, the jury of Press Court found the directors of two news outlets, Memari News and Eskan News, guilty of “spreading lies”.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA, Ahmad Momenizadeh, the spokesperson of the Jury for Political and Press Crimes announced that the directors of Memari News and Eskan News have been found guilty in a trial held at Branch 9 of the Criminal Court of Tehran Province.

According to Momenizadeh, the directors have been charged with “spreading lies in order to disturb public opinions and publishing untrue and defamatory content”.

“The jury found them guilty for spreading lies against Engineering Construction Organization, though deserved for commutation. In other counts, the jury did not find them guilty,” he added.

Azerbaijani Turk Activist Mohammad Aini Jailed in Rasht Prison

Detained Azerbaijani Turk activist Mohammad Aini informed his family in a phone call that he had been relocated to Rasht Prison. On January 22, he was summoned via phone by the Ministry of Intelligence and was arrested after an appearance at the Ministry’s office in Rasht City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Aini has faced other arrests. In October of 2020, amid widespread protests in the Azerbaijani regions in the Western part of the country, he was arrested in Rasht City. After some time, he was released from jail on bail. In February of 2021, he was tried by Branch 12 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on the charge of “acting against national security” and was finally acquitted.