Faridi was detained at her father’s residence in Tabriz. During the apprehension, intelligence agents conducted a search of their home and seized some of her personal belongings.
Parastoo Faridi is pursuing her studies in industrial engineering at the University of Tabriz.
The event was a reminder of the challenges faced by minorities in Iran, especially in the wake of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests. The demonstrations, which began a year ago following the tragic death in detention of Zhina Mahsa Amini, have drawn attention to the Iranian authorities’ excessive use of force and rampant human rights violations.
Independent journalist, Deepa Parent, expertly moderated the session. Opening remarks were courageously delivered by Iranian human rights activists, who, despite the risks, provided virtual comments directly from within Iran.
Dr. Javaid Rehman, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, offered insightful keynote remarks that outlined the challenges and potential paths forward for improving human rights in the country.
Skylar Thompson, representing Human Rights Activists (HRA) presented three key areas the international community can urgently address the cycle of impunity in Iran including through continuing to support UN-led investigations including through the renewal of the FFMI mandate, the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and steadfast support for resolutions on Iran. Second, she added the need for pursuing international pathways to justice notably through the use of universal jurisdiction in light of the unwillingness to investigate violations domestically. She concluded that the continued and united condemnation against violations of human rights and international law are essential because as she stated, “silence is complicity.”
Other panelists, including Simin Fahendej from the Baha’i International Community (BIC) and Awin Mostafazade from Kurdpa, provided rich context to the discussion, shedding light on the depth and breadth of discrimination that various minority groups encounter daily.
As the event concluded, the consensus was clear: the international community must redouble its efforts to address the plight of minorities in Iran. The event, which was open to the media, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who attended.
Watch the event here:
The arrests occurred shortly after the individuals had left the Mosque, and they were reportedly taken into custody by plainclothes agents.
As of now, the identities of these students, their current locations, and the specific charges against them remain undisclosed. The situation is being closely monitored for further developments.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his arrest, Razmjoo managed to contact his family, notifying them of his detention.
As of now, the reasons behind Razmjoo’s arrest and the allegations against him remain undisclosed.
According to a report by Kurdpa, Sargeran was taken into custody at his residence in Saqqez. It’s important to note that in addition to his legal profession, Sargeran also serves as a university lecturer and is an advocate for disability rights.
The specific reasons behind this arrest, as well as any charges that may have been filed against him, remain unknown at this juncture.
Majidi’s arrest took place at his workplace, and it is worth noting that the arresting agents did not present an arrest warrant. They also conducted searches at both his workplace and residence.
At this time, the exact grounds for his arrest, the specific allegations against him, and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Bakhtiar Sasani, a 42-year-old resident of Marivan in Kurdistan Province, was allegedly apprehended at his residence. As of now, the grounds for his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the specific accusations against him remain undisclosed.
According to a source close to Moradi’s family, he was apprehended by IRGC Intelligence agents 18 months ago. Despite repeated inquiries by his family to both security and judicial authorities, they have received no responses, leaving them deeply concerned about his well-being.
Moradi, a married man and father of one, was taken into custody by security forces on March 17, 2022.
A source with close ties to Mahdavi’s family reached out to HRANA, confirming his arrest on the evening of September 25 in Yasuj.
As of now, the reasons for Mahdavi’s arrest, the location of his detention, and the specific allegations against him remain unknown. This marks another instance of legal action against Mahdavi, who had previously been detained and faced legal proceedings due to his activism during the nationwide protests of 2022.
One of the detainees has been identified as Nour-Ahmad Shikardag, aged 20.
The report suggests that military and security forces were involved in the arrest of these individuals in Zahedan.
It is worth noting that, as the anniversary of the “Bloody Friday of Zahedan” approaches, the incident when security and military forces opened fire at the prayer site in the Great Mosalla of Zahedan last year, several residents in Zahedan have been subject to arrests and summonses.
