Monthly Report – July 2024: Human Rights Situation in Iran

HRANA – HRA’s Statistics Department has released its monthly report for July 2024, highlighting ongoing human rights violations across Iran. This month, 43 individuals were executed, comprising 36 men and 2 women, with only a few executions officially reported. Alongside these executions, 14 individuals were sentenced to death, underscoring a persistent use of capital punishment in Iran, often for offenses that do not meet international standards, notably drug-related crimes. This practice starkly contradicts the right to life as articulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Freedom of expression remains severely curtailed, with 144 individuals arrested in relation to this issue during July. Among them was Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, who was summoned to serve his prison sentence for his song “Brai,” which led to charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “inciting people to disturbances.” Additionally, journalists and activists such as Salahuddin Khalaj Asadi faced harsh penalties, with Asadi receiving a sentence of 40 lashes for insulting a government official. The Court of Appeals upheld a two-year prison sentence and a fifteen million toman fine for journalist Dina Ghalibaf.

Prison conditions remain dire and continue to be a place of serious human rights violations, with reports of 25 cases of medical neglect and significant delays in judicial processes affecting 13 cases, where no information about the person has been available after their arrest. Political prisoners like Meisham Dehbanzadeh and Gholamhossein Kolbi faced severe mistreatment, including beatings and medical neglect. Mahnaz Desha, a political prisoner in Evin prison, attempted suicide in protest against the death sentence of another political prisoner and was returned to prison shortly after hospital treatment.

Women’s rights violations persist . This month, two women were executed, and two others were sentenced to death. Women continue to face harassment and arrests for improper hijab wear; in July, one woman was arrested for this reason. Additionally, there was an honor killing, and another woman fell victim to an acid attack in Haftkel.

Workers in Iran endure hazardous conditions, with 24 fatalities and 60 injuries recorded from work-related accidents in July. Additionally, over 3,988 workers reported unpaid wages, exacerbating economic hardships in the face of unsafe working environments. In one incident, an 18-year-old teenager named Habib Ghafran died due to indiscriminate shooting by police forces in Zabul. Five workers, including an emergency rescuer, faced accidents due to unsafe working conditions, resulting in three deaths and two injuries. On July 18th, military forces shot at Kolbers in Nowsud, resulting in one death and five injuries.

This report underscores ongoing human rights abuses in Iran, including executions without transparency, suppression of dissent, dire prison conditions, systematic violations of women’s rights, and unsafe labor practices, warranting urgent international attention and action.

Executions

This month in Iran, the execution of 43 individuals took place, comprising 36 men and 2 women. A total of 14 individuals were sentenced to death. Iran persists in executing individuals for offenses falling short of the standards outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Notably, there remains a consistent trend of individuals being executed for drug-related crimes, a practice in clear contravention of the right to life as stipulated by the ICCPR. This month, 26 people were executed for drug-related offenses.

Kamran Sheikha, a Sunni prisoner, was executed in Urmia prison after more than fourteen years of imprisonment. He was sentenced to death along with six other Sunni prisoners and was the last to be hanged in this case.

The case began in October 2007 with the killing of teacher Abdul Rahim Tina by unknown assailants. Sheikha and the six others were arrested and sentenced to death by Branch 28 of Tehran Revolutionary Court, a sentence later upheld by Branch 41 of the Supreme Court.

Despite an initial overturning by the Supreme Court, the death sentences were reissued by Judge Abolqasem Salavati of Branch 15 of Tehran Revolutionary Court and ultimately confirmed by the Supreme Court on February 14, 2018.

Kamran Sheikha was transferred from Mahabad prison to Urmia prison the day before his execution. Other prisoners in the same case, Qasim Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Dawood Abdulahi, and Farhad Salimi, were executed in Qazalhasar prison in Karaj on various dates. Anwar Khezri and Khosro Besharat were also executed in Urmia prison in May of this year.

This month, Sharifeh Mohammadi was sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of “Baghi” (armed rebellion) due to her alleged membership in an opposition group. Her court session, held on June 8th, addressed accusations of propaganda against the regime, actions against national security, and “Baghi” through her involvement with an opposition group. The Ministry of Intelligence apprehended Mohammadi at her Rasht residence on December 5, 2023. She was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, 2023, and later returned to Lakan Prison.

Similarly, this month, Pakhshan Azizi, a political detainee held in Evin Prison, was sentenced to death by Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Azizi faced multiple charges, including “membership in anti-regime groups.” A source close to the labor activist’s family told HRANA, “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no connection to the Komala group she is accused of being a member of, leading to the charge of ‘Baghi’.”

Freedom of Thought and Expression

Iran continues to crack down on anyone who protests or criticizes the regime, persistently violating the right to freedom of expression and thought. This month alone, 144 individuals have been arrested related to freedom of expression, 32 trials, and 2 cases of assault and battery by police. Iran also continues to sentence individuals based on their posts on social media platforms, this month Hamidreza Shirzadi, was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “blasphemy, his posts on Instagram were used against him.

A spokesman for the judiciary announced the arrest of 113 people, the summoning to the courts of 100 people, for charges related to the presidential elections. Additionally, 4500 instagram pages have been identified for “trying to encourage people to boycott the elections and create despair and despair in the society”. Lastly, also two cases were filed against Telegram channels related to the presidential election. Additionally, the spokesperson of the Judiciary stated that 30 individuals were summoned to the Prosecutor General’s Office for what he called “promoting rumors in cyberspace”.

Shervin Hajipour, an Iranian singer, has been summoned to serve his prison sentence. His sentence of three years and eight months was confirmed by the appeals court. During the 2022 nationwide protests, Hajipour was arrested for his song “Brai” and was later charged with “propaganda against the regime” and “inciting people to disturbances.” Although his travel ban was lifted, he must present himself to prison soon. Additionally, he faces a two-year travel ban and other penalties. Hajipour’s song “For” won the “Song for Social Change” award at the 55th Grammy Awards.

Additionally, a charge was filed against “Jehan Sanat” newspaper”publishing material regarding the results of the presidential election.

Salahuddin Khalaj Asadi, a journalist, was sentenced to 40 lashes by the Court of Appeal of Central Province. This sentence followed a complaint by Massoud Piraysh, the Director General of the Sports and Youth Department of Central Province, accusing Asadi of insulting a government official.

While Asadi was acquitted of personal insult, defamation, and publication of falsehoods, the court upheld the lashing sentence for the charge of insulting a government official. Despite international prohibitions against inhumane and degrading punishments, including execution, Iran continues to use such punitive measures.

The Court of Appeals of Tehran Province has upheld a two-year prison sentence and a fifteen million toman fine for journalist and Shahid Beheshti University student Dina Ghalibaf, for “spreading falsehoods.” Both penalties are suspended for five years, requiring her to avoid political and social activists during this period. Ghalibaf, arrested on April 16 and later transferred to Evin Prison, was reportedly abused during detention. She was released on bail on May 1. At 23, Ghalibaf has worked with ISNA and EghtesadOnline and faced disciplinary action for participating in a university protest in 2023.

On 24 July, 10 individuals were arrested in Kamyaran and transferred to an undisclosed location. The arrest took place during the funeral of Esmaeil Karimi, a forest ranger who was fatally injured while extinguishing the fire in Kamyaran.

Prison Conditions

In July, there were 25 cases of prisoners lacking medical care and there were 13 cases where no information about the person has been available after their arrest, leaving families in the dark about the prisoners’ fates due to a lack of contact. Meanwhile, 13 political prisoners have been granted medical leave. Furthermore, 18 prisoners have been transferred to solitary confinement, 6 prisoners have had no access to a lawyer, and 4 have gone on hunger strikes in protest of their conditions.

Meisham Dehbanzadeh, a political prisoner in Qazalhasar prison, Karaj, has suffered irreversible damage to the nerves in his left eye after being beaten by prison guards last year. Following a conflict in the 5th Division of the Greater Tehran Prison in June 2022, six guards beat him on the head and handcuffed him to a bar for a day. He was recently transferred to Farabi Hospital due to vision loss and headaches, where doctors confirmed his condition is untreatable. Dehbanzadeh, sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes for property destruction and other charges, faces daily difficulties due to his vision impairment, causing concern among his family. He was previously released under an amnesty decree in June 2023 but remains imprisoned following additional sentences by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Gholamhossein Kolbi, a political prisoner in Shiban Ahvaz prison, is serving the 24th year of his life sentence. Despite suffering from hernia and ear infections, he has been deprived of proper medical care and hospitalization. Kolbi, 66, has been limited to basic examinations and pills from the prison infirmary, though he requires specialized treatment. He was arrested on January 19, 2000, with Saeed Masouri for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, Kolbi was initially sentenced to death in 2001 for moharebeh, later commuted to life imprisonment. He spent 14 months in solitary confinement and was transferred between various prisons before landing in Shiban Prison.

Mahnaz Desha, a political prisoner in Evin prison, attempted suicide by swallowing pills on the evening of Tuesday, August 2. She was taken to Luqman Hospital and returned to Evin Prison shortly after. Desha’s suicide attempt was in protest against the death sentence of another political prisoner, Azizi. Desha was arrested on November 13, 2023, in Tehran and transferred to Evin Prison on December 3, 2023. In December 2023, she was sentenced to three years and eight months for conspiracy and eight months for propaganda against the regime. Her sentence was later reduced to two years and nine months. Desha has a history of judicial and security issues.

In conclusion, the treatment of prisoners in Iran remains a critical human rights concern, with ongoing reports of medical neglect, violence, lack of legal representation, and punitive actions against political dissent.

Women

This month, 2 women were executed, and 2 others were sentenced to death. Women continue to face harassment and arrests for not wearing hijab properly. In July, 1 woman was arrested for improper

hijab wear. Additionally, there was an honor killing, and another woman in Haftkel fell victim to an acid attack.

A video showing teenage girls without hijabs participating in the mourning processions of the third Shiite Imam was circulated on social networks. Following the video’s release, the police chief of Alborz province announced that these girls have been summoned to the police.

Hamid Hedavand, the police chief, stated that the video caused hurt feelings among mourners and prompted police action. He labeled the girls as violators and confirmed that all identified individuals have been summoned by the Alborz province police.

Sepideh Rashno, a writer, student, and anti-hijab protester, has been summoned to Evin Prison on July 27 to serve her sentence. Despite attempts to delay her sentence, the Supreme Court converted another prison sentence to a fine, but the previous suspended sentence will be enforced.

In July 2022, a video showed Rashnu confronting a religious vigilante on a bus, leading to her arrest and a suspended three-years, seven-months prison sentence in December 2022. In 2023, she faced additional charges, resulting in a reduced sentence, which was converted to a fine. Rashnu, about 30, is a painting student at Alzahra University and was suspended for not complying with mandatory hijab rules.

Workers

Workers in Iran face ongoing challenges and hazardous workplaces. In a tragic turn of events, this month saw 24 fatalities resulting from work-related accidents, with an additional 60 workers left injured. Moreover, 3988 workers reported unpaid wages, while 3418 others were denied their insurance rights.

On Friday, July 15th, an 18-year-old teenager named Habib Ghafran (Taymuri) from Zabul died due to indiscriminate shooting by police forces. The anti-narcotics forces fired at a car without warning, seriously injuring the driver with a bullet to the head. Ghafran, who worked at his father’s supermarket on Zabul Army Blvd, died after 24 hours in the hospital.

Five workers, including an emergency rescuer, faced accidents due to unsafe working conditions in Kerman, Dezful, Qazvin, and Isfahan, resulting in three deaths and two injuries.

In Kerman, a 30-year-old worker died after falling into a well while digging on a cattle farm near Akhtiar Abad. Rescuers retrieved his body after two to three hours.

In Dezful, a 38-year-old emergency rescuer, Ebrahim Harisi, drowned in the Dez River. His body was found by fire department divers.
In Isfahan, a worker fell into a canal during a water transfer project and was injured when soil fell on his head.
In Qazvin, two elevator repairmen experienced an electric shock while fixing a broken elevator, resulting in one death and one injury.

On Monday, July 18th, military forces shot at Kolbers in the border areas of Nowsud, resulting in one death and five injuries. Ayoub Mohammadi, a married father from Kogah village, Salas Babajani county, and resident of Javanrud, was killed. The injured Kolbers were taken to Quds Hospital in Paveh for treatment. The military has not yet handed over Mohammadi’s body to his family. The Kolbar work is a hazardous and difficult job pursued due to lack of opportunities, often leading to fatalities or injuries from natural hazards or shootings by border guards.

International News Update:

The campaign to defend labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi is gaining strong international support. Recently, the French trade union collective, comprising five major unions with hundreds of thousands of workers, and the Confederation of Danish Trade Unions condemned her death sentence and demanded her immediate release. They emphasized that fighting for workers’ rights should never be a crime and criticized the Iranian regime’s repressive actions.

Various other international organizations, including Amnesty International, the Swedish-Iran trade union platform, and unions from Spain, Germany, and Australia, have also supported the campaign. The campaign “Free Them Now” has called for global support to pressure the International Labour Organization (ILO) to expel Iran from the organization and to secure Mohammadi’s release. The collective efforts aim to amplify the voice of Mohammadi and her family worldwide and ensure her immediate freedom.

UN Special Rapporteur, Dr. Javaid Rehman, emphasized the need for an international mechanism to investigate and prosecute those responsible for “atrocity crimes” in Iran, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of arbitrarily arrested prisoners during the 1980s crackdown on political dissent.

Dr. Rehman, whose mandate ends on July 31 and is now being taken over by Mai Sato, stated that the summary, arbitrary, and extrajudicial executions during 1981-1982 and in 1988 amounted to crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination, and genocide. The victims included women, some reportedly raped before execution, and many children. Crimes against humanity also included imprisonment, torture, and enforced disappearances.

Dr. Rehman highlighted that the Bahá’ís were targeted with genocidal intent, and persecution of religious, ethnic, and linguistic minorities and political opponents continued with impunity since the Islamic Republic’s establishment in 1979. The Special Rapporteur’s final findings call for an investigative and accountability mechanism to conduct impartial investigations, preserve evidence, and aim for criminal prosecutions under international law. Rehman stressed that the ongoing concealment of the fate of political opponents and the whereabouts of their remains amounts to the crime against humanity of enforced disappearance.

Dr. Rehman noted the failure to ensure justice and accountability in Iran and its impact on the families of victims and the current human rights situation. Despite the Iranian government’s denial of these “atrocity crimes,” perpetrators have not been brought to justice. Rehman reiterated that there should be no impunity for gross human rights violations, regardless of when they were committed. He called for an independent international investigative and accountability mechanism for Iran to ensure that the regime and its leaders face consequences for their crimes against humanity and genocide.