Monthly Report – An Overview of the Human Rights Situation in Iran for Bahman 1395 Iranian Calendar (20 Jan 2017 – 18 Feb 2017)

HRANA News Agency – The Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) has published the following monthly report for the Iranian calendar Month of Bahman (20th jan-18th Feb) on the human rights situation in Iran. This report cannot perfectly and comprehensively reflect the details of human rights concerns in Iran due to the limitation and bans on independent human rights organizations and their activities in Iran.

It should be noted that in addition to the monthly reports, the Department of Statistics and Publication of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) publishes a comprehensive and analytical annual report at the end of each calendar year.

An Analytical Overview on the Human Rights violations in Iran for Bahman 1395 Iranian Calendar (20 Jan 2017 – 18 Feb 2017 Gregorian calendar)

In Bahman 1395 (Iranian Calendar), The systematic violation of human rights in Iran continued with 54 executions in the provinces of Alborz, West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Lorestan, Khorasan Razavi, Fars, Hamedan, Qom, Kermanshah, Gilan, Markazi and Hormozgan.

Execution

Unfortunately there has been significant number of executions in Bahman 1395. Some of the highlighted reports regarding the execution of prisoners in this month includes: at least 8 prisoners executed in Rajahi Shahr Prison of Karaj (Gohardasht). Execution of 7 Prisoners in Qom Prison; An unfair trial for at least one of the executed prisoners. Two Prisoners executed in public in Bandar Abbas.

Despite all the executions in Bahman 1395, we have also witnessed cases of pardoning of convicts and exonerations from executions.

Religious and Ethnic Minorities

The violations of the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities continued in this month. The most obvious cases of these violations were the following reports: Amir Zargani’s Arrest in Ahvaz.  Parvane Hossein Panahi and her Spouse arrested in Dehgolan by the intelligent services. 3 citizens of Ahvaz arrested by the national security agents.

In connection to the violation of the rights of the Baha’i Citizens; numerous discriminations and persecutions persisted for instant; the arrest of Baha’i Scholar and Translator Farogh Izadi. Sogol Kazemi, student, Deprived of education and suspended from university during her fifth semester. Trial of 3 Baha’i Citizens was held in Mashhad.

In connection to the violation of the rights of the Sunni Citizens there has been some reports, including the following reports: a Sunni Baloch cleric was summoned to special cleric’s court. 20 years of imprisonment in total for 4 Sunni citizens of Bukan.

In regards to violation of the rights of Christians the most notable report published is “Bijan Farokhpour starting to serve his sentence at Adel Abad prison of Shiraz.”

Children

The following are of the most notable reports, among the reports concerning children’s rights: The dark destiny of the 16 year old child-bride forced into marriage. Students of Dishmok village punished with pliers and cable, and the Education Ministry denying the incident. Children forced to marriage with physical abuse of their fathers (video file).

Women

Despite all the slogans for gender equality, the government did not take any steps forward in this direction, and the rights of Iranian women continued to be violated during the month of Bahman as well. Following are some of the most noteworthy reports published on the violation of women’s rights: 8 girls arrested trying to enter Azadi Stadium during a match. Suitor attacks a women by acid for being rejected. Wife’s Murder in Bardsenk due to “suspicion”. Two people sentenced to stoning in Lorestan.

Labor Rights

There has been numerous reports of violations of Worker’s rights in Bahman 1395. The following are a few examples of these reports: Reports of arrest of 3 workers activists in Fars province and their unknown where about.  Layoff of more than 200 workers from the factory of “Jahan Vegetable Oil” in Zanjan. More than 27 thousand people unemployed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmed Province. Only in the first 9 months of the current year more than 16 workers died due to work accidents.

Unions

There has been few reports in regards to unions and union’s rights during this month. The following are of the most highlighted reports: Arrest of 16 people in Modeling industry and closure of 5 businesses in Tabriz. One of the teacher from Varamin, Hamid Rahmani, was summoned to Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence. Violent confrontation with street vendors and confiscation of their fruits and vegetables in Ahvaz. Arrest of tens of people in modeling industry.

Health and Environment

In the field of health and environmental protection, there were numerous reports mainly involving draught and air pollution. Following are of the most noteworthy reports in this regard: hypertensive avian influenza observed in 4 bird farms in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Province. Extensive Water and Power shortage in Khouzestan Province due to haze. Production of sorb in Qom exceeds National needs; Potential environmental crisis awaiting Qom. Ahvaz Air pollution 66 times more than the healthy limit.

The reports in the spot light

In this section of the monthly report, the most controversial and publicly sensitive cases of violations of human rights are highlighted. The special attention given to following reports does not indicate that the content of these reports are of greater violation of human rights.

The following are the most highlighted reports of the month: Responses to nightly cutting of Trees of Freshteh Street in Tehran. Ahvaz Air pollution 66 times more than the healthy limit. Production of sorb in Qom exceeds National needs; Potential environmental crisis awaiting Qom. 8 girls arrested trying to enter Azadi Stadium during a Match. Honor Killing of the daughter by Father in Qaem-Shahr. The arrest of Baha’i Scholar and Translator Farogh Izadi. One person arrested claiming being “GOD”. One person Arrested in Pardis claiming to be the “Prophet”. Parliament representative voicing concerns about increasing smuggling of body parts in Iran.

The reports in the shadow

Unlike the reports mentioned in the previous section, many human rights’ reports received little or no attention from social media, bloggers, Internet activists, who are considered key contributors of the public opinion. It should be note that this unintentional or intentional negligence has results in continuation and further spread of human rights violations in Iran.

The first on this list that receive little public attention is “Bijan Farokhpour starting to serve his sentence at Adel Abad prison of Shiraz.” The following reports also received little attention from the public: a Sunni Baloch cleric was summoned to special cleric’s court. Arrest of 3 workers activists in Fars province and their unknown where about. Security Forces break hand of a teenager from Ahvaz during Arrest. 3 citizens from Ahvaz were arrested by the security forces. 6 prisoners were executed in Birjand Prison. One prisoner executed in Maku Prison. Arrest of tens of people in modeling industry.

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