Monthly Report – An Overview of the Human Rights Situation in Iran for Farvardin 1396 Iranian Calendar (21 March 2017 – 20 April 2017 Gregorian calendar)

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 Farvardin (21st March-20th April) 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 Farvardin 1396 Iranian Calendar (21 March 2017 – 20 April 2017 Gregorian calendar)

In Farvardin 1396 (Iranian Calendar), The systematic violation of human rights in Iran continued with 18 executions in the provinces of Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Lorestan, Khorasan Razavi, Kerman, Markazi and Hormozgan.

Execution

Unfortunately there has been significant number of executions in Farvardin 1396 (Iranian Calendar). The most highlighted reports regarding the execution of prisoners in this month includes: At least 8 prisoners have been executed in Rajai Shahr prison. A prisoner was executed in Public in Arak. One prisoner was executed in Bandar Abas. One prisoner was executed in Parsilou Prison of Khorramabad.

Despite all the executions in Farvardin 1396, 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: Abbas Lessani has been summoned to the revolutionary court of Ahar. Soheila Kargar has been sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment. Arrest of at least 10 people by the security forces in Ahvaz.

In connection to the violation of the rights of the Baha’i Citizens; numerous discriminations and persecutions persisted for instance; 5 Baha’i Citizens were arrested in Isfahan for unknown charges. 7 Baha’i Citizens arrested in Bandar Abbas.

In connection to the violation of the rights of the Sunni Citizens there has been some reports, including the following reports: Summon and arrest of the Sunni Friday prayer Imam from Pashamagh. Sunni cleric student’s seminar in Kenarak was prevented. Molavi Koohi has been arrested; spreading protests around Baluchistan and threatening protestors. Two Sunni clerics were sentenced to one year of imprisonment.

In regards to violation of the rights of Christians the most notable report published is “The appeal court upheld 5 years imprisonment sentence for Christian Convet, Ebrahim Firouzi”

Children

The following are of the most notable reports, among the reports concerning children’s rights: Physical injuries of a Student in Kerman, due to physical punishment by teacher. A death penalty was reduced to whipping and 2 years of exile.

Women

Despite all the slogans for gender equality, the government did not take any steps forward in this direction, and the violation of the rights of Iranian women continued in Farvardin. Following are some of the most noteworthy reports published on the violation of women’s rights in this month: Interior minister stated “Politicians does not include women”. Gender segregation in Tehran’s International Run.

Labor Rights

There has been numerous reports of violations of Worker’s rights in Farvardin 1396. The following are a few examples of these reports: Four employee of the Masjed Soleiman’s Concrete were summoned to court due to official complain of the employer. Summon and interrogation from one labour rights activist in Sanandaj. Arrest of one labour right activist in Kamyaran. Two workers protests.

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: shop owners of Pashamagh on strike due to the arrest of the Friday Prayer Imam of this city. Appeal court held for Mahmoud Beheshti Langeroudi.

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: Governor of Charmahal and Bakhtiari stated: “40 sections of this province are suffering from Drinking Water Shortage, and 6 percent of the province do not have access to Gas.”. Air pollution in Mehran and Dehleran Exceeds permitted levels. 50 percent of the wetlands have been dried; the bill on protection of wetlands awaits parliament approval.

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: Abbas Lessani has been summoned to the revolutionary court of Ahar. Appeal court held for Mahmoud Beheshti Langeroudi. In two years: 1924 official complain cases of Physical Punishment in schools. The man who murdered his wife for joining social media will face trial. Air pollution in Mehran and Dehleran Exceeds permitted levels. 7 Baha’i Citizens arrested in Bandar Abbas.

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 “Arrest of at least 10 people in Ahvaz by the security forces.” The following reports also received little attention from the public: Shop owners of Pashamagh on strike due to the arrest of the Friday Prayer Imam of this city. The amount of waste remained by the visitors during New Year holidays in Mazandaran. Sunni cleric student’s seminar in Kenarak was prevented. Jannati Calls for disqualification of religious minorities in council elections. Identification of 780 infants and children exposed to drugs in the first nine months of the previous year.

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