Increased Pressure on University Professors; Identification of 95 Professors Barred from Teaching

HRANA News Agency – Universities in Iran have witnessed significant changes in higher education policies. Since January 2022, a considerable number of university professors in various cities have been removed from teaching. HRANA has so far identified 95 of these professors who, during this period, have faced dismissal, suspension, non-renewal of contracts, and forced retirement. Additionally, reports have emerged about the removal of tens of thousands of part-time university professors from the Islamic Azad University and several other university professors, whose identities are currently under investigation by HRANA.

According to reports collected by HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists (in Iran), January/February 2022 to the present, the country’s universities have witnessed the dismissal, suspension, non-renewal of contracts, and forced retirement of a large number of their faculty members.

This report, examining the situation of university professors in various Iranian cities, confirms that at least 95 university professors have so far been deprived of their teaching activities for reasons including dismissal, suspension, non-renewal of contracts, and forced retirement. These events, some of which may be due to support for the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, indicate the increasing pressure being placed on the academic community in Iran.

Furthermore, reports have been received about the elimination of tens of thousands of part-time professors from the Islamic Azad University and several other university professors. These actions, whose exact identities are still under review, in addition to having direct effects on the professional lives of the professors, could have serious consequences on the quality of higher education and the scientific atmosphere of the country.

This wave of changes not only rings alarm bells for academic independence and freedom of expression in university environments but also calls for immediate attention and action by the international community. This report aims to expose these events, paving the way for further investigations and more effective actions in support of the rights of Iranian professors and students.

Below is a list of the names of professors who have been barred from teaching in the past two years, and whose identities have been verified.

1- Professor’s name: Mersedeh Eslami – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
2- Professor’s name: Mohsen Khalili – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
3- Professor’s name: Shahram Abbasi – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
4- Professor’s name: Mehdi Kalahi – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
5- Professor’s name: Alireza Azad – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
6- Professor’s name: Mahshid Gohari – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
7- Professor’s name: Arash Bidollahkhani – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
8- Professor’s name: Shirzad Azad – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
9- Professor’s name: Reza Omidi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
10- Professor’s name: Arash Raeisinejad – Educational institution: University of Tehran
11- Professor’s name: Hossein Alaee – Educational institution: University of Tehran
12- Professor’s name: Maham Miqani – Educational institution: University of Tehran
13- Professor’s name: Mohsen Baraheni – Educational institution: University of Tehran
14- Professor’s name: Dariush Rahmanian – Educational institution: University of Tehran
15- Professor’s name: Vahid Eidgah – Educational institution: University of Tehran
16- Professor’s name: Javad Bashari – Educational institution: University of Tehran
17- Professor’s name: Milad Azimi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
18- Professor’s name: Lili Azimi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
19- Professor’s name: Ghasem Azizi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
20- Professor’s name: Hossein Mosbahian – Educational institution: University of Tehran
21- Professor’s name: Azin Movahed – Educational institution: University of Tehran
22- Professor’s name: Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
23- Professor’s name: Susan Safavardi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
24- Professor’s name: Ali Akbar Amini – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
25- Professor’s name: Alireza Radmehr – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
26- Professor’s name: Hossein Tafazoli – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
27- Professor’s name: Dee Dokht Sadeghi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
28- Professor’s name: Mohammad Ali Khosravi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
29- Professor’s name: Bijan Nayeri – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
30- Professor’s name: [First name unknown] Sajedi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
31- Professor’s name: Farshid Norouzi Roshanavand – Educational institution: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran
32- Professor’s name: Hamid Behrami Zadeh – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
33- Professor’s name: Zahra Noei – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
34- Professor’s name: Elham Tavakoli – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
35- Professor’s name: Ali Ahmadi – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
36- Professor’s name: Mehdi Khoie – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
37- Professor’s name: Mina Matlab Nejad – Educational institution: Babol University of Medical Sciences
38- Professor’s name: Hasan Taheri – Educational institution: Babol University of Medical Sciences
39- Professor’s name: Mohsen Shahlaei – Educational institution: Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
40- Professor’s name: Mehdi Shahabi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
41- Professor’s name: Shahriar Nafisi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
42- Professor’s name: Hasan Razmi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
43- Professor’s name: Hossein Heidar – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
44- Professor’s name: Mohammad Saeed Sheikh Rezaei – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
45- Professor’s name: Ahmad Soodagar – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
46- Professor’s name: Mohammad Sadegh Ahmad Akhoundi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
47- Professor’s name: Amirreza Rokn – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
48- Professor’s name: Mohammad Bayat – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
49- Professor’s name: Karamollah Toolabi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
50- Professor’s name: Zahra Ahmadi Nejad – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
51- Professor’s name: Mohammadreza Motamed – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
52- Professor’s name: Morteza Kolahdooz – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
53- Professor’s name: Mohammad Rouhani – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
54- Professor’s name: Rahleh Alimoradzadeh – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
55- Professor’s name: Mohammadreza Abazari – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
56- Professor’s name: Maqsoud Ranjbar – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
57- Professor’s name: Hamed Forouzani – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
58- Professor’s name: Nayeresadat Mobinipour – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
59- Professor’s name: Farzaneh Vahed Dehkordi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
60- Professor’s name: Nader Haghighi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
61- Professor’s name: Mohammad Ali Ranjkesh – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
62- Professor’s name: Mohammad Dakhili – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
63- Professor’s name: Majid Zargham – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
64- Professor’s name: Shahram Kiaei – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
65- Professor’s name: Bijan Ghonchepour – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
66- Professor’s name: Rasoul Akbarlou – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
67- Professor’s name: Pouya Arianpour – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
68- Professor’s name: Hamid Shans – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
69- Professor’s name: Mohammad Hossein – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
70- Professor’s name: Iman Emad – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
71- Professor’s name: Masoud Alia – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
72- Professor’s name: Amir Maziar – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
73- Professor’s name: Arman Zakeri – Educational institution: Tarbiat Modares University
74- Professor’s name: Somayeh Simet – Educational institution: Tarbiat Modares University
75- Professor’s name: Navid Barzenje – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Parand in Tehran
76- Professor’s name: Ahmad Shakarchi – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
77- Professor’s name: Mostafa Azarkhshi – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
78- Professor’s name: Mohammad Ragheb – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
79- Professor’s name: Ameneh Aali – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
80- Professor’s name: Hamideh Khademi – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
81- Professor’s name: Pantea Vaeznia – Educational institution: Alzahra University
82- Professor’s name: Neda Toulai – Educational institution: Alzahra University
83- Professor’s name: Reham Afghani – Educational institution: Sharif University of Technology
84- Professor’s name: Ali Sharifi Zarchi – Educational institution: Sharif University of Technology
85- Professor’s name: Shamsi Abbas Alizadeh – Educational institution: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
86- Professor’s name: Keyhan Soleimannejad – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Salmas
87- Professor’s name: Behrouz Chaman Ara – Educational institution: University of Kurdistan
88- Professor’s name: Armita Seraj Zahedi – Educational institution: Iran University of Science and Technology
89- Professor’s name: Mohammad Saadati – Educational institution: University of Birjand
90- Professor’s name: Mohammadreza Nazarinejad – Educational institution: University of Gilan
91- Professor’s name: Aziz Nazarinejad – Educational institution: University of Shiraz
92- Professor’s name: Baharak Akhtardanesh – Educational institution: Bahonar University of Kerman
93- Professor’s name: Mohammad Mehdi Oloumi – Educational institution: Bahonar University of Kerman
94- Professor’s name: Mehdi Motiee – Educational institution: Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Isfahan
95- Professor’s name: Mohammad Soltani – Educational institution: Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Isfahan

Among the professors listed, Navid Barzenje, who held a Ph.D. in Art Philosophy and was a former professor at the Islamic Azad University of Parand in Tehran, committed suicide and died in Dey of this year (Dec 22 – Jan 20) after being dismissed from the university. To better understand the number of professors who have been barred from teaching at various universities, see the statistical chart below, which represents the statistics of education deprivation by institution.

Recent reports published by official Iranian media indicate that the Islamic Azad University has seen a widespread removal of part-time professors from its faculty. Etemad newspaper reported in the current month of Aban that in just twenty days, more than 32,000 part-time professors had been removed from their positions at this university, which has prompted widespread reactions. These actions have been taken in the wake of last year’s protests and amidst a backdrop of political and social tensions. The Ministry of Interior of Iran has accused the dismissed professors of “politicization,” while the Ministry of Science has attributed the dismissal of some of these individuals to “negative responses from inquiries to security institutions and bodies.” Analyses suggest that criticisms and protests against government policies could be among the main reasons for these dismissals.

Reactions to the widespread dismissal of professors extend beyond public opinion and the media to include officials, institutions, and the academic community. Various organizations and entities, including the Iranian Writers’ Association, student syndicates, and university professors’ syndicates, as well as prominent political figures, have condemned these actions and interpreted them as a sign of the intensification of a repressive atmosphere in universities. HRANA news agency, on the eve of the anniversary of the nationwide protests of 1401, had also drawn attention to the increasing pressures on the academic community in Iran by publishing a statistical report.

These reports and reactions raise deep concerns about the trend of dismissal and suspension of university professors in Iran and re-emphasize the importance of supporting academic freedoms and expression in university environments. These events, which have a significant impact on the country’s academic community, necessitate immediate attention and action by the international community to support educational standards and human rights in Iran.

 


For more information please contact Skylar Thompson, Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) skylar[at]hramail.com


 

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Each Sentenced to One-Year Prison Terms

Tehran, August 9, 2023: In a recent development, Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, both students at Allameh Tabataba’i University, have been each handed a one-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Emtedad News.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari conveyed the verdict to the students, indicating that they have been found guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” This decision was reached during a court session held on July 10, 2023.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. As a consequence, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Three Student Activists Indicted for Protesting Poison Attacks on Schools

On April 24, 2023, three students from Allameh Tabataba’i University – Hasti Amiri, Fereshteh Toosi, and Zia Nabavi – were indicted in Evin Court House for protesting against serial poison attacks on schools.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Didban News, students Hasti Amiri, Fereshteh Toosi and Zia Nabavi face new legal cases for “propaganda against the regime.” The court has ordered a bond for their pre-trial release.

The students are being prosecuted for protesting against the serial poisoner attacks on schools and the mistreatment of students by university security staff.

On March 7, 2023, over thirty students of Allameh Tabataba’i University were banned from entering the campus and are facing disciplinary action. At the time, the Student Basij unit issued a statement calling for disciplinary punishments against the three indicted students.

This is not the first time these activists have faced legal action for their activism. Fereshteh Toosi and Zia Nabavi have been arrested and prosecuted before, and Hasti Amiri was imprisoned in Evin Prison from July 31, 2022, to February 7, 2023, serving a one-year sentence.

 

Iran Protests: 130 Allameh Tabataba’i University Students Barred from Entering the Campus

An Allameh Tabataba’i University official announced that 130 students are barred from entering the campus.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Modara, in an attempt to prevent protests, 130 students at Allameh Tabataba’i University were barred from entering the campus.

“This prohibition included residential campus, and the banned students who reside in student dormitories should leave,” this University official added.

 

 

Student Activist Hasti Amiri Imprisoned

On July 31, Hasti Amiri, the law student at Allameh Tabataba’i University, was arrested and taken to Evin Prison to serve her one-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security forces arrested Hasti Amiri at her house in Tehran and took her to Evin Prison for sentencing. 

In March of this year, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Amiri to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. She was also prohibited from membership in political and civil rights groups, and activities on the internet, and banned from attending student gatherings for two years. The Court of Appeals upheld this verdict.

According to her lawyer, Amir Raisian, a published photo showing Amiri in a student gathering for the celebration of Women’s Day in March, as well as her statements on social media against capital punishment was presented in the trial as evidence.

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Detained Student Ronak Rezai Transferred to Sepidar Prison

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, after one month in detention, Ronak Rezai was transferred from an IRGC detention facility to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Ronak Rezai is a resident of Abadan and a graduate student at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in a phone call to her family, Rezai informed about her relocation from an IRGC detention facility to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Currently, she is held in a quarantine section.

Rezai’s  lawyer, Farzaneh Zilabi, said that she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.” Rezai’s attorney has also stated that so far, she doesn’t have access to her client’s documents.

In early June, security forces arrested Rezai, which may be related to the recent protests following Abadan’s Metropol building collapse.

Numerous activists have asked for Rezai’s release.

On May 23, 2022, a 10-story building which was known as Metropol collapsed in the city of Abadan in Khuzestan Province. Over 30 individuals were killed, injured or trapped in the rubble. Following the collapse, hundreds of citizens in Abadan and several other cities demonstrated against the government and its failure to impose safety standards on the construction which led to the disaster.

Researcher Mohammad Khani Imprisoned in Evin

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, social researcher and translator Mohammad Khani was taken to Evin Prison in Tehran to serve a four-year sentence. Previously, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran had sentenced him to four years imprisonment and additional punishments. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, social researcher and translator Mohammad Khani was taken to Evin Prison for sentencing.

On July 3, 2021, the Tehran Court of Appeal upheld the verdict against Khani. Earlier, he had been sentenced to three years and six months in person on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” and six months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, three years and six months sentence, as the most severe of multiple charges, is enforceable.

As additional punishments, Khani was banned from civil and political activities for two years, six months of social work for children with mental disabilities, and confiscation of some of his personal belongings, including his research archive, for two years.

On October 1, 2020, IRGC Intelligence arrested Khani at his house and transferred him to Ward 2A of Evin prison. During the arrest, they searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings. On November 11, 2020, Khani was released on bail.

Mohammad Khani is a PhD student in Welfare and Social Policy at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

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. Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations

Saturday, May 23

A group of workers and retirees of the Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company Haft-Tappeh gathered in front of the governorate building in Shush City. Recently, these protestors who are living in corporate houses of this company have received an eviction notice. They said that “we will evict the houses, but we have to receive beforehand the renovation expenses. Since these houses are too old, we have spent a lot on renovation”.

A group of poultry farmers assembled in front of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad in Tehran. They protested against a 600% increase in livestock inputs. According to these farmers, the subsidiary companies of the Ministry sell the livestock inputs illegally on the black market.

A group of personnel of the Ministry of Petroleum who have temporary contracts gathered before this Ministry in Tehran to protest again low wages. According to these protestors, a 10 per cent increase in wages can not keep up with current inflation.

A number of workers of the Municipality of Ahar City walked off the job and went on strike to protest unpaid wages.

Sunday, May 23

A group of pensioners of the Social Security Organization gathered in front of the Planning and Budget Organization in Tehran. In Karaj, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Kerman, Rasht, and Kermanshah, the pensioners held protests before the building of the Social Security Organization in each city.

These pensioners demanded raising their pension to stand above the poverty line, addressing the supplementary insurance issues, the end year bonuses.

 

 

 

A group of workers of the Municipality of Yasuj gathered before the governorate building to protest against 5-month delays in payments. One of the workers complained: “we work 12 hours. However, we cannot even afford the travel expenses so we have to walk to work. If we protest, they threaten us with termination.”

A group of citizens, who have not lost their money by the fraudulent acts of Negin Khordo and Irtoya, held protests before Tehran Public Prosecutor’s Office. They asked for transparency and responsibility from the judiciary in examining the legal case against these companies.

 

Monday, May 23

Following the collapse of a tower in Abadan, dozens of people rallied and protested. 27 people died in this accident. On that day, at least 80 people were still trapped under rubble.

In Tehran, a number of taxi drivers working for taxi app Snapp protested against low fares, lack of insurance coverage and other issues.

Tuesday, May 24

A group of students of Allameh Tabataba’i University protested against the suppression of students and prison sentence against Hasti Amiri, one of the law students at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

Recently, the Court of Appeals upheld a one-year sentence against Hasti Amiri.

Similarly, a group of students of the Babol Noshirvani University of Technology gathered on campus to protest against the prison sentence against Hasti Amiri as well as other imprisoned civil activist Farhad Meysami and jailed teachers Mohammad Habibi and Esmail Abdi.

In Abadan, hundreds of residents gathered and protested before the collapsed tower known as Metropol. They chanted slogans against the incompetency of officials and shortcomings in rescue operations and equipment. At least 26 people died in this accident. The experts of the Abadan Engineering Organization had already warned about the construction defect of this unfinished building.

A group of workers of the Ministry of Petroleum, who have temporary contracts gathered before this Ministry in Tehran. They said that a 10 per cent increase in wages is less than the minimum wage enacted by the Ministry of Labor. Also, they have not received yet the end year bonuses.

A number of ranchmen brought some of their livestock in front of the governorate building in Mehran city to protest against the shortening of forage for livestock.

Wednesday, May 25

A group of physicians held protests in front of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Tehran. With placards in their hands, they protested that the government and insurance take as high as 70 per cent of their revenue.

A number of residents of a district in Fanuj City gathered at their district to protest against Natural Resources Office’s attempt to confiscate their lands to construct a mine. They also warned about the irreparable damage this mine will bring to the environment.

Thursday, May 26

In protest against the incompetency of officials led to the collapse of a tower and the death of 26 people, hundreds of people in Abadan rallied. Also in Ahvaz and Shahinshar, people rallied in support of Abadan’s protest. People chanted anti-government slogans and the police shoot tear gas into the crowd in order to scatter them.

On May 23, 2022, the unfinished 10-story Metropol building collapsed and dozens of people were killed, injured or trapped in the debris.

 

 

 

 

Students of Allameh Tabatabai University protested at acid attacks

HRANA News Agency – A group of Allameh Tabatabai University students held a rally at the School of Social Sciences and Communications of this University to announce their objection against the recent acid attacks.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on 26th October noon, a group of students from Allameh Tabatabai University held a rally at the School of Social Sciences and Communication of this University to protest against the recent acid attacks in Esfahan city demanding confront with attackers. Continue reading “Students of Allameh Tabatabai University protested at acid attacks”

Kosha Will Be Executed in Public Tomorrow

HRANA News Agency – The defense attorney for a young man sentenced to death has announced that his client will be executed early tomorrow morning.Kosha is a university student who has been convicted of murdering his classmate, Mahsa, on July 6, 2011 when she left Allameh Tabatabai University.Since the crime occurred on Tehran’s Modiriat Bridge, this murder is often referred to as “Modiriat Bridge Murder.”

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Mr. Aghasi, Kosha’s defense attorney, said, “On Monday morning, when I went to the Criminal Court in Tehran, the head of the Enforcement Unit tasked to carry out verdicts informed me that the retribution sentence against my client would be performed early tomorrow morning.”

In answer to the question whether Kosha and his family are aware of what will happen tomorrow, Mr. Aghasi answered, “Surely Kosha will know because prison officials must perform the necessary tasks to prepare a prisoner for execution.However, as far as the family is concerned, I prefer not to be the one who carries the bad news to them.”