Tag: Shadegan

Summary Report from the Second Week of Khuzestan Protests; Protests in 41 Cities

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Freedom of Expression
Abadan, Abou Homeyzeh, ahvaz, Behbahan, Bostan, Elhaei, hamidiyeh, Horr, Hoveyzeh, Izeh, Karkheh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Kut Abdullah, Kut Seyed Naeem, Mahshahr, Masjed-e-Soliman, Mollasani, Ramhormoz, Ramshir, Shadegan, Shavur, Sheiban, Shush, Veys Chamran

In the two weeks since their start on the evening of July 15, public rallies in cities throughout Khuzestan over water cuts and provincial officials’ resource mismanagement have spread to at least 41 cities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, dozens have been killed and injured during the protests, and hundreds were detained. HRANA has identified a number of victims along with 171 detained citizens in Khuzestan and other parts of Iran. The following report also reveals some of the human rights violators and addresses issues such as internet cuts, the security atmosphere, and reactions since the protests started.

Abstract

Citizens of Khuzestan have held protest rallies in at least 26 cities including Ahvaz, Susangerd, Hamidiyeh, Abadan, Kut Abdollah, Khorramshahr, Mahshahr, Bostan, Mollasani, Shadegan, Hoveyzeh, Abou Homeyzeh, Shavur, Karkheh, Kut Seyed Naeem, Shush, Veys Chamran, Izeh, Behbahan, Masjed-e-Soliman, Sheiban, Ramshir, Elhaei, Ramhormoz and Horr. In many cases, the protests have escalated into violence with the presence of military and security forces.On a number of occasions, police have opened fire and released tear gas towards protesters. HRANA has received videos showing the heavy presence of security forces and special forces vehicles in several cities in Khuzestan province.

Two citizens living in Susangerd emphasized the security climate in the city is very strong and told a HRANA reporter, “Officers with military equipment have been deployed into the streets and have caused terror among the citizens of this city.”

After the protests of the people of Khuzestan, people in the cities of Mashhad, Karaj, Saqqez, Bojnourd, Ardabil, Tabriz, Aligudarz, Bandar Genaveh, Tehran, Robat Karim, Kermanshah, Meybod, Yazdanshahr, and Baharestan of Isfahan also held protest rallies.

In addition to supporting the protests in Khuzestan, the protesters chanted slogans such as “Death to the dictator”, “Shame on Khamenei, leave the country alone”, “Iranians would die, but will not accept humiliation,” “do not be afraid, we are all together,” ” Zealous Iranians, support us,” and “We do not want the Islamic Republic”.

HRANA has received videos showing the continued presence of large numbers of security forces and special forces vehicles in many of above-mentioned cities where mass protests have taken place.

A citizen living in Tehran who was present at the protest rallies in the city told HRANA, “Besides supporting Khuzestan, we are protesting unemployment, high prices, poverty, and the existing problems in the country. We can no longer bear the hardships of life created by unworthy officials. The authorities must address the problems in the society that have filled the tolerance threshold of the people, instead of repressing and detentions.”

In response to the question of “whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the protests in Tehran”, The NAJA police Commander Ashtari clarified, “The leaders have been identified and measures have been taken with judicial coordination.”

In a short conversation with HRANA, a citizen who was present during the Tehran protests reported the arrest of at least 50 citizens after the rally. According to him, the families of the detainees went to the Evin court on Tuesday, July 27, to follow up on the status of the detained members of their families.

According to reports received by HRANA, cellphones and home internet have been cut off in many parts of Khuzestan province, and internet disconnections have been reported in other cities of the country. According to citizens, this disorder has also affected people’s jobs and income besides disrupting communication and limiting access to news.

The global internet watchdog website “Netblocks” earlier confirmed the internet disruptions since the protests took place in Khuzestan saying that “widespread Internet disruptions in Iran have occurred since Thursday, July 15, following popular protests in Khuzestan province and it continues.”

Comments from officials and other reactions

The protests have provoked reactions from many officials, experts and critics, human rights organizations and institutions, artistic figures, and others. Some officials have tried to deny that protests even took place, others have threatened protestors and attributed the rallies to “dissident groups”. Some other officials confirmed the arrests and use of violence against citizens and called for the protesters’ demands to be addressed. In this regard, Qassem Sa’edi, a representative of the people of Azadegan plain confirmed the news of the death of two young men during the protests in Shadegan and Karun counties, and claimed, “The law enforcement and security forces did not move against protesters and shootings came from terrorist groups”!

Waliollah Hayati, the governor’s deputy security chief in Khuzestan, said the protests in the cities of Khuzestan province were “limited” and claimed that the protests ended “peacefully” and that no one was killed in Susangerd. He told IRNA that the news published about killings are “negative and false” and that the publishers would be dealt with.

Fars News Agency that is close to the Revolutionary Guards, in a report on Tuesday, July 20, confirmed the shooting of the military forces and claimed that “the NAJA police shooting is to take care of the protests and the demands of the people of Khuzestan.”

Without giving details, on July 20, the governor of Behbahan confirmed the arrest of a number of people whom he called “norm-breakers” in the city.

In a threatening statement, the Ahvaz prosecutor called the protesting people of Khuzestan “rioters” and threatened that “They will be harshly confronted.”

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, confirmed the arrest of the protesters in a post on his social media page, claiming: “he has ordered the security forces to immediately release the detainees if they have not committed any criminal acts.”

The Khuzestan police chief also called the protesters “disturbers of order and security” and threatened them with “decisive confrontation.”

On the other hand, institutions, organizations, and some popular figures issued statements in support of the protesting people.

Iranian Writers’ Association, Theater House, Human Rights Defenders Association, Iranian Music House, more than 600 film artists, Hamedan Teachers’ Union, a number of artists from Fars province, more than 230 lawyers, Amnesty International, A group of political, social, union and human rights activists, the Tehran Teachers’ Union, the Human Rights Watch, and more than one hundred and thirty documentary filmmakers, issued separate statements supporting the protests of the people of Khuzestan and condemning the repression of the protesters.

Names of human rights violators identified in relation to the protests:

The Spreading Justice (human rights violators’ databases) has revealed the names of the eleven main violators of human rights in the protests, citing details of their actions, as are outlined below.

 

Abbas Mohammadi, as the police commander of Aligudarz city in Lorestan province, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July 22 protests by the forces under his command in this city.

Hojat Sefidpoost, as Izeh police chief, is involved in the violent suppression of the July protests by forces under his command in the city.

Seyed Mohammad Akbari Salehi, commander of the Khuzestan police force and a member of the provincial security council, is responsible for the violent repression of the citizens in July protests, by forces under his command.

Valiollah Hayati, as the head of Khuzestan province’s security-law enforcement coordinator with the armed forces (including the police and the Revolutionary Guards) and a member of the provincial security council on behalf of the governor, is responsible for violently suppressing the July protests in this province.

Qassem Soleimani Dashtaki, as the governor and chairman of the provincial security council, is involved in the violent suppression of the July protests of the citizens by the security and law enforcement forces.

Reza Papey, as the police commander of Mahshahr city, is involved in the suppression of the July protests and their murder. He is also responsible for the violent repression of protesters in November 2019.

Yahya Elahi, as the police commander of Lorestan province, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July 22 protests in the city of Aligudarz by the forces under his command.

Fereydoun Bandari, as the acting governor of Mahshahr port in Khuzestan province, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July protests by security and law enforcement forces in this city.

Eskandar Jamashiani, as Shadegan police chief, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July protests by forces under his command.

Seyed Qassem Mousavi, as the police chief of Dasht-e Azadegan, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July protests by the forces under his command in this city, especially in the city of Susangerd.

Hassan Shahvarpour, as the commander of the Khuzestan Provincial Corps (Valiasr Corps), besides in the Khuzestan protests, played a key role in violently suppressing the protesters during the November 2019 protests, and in violating people’s right to freedom, the right to protest, and especially the right to life, in this province. In 2020, the United States placed Hassan Shahvar Pour on its human rights sanctions list for his role in commanding the massacre of protesters in Khuzestan.

Killed citizens of the protests

So far, various reports have named at least 10 people killed in the protests.

HRANA has been able to confirm the death of 6 of them based on confirmed reports and based on its sources. Other names are still under investigation. The confirmed victims are as follows:

Mostafa Naeemavi (Asakereh) from Shadegan, killed on July 16.

Qasem (Naseri) Khediri from Kut Abdollah, who was injured on July 16 and died in hospital on July 17.

Meysam Echresh from the city of Kureh (Taleghani town), who was injured on July 18 and died in hospital on July 21.

Hadi Bahmani from the village of Susan in Izeh, killed on July 22

Omid Azarkhosh from Aligudarz in Lorestan was killed on July 22

Hamzeh (Farzad) Farisat, 32years-old, from Alavi in Ahvaz, killed on July 20

Hrana is still investigating the reports about three murder of other citizens, Issa Baldi from Taleghani town in Mahshahr, Mohammad Chenani from Shus, Hamid Majdam (Jokari) from Chamran, and Amir Mashari (Ebadi) from Mahshahr.

Detained citizens

Although reports from various cities in the country indicate that hundreds have been detained, due to restrictions on the free flow of information in Iran, and the Iranian authorities’ refusal to allow independent civil society organizations to operate inside the country, HRANA has only been able to identify detention of 171.  122 citizens in Khuzestan, 23 in Tabriz, 2 citizens in Urmia, 14 citizens in Tehran, 1 citizen in Ardabil, 3 citizens in Behbahan, 1 citizen in Junqan section of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and 5 citizens in Kermanshah.

 

The date, place of detention, and the status of these cases are as follows:

  1. 1. Ahmad Asli, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  2. 2. Ahmad Savari, son of Abdol Ali Shamil, arrested on July 20 in Alavi in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  3. 3. Ahmad Mojaddam, son of Issa, arrested on July 22 in Chamran, latest status: Unknown
  4. 4. Esmail Jalali, son of Hassan, 40 years old, arrested on July 21 in Susangerd. Latest status: unknown
  5. 5. Ashkan Sa’adat Mehr, arrested on July 24, in Urmia. Latest status: freed
  6. 6. Afshin Hamoudi, arrested on July 26, in Kermanshah. Latest status: unknown
  7. 7. Akbar Gholizadeh, arrested on July 24 in Urmia. Latest status: freed
  8. 8. Omid Saeedi, arrested on July 23, in Tehran. Latest status: imprisoned in quarantine in Greater Tehran Prison
  9. 9. Omid Tusi, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir. Latest status: unknown
  10. 10. Amir Alhaei, son of Khalaf, arrested on July 22 in Elhaei. Latest status: unknown
  11. 11. Amir Sattari, a citizen of Tabriz and a former political prisoner, arrested on July 22 in Tabriz, latest status: Unknown
  12. 12. Ahura Mohammadi, arrested on July 21 in Lordegan. Latest status: unknown
  13. 13. Olduz Ghasemi, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: she is imprisoned in Tabriz prison, and bail requested.
  14. 14. Ayad Abiat, son of Rahim, arrested in Susangerd, date of arrest: unknown. Latest status: unknown
  15. 15. Ayoub Abboud al-Namnum, a 12-year-old boy, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  16. 16. Arash Sadeghi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran. Last status: freed
  17. 17. Arash Kaykhosravi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran. Latest status: freed
  18. 18. Armin Kiani, from Liqak in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, arrested in Behbahan. Last status: unknown
  19. 19. Bassem Heydari, 20 years old, arrested in Ahvaz, date of arrest; unknown. Latest status: unknown
  20. 20. Bassem Soleimani, son of Nasser, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  21. 21. Basam Zargani, son of Hamidan and 30 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz. Latest status: unknown
  22. 22. Behzad Homayouni Arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest Status: Released
  23. 23. Bahman Taybi, arrested in Behbahan Last status: unknown
  24. 24. Behnam Hassani, arrested on July 21 in Lordegan. Latest status: unknown
  25. 25. Parham Naderi, arrested on July 26 in Kermanshah, latest status: unknown
  26. 26. Parviz Siabi, Turk (Azerbaijani) activist, arrested on July 25 in Ardabil, latest situation; unknown
  27. 27. Pouran Nazemi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  28. 28. Pouya Naderi, arrested on July 25 during a rally in Kermanshah. Latest status: unknown
  29. 29. Jassem Chaldavi, 35 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan. Latest status: unknown
  30. 30. Jasem Tusi, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  31. 31. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  32. 32. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  33. 33. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  34. 34. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  35. 35. Jafar Azimzadeh, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  36. 36. Jamil Obaidawi, arrested on July 21 in Shavur. Latest status: unknown
  37. 37. Javad Jaberi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir. Latest status: unknown
  38. 38. Javad Dehghan, date of arrest; Unknown. Latest status: He is detained in Tabriz prison and bail is requested
  39. 39. Hamed Hassani, arrested on July 21 in Lordegan. Latest status: unknown
  40. 40. Hamed Khaledi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir. Latest status: unknown
  41. 41. Habib Fadaei, a citizen of Junqan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Arrested in Junqan district. Last status: unknown
  42. 42. Hassan Saeedi, date of arrest; unknown. place of arrest Ahvaz. latest status: unknown
  43. 43. Hassan Amoori, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  44. 44. Hassan Mohsen Zeidan, arrested on July 21 in Shavur. Latest status: unknown
  45. 45. Hossein Shomeli, arrested on July 22 in Shavur. Latest status: unknown
  46. 46. Hossein Qarajeh Daghi, date of arrest; unknown. Latest status: He is detained in Tabriz prison and bail requested.
  47. 47. Hossein Manshadavi, son of Abdolreza and 22 years old, date and place of arrest; unknown, latest status: unknown
  48. 48. Hamzeh Afravi, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd. Latest status: unknown
  49. 49. Hamoud Chenani, arrested on July 17 in Ahvaz. Latest status: unknown
  50. 50. Hamoud Savari, from Ahvaz, arrested on July 23 in Ahvaz. Latest status: unknown
  51. 51. Hamoud Shamousi, 18 years old. Arrested on July 17 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  52. 52. Hamid Asefi arrested on July 20 in Tehran Last status: Released
  53. 53. Heydar AlBushoke – Arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  54. 54. Khaled Amoori, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  55. 55. Khaled Mazraeh, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  56. 56. Khalid Amoori, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  57. 57. Darem Soleimani, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  58. 58. Davood Rahimi, arrested on July 24 arrested in Tabriz, latest status: released on bail
  59. 59. Dahimawi (first name not verified), arrested on July 21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  60. 60. Dahimawi (first name unknown), arrested on July21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  61. 61. Razi Dahimavi (Dahimi), arrested on July 21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  62. 62. Razi Dahimavi, arrested on July 21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  63. 63. Rahim Sasani, arrested on July22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; freed
  64. 64. Rasoul Bodaghi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  65. 65. Rasoul Sava’edi, arrested on July22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  66. 66. Reza Savari, 23 years old, arrested on July 22 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  67. 67. Reza Abiat, arrested on July 23 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  68. 68. Reza Afravi, son of Abbas, 24 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  69. 69. Reza Afravi, son of Abbas, 23 years old and a resident of Alboufari village of Susangerd, date of arrest; Unknown, place of arrest is Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  70. 70. Ra’d Heydari, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  71. 71. Ruhollah Mardani, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  72. 72. Sajad Eshaqi, arrested on July 23 in Mahshahr, latest status: unknown
  73. 73. Sajad Mousavi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  74. 74. Sa’dollah Sasani, arrested on July 22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  75. 75. Siamak Kooshi, arrested on Juky 24 in Tabriz, latest status: released on bail
  76. 76. Seyyed Hassoun Iraqi, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  77. 77. Shahin Barzegar, arrested on 31 July in Tabriz, latest status; unknown
  78. 78. Shahrooz Barzegar, a Turk (Azerbaijani) activist from Tabriz, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: imprisoned in Tabriz prison, bail requested
  79. 79. Sadegh Sa’edi, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  80. 80. Sadegh Abiat, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  81. 81. Saleh Obaidawi, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  82. 82. Salah Khaledi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  83. 83. Samad Ladvandi Nadarli, about 30 years old, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: unknown
  84. 84. Teyban Sa’edi, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  85. 85. Adel Naderi, 40, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  86. 86. Amer Zohairi, son of Khalaf, 18 years old, arrested on July 17 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  87. 87. Abbas Alhaei, Malik’s son, 19 years old, arrested on July 22 in Alhaei, latest status: unknown
  88. 88. Abbas Albunasser, 18, arrested on July 23 in Shadegan, latest status: unknown
  89. 89. Abbas Khoin Vahid, 30 years ol, arrested on July 22 in Alhaei, latest status: unknown
  90. 90. Abbas Daghaghleh, 26 years old, son of Abdol Zahra, arrested on July 23 in Ahvaz, latest status: Unknown
  91. 91. Abbas Zargani, son of Sha’m, 27 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  92. 92. Abbas Sa’edi, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  93. 93. Abbas Savari, son of a Naji, date of arrest; Unknown, arrested in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  94. 94. Abdol Amir Jalali (Abu Yahya), 45 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  95. 95. Abdol Razzaq Vahid, 36 years old, married, arrested on July 22 in Elhaei, latest status: unknown
  96. 96. Abdolreza Soleimani, son of Yaber, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  97. 97. Abdollah Obaidawi, son of Mardav, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  98. 98. Adnan Atabi, 21 years old, from Shavur, arrested on July 25 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  99. 99. Erfan Naderi, arrested on July 26 in Kermanshah, latest status: unknown
  100. 100. Aziz Atabi, 19 years old, arrested on July 25 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  101. 101. Ali Hassanzadeh, arrested in Tehran Latest status: unknown
  102. 102. Ali Khosraji, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  103. 103. Ali Soleimani Tamimi, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  104. 104. Ali Soleimani, son of Yarollah, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  105. 105. Ali Abdol Hossein Gatafeh, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  106. 106. Ali Obaidavi, 23 years old, arrested on July 22 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  107. 107. Ali Agbi, a resident of Beit Khalaf village, date of arrest; Unknown, place of detention; Shavur, latest status: unknown
  108. 108. Ali Amoori, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  109. 109. Ali Ka’b Alhaei, 50 years old, arrested on July 20 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  110. 110. Ali Ka’bi, Heydar’s son, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  111. 111. Ali Mojaddam, son of Issa, arrested on July 22 in Chamran, latest status: unknown
  112. 112. Ali Mohsen Zeidan, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  113. 113. Ali Mazraeh, son of a Shoai’e, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  114. 114. Emad Abiat, son of Rahim, date of arrest; Unknown, Arrested in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  115. 115. Issa Mazraeh, son of Abdolsadeh, arrested on July 16 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  116. 116. Faraj Obaidai, 40 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan, latest status: unknown
  117. 117. Farzad Atabi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  118. 118. Fallah Chaldavi, son of Hassan, 20 years old, married, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  119. 119. Falak Amoori, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  120. 120. Fahad Heydari, son of Rahim, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  121. 121. Faisal Mazraeh, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  122. 122. Qasem Sae’di, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  123. 123. Qasem Savari, son of Mohammad, arrested on July 23 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  124. 124. Qasem Mazraeh, son of Amer, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  125. 125. Kamran Norouzi, arrested in Tehran Last status: unknown
  126. 126. Karim Esmailzadeh, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: released on bail
  127. 127. Majid Hamidi, 30 years old, resident of Mollasani, date of arrest; Unknown, arrested in Ahvaz, latest status: Uunknown
  128. 128. Malek Chaldavi, 28 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan, latest status: unknown
  129. 129. Mubarak Alhaei, son of Vahid, 45 years old, married and father of three children, arrested on July 22 in Alhaei, latest status: unknown
  130. 130. Mojtaba Salehi, son of Mohammad, 18 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  131. 131. Mojtaba Abdoli, arrested on July 23 in Bostan, latest situation; unknown
  132. 132. Majid Mousavi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  133. 133. Mohsen Abbaspour, arrested on 31 July in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  134. 134. Mohammad al-Bushouka, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  135. 135. Mohammad Pourali, arrested on July 22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  136. 136. Mohammad Harizavi, son of Badr, 24 years old, date of arrest: Unknown, arrested in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  137. 137. Mohammad Sakhravi, 23 years old, date of arrest: unknown, place of detention: Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  138. 138. Mohammad Askari, son of Ali, 29 years old, arrested on July 22 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  139. 139. Mohammad Korushat, date of arrest; Unknown, place of detention; Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  140. 140. Mohammad Ka’bi, son of Fakher, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  141. 141. Mohammad Mujaddam, son of Issa, arrested on July 22 in Chamran, latest status: unknown
  142. 142. Mohammad Mahmoudi, arrested on July 24 during the Tabriz rallies, latest status: released on bail
  143. 143. Mohammad Mardi, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest situation; unknown
  144. 144. Mohammad Niazi, arrested in Tehran on July23, latest status: He is detained in the quarantine of the Greater Tehran Prison.
  145. 145. Mohammad Amoori, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  146. 146. Mahmoud Sae’di, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  147. 147. Muslim Echrash, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  148. 148. Mostafa Arfaei, arrested on July 23 in Tehran, latest status: is being held in quarantine in the Greater Tehran Prison.
  149. 149. Mansour Jalali, son of Mohammad, 17 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  150. 150. Mansour Soleimani, son of Yaber, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  151. 151. Mehdi Hamid, arrested on July 19 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  152. 152. Mehdi Khasraji, son of Majid, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  153. 153. Mehdi Zargani, son of Khalaf, 20 years old, arrested on July 22 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  154. 154. Mehdi Zogheibi, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  155. 155. Mehdi Mesbah, arrested in Behbahan Last status: unknown
  156. 156. Meysam Savari, arrested on July 20 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  157. 157. Milad Savari, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  158. 158. Milad Obaidavi, 14 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan, latest status: unknown
  159. 159. Nader Sadeghian, arrested on July 25 in Tabriz, latest situation; unknown
  160. 160. Nader Abiyat, date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  161. 161. Naser Zargani, son of Sha’lan, 27 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  162. 162. Narges Mohammadi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  163. 163. Ne’mat Naderi, arrested on July 26 during a rally in Kermanshah, latest status: unknown
  164. 164. Hadi Mohammadi, date of arrest: unknown, latest status: released on a bail
  165. 165. Hashem Motavari, 27 years old, arrested on July 21 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  166. 166. Vahid Abhari, arrested on July 22 in Tabriz, latest situation: unknown
  167. 167. Vahid Mohammadi, date of arrest: unknown, latest situation: He is imprisoned in Tabriz prison and bail requested
  168. 168. Yarollah Soleimani, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  169. 169. Yashar Piri, arrested on July 22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  170. 170. Yousef Salahshour, a citizen of Tabriz, arrested on July 25, last status: unknown
  171. 171. Yousef Abiawi, 25 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
According to confirmed reports and statistics documented by HRANA, public rallies began on the night of Thursday, July 15, in Khuzestan province due to the frequent water cuts and mismanagement of officials. Protests spreaded to other cities in the country, including Mashhad, Karaj, Saqez, Bojnourd, Ardabil, Tabriz, Aligudarz, Bandar Genaveh, Tehran, Robat Karim, Kermanshah, Meybod, Yazdanshahr and Baharestan of Isfahan, and Janqan section in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

Citizens of Khuzestan marched rallies in at least 26 cities of Ahvaz, Susangerd, Hamidiyeh, Abadan, Kut Abdollah, Khorramshahr, Bandar Mahshahr, Bostan, Mollasani, Shadegan, Hoveyzeh, Abu Homeyzeh, Shavur, Karkheh, Kut Seyed Naeem, Shush, Veys, Chamran, Izeh, Behbahan, Masjed Soleiman, Sheiban, Ramshir, Alhaei, Ramhormoz, and Hor. In total, 41 cities in the country have staged protest rallies.

To have a better view, see the map of the dispersal of the protests from July 15 to July 26:

HRANA has documented and collected a total of 129 verified videos related to the 13 days of protests, which can be viewed on HRANA’s YouTube channel or in the continuation of this report.

 

***

For media interviews, contact Skylar Thompson at [email protected]

 

 

Mass Protests in Khuzestan Continue for Seventh Day

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
ahvaz, Behbahan, Izeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Masjed, Ramshir, Shadegan, Shahrui, Soleyman, Yazdanshahr

Today, the cities of Susangard, Behbahan, Abadan, Izeh, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, Ramhormoz, and Shadegan, staged protest rallies that were confronted by military forces with arrests, tear gas, and bullets.

 

 

Widespread protests started in Khuzestan province on the night of Thursday, July 15, in response to the resource mismanagement that has led to the water crisis. Protests have been going for the past seven days and have spread to at least 22 cities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, at least four civilians and one police officer have been confirmed as killed since the start of the protests. HRANA was able to verify the identities of those killed since Thursday as Meysam Echresh from Taleghani in Mahshahr, Mostafa Naeemawi from Shadegan, Ghasem Naseri from Kut Abdollah, and officer Zargham Parast in Mahshahr. According to local sources, a number of additional citizens have been injured during the protests as well.

Disconnections and a severe decrease in Internet speed in some cities of Khuzestan province have been reported on social media. Previously, a resident of Ahvaz told HRANA that the internet of all carriers is disconnected, and people cannot access the internet through phones.

Received videos show the presence of a large number of military forces around Azadi Square in Tehran and the security atmosphere for facing possible protests.

The scope of the violence against the protesting people of Khuzestan have elicited reactions from numerous different sections of society. In a statement, the Tehran Teachers’ Union condemned the suppression of the Khuzestan protests and blamed the government for the resource problems. 330 artists gave a statement which condemned the suppression of protests and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

Several film and television artists gathered in front of the Artists’ House to show their support. The players of the Abadan Oil Industry soccer team, the Iranian Writers Association, and the Iranian Cinema House all issued statements in support of the protesters, and calling on the relevant authorities to address the situation.

Today, videos broadcasted on social networks show people marching in Yazdanshahr in Isfahan in support of the people of Khuzestan. Also, people in Masjed Soleyman, Ramshir, Shahrui village of Behbahan, and Ahvaz in Khuzestan marched and held protest rallies.

***

Read our fact sheet for more info on what is going on in Khuzestan. For media interviews, contact Skylar Thompson at [email protected]

 

Khuzestan Update: IRIB Confirms that Citizen was Shot and Killed During Last Night’s Protests in Izeh

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, ahvaz, Behbahan, IRIB, Izeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Shadegan, Susangard, Tehran

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) confirmed that a citizen was killed during last night’s protests in Izeh, Khuzestan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Actiists, the IRIB report did not specify the identity of the killed citizen. However, it described his death as a result of a “suspicious” shooting—notably vague phrasing, considering that the overwhelming majority of gunfire throughout the protests has come from government forces.

Widespread protest rallies in Khuzestan started Thursday, July 15, in response to the negligence of officials that led to frequent cuts of drinking water and the drying of Karun River.

The demonstrations against the water cuts and lack of proper resource management continued yesterday into their sixth day. Rallies were held in Susangard, Behbahan, Abadan, Izeh, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr and Shadegan.

Hassan Nabovati, acting governor of Izeh, stated that one police officer was killed and another injured during the protests in Mahshahr last night.

As released videos show, the protests in Izeh were disrupted by violence from military forces. There were reports of military officers spraying tear gas and opening fire at protesters.

Activist Arrests and Tear Gas: Khuzestan Protests Continue Into Sixth Day

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, ahvaz, arash kaykhosravi, Arash Sadeghi, Behzad Homayouni, Hamid Asefi, iran protests, Izeh, Jafar Azimzadeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan protests, Khuzestan water crisis, Narges Mohammadi, Pooran Nazemi, Rasoul Bodaghi, Ruhollah Mardani, Shadegan, Susangard

Today, July 20, the widespread protests in Khuzestan over the ongoing water crisis continued for a sixth consecutive day. Since the start of the protests on Thursday, provincial authorities have confirmed that at least two civilians have been killed by military forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, today’s protests took place in the cities of Izeh, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, Shadegan, Abadan, Susangard, and Behbahan. HRANA received reports of shootings and internet shutdowns in some areas, as well as a report of the death of a protester, but neither have been confirmed as of this writing.

Today a number of prominent civil activists also gathered in Tehran to voice their support for the protesters in Khuzestan, and were met with violence from security forces. Activists Narges Mohammadi, Arash Sadeghi, Arash Kaykhosravi, Ruhollah Mardani, Jafar Azimzadeh, Rasoul Bodaghi, Pooran Nazemi, Hamid Asefi, and Behzad Homayouni were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location.

Below is our updated map of the protests of the last five days.

Watch our compilation of footage from the protests.

Read our fact sheet for more info on what is going on in Khuzestan.

Five Day Summary: Recap of Ongoing Protests over Water Crisis in Khuzestan

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, Abou Homeyzeh in Khuzestan Province, ahvaz, Ahvaz city, Bandar Mahshahr, Bostan, hamidiyeh, Hoveyzeh, Karkheh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Kut Abdollah, Kut Seyed Naeem, Mashhad, Mollasani, Shadegan, Shavur, Shush, Shush city, Susangard

Today, July 19, the widespread protests in Khuzestan over the mismanagement of officials regarding the ongoing water crisis continued for a fifth consecutive day. Since the start of the protests on Thursday, provincial authorities have confirmed that at least two civilians have been killed by military forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, today’s rallies in Khuzestan took place in Hamidiyeh, Ahvaz, Kut Abdullah, Susangard, Ramhormoz, Mahshahr, Khorramshahr, Veys, and Chamranhere. There were no reports of violence or shootings by government forces except a report from Chamran city, which seems to be aerial shooting.

 

 

The weekend’s demonstrations also saw heavy escalation. As shown in videos previously published by HRANA, the Susangard protests were responded to with violence from on-duty military forces this Sunday. In multiple areas police opened fire on unarmed protesters.

The protestors blocked the roads connecting Ahvaz to Khorramshahr and Ahvaz to Shush by lighting fires. There have also reportedly been sporadic internet outages across the province.

Since the second day of the protests, provincial officials have confirmed that two citizens, 30-year-old Mostafa Naeemawi from Shadegan, and 17-year-old Ghasem Naseri (Khaziri) from the Kut Abdollah area of Ahvaz, were killed during the protests. HRANA has received reports, which have yet to be verified, of a third civilian additionally being shot dead by military forces.

Previously, the governor of Khuzestan said,  “The published videos of the protests in the province are fake and no protest has taken place.”

“Some seek to provoke the people and publish fake images of the protests in cyberspace,” the governor  further stated. “For example, nothing has happened in the cities of Khorramshahr and Susangard, but clips related to the past events are published in cyberspace!”

Public rallies to protest the water cuts and lack of access to drinking water began on the night of Thursday, July 15, and have spread to at least 17 cities so far.

During the last four days, people protested in at least 17 cities, including Shavur, Karkheh, Kut Seyed Naeem, Shush, Ahvaz, Abadan, Hamidiyeh, Bostan, Susangard, Bandar Mahshahr, Khorramshahr, Shadegan, Kut Abdollah, Mollasani, Hoveyzeh, and Abou Homeyzeh in Khuzestan Province and Mashhad. In some of the released videos, the sounds of gunfire can be heard, and a recurring theme across the footage is the heavy presence of armed military and security forces.

Local sources published reports, as of yet unverified, that several protesting citizens were injured and many others were detained in the city of Khorramshahr. So far, Abdolreza Soleimani, Darem Soleimani, Mansour Soleimani, Yarullah Soleimani and his son Ali Soleimani, all residents of Khorramshahr, are reportedly detained.

Workers at the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company supported protests in Khuzestan during their rally and march on Sunday, July 18.

A resident of Ahvaz told HRANA about the situation in the city, “Special forces from other places are quickly (being) deployed to Ahvaz to suppress young protestors. Access to drinking water is one of the most basic civil rights. While Khuzestan was once considered the most water-rich province in the country, the mismanagement has led to the crisis of supply of drinking water in Khuzestan to become a serious challenge for people.”

Mahmoud Ahmadi Bighash, a representative of Shazand City in Parliament, said that providing water and development is an immediate responsibility of the entire government. Bighash wrote in a tweet:

“The situation in Khuzestan is concerning, I point it out indirectly, be very careful about what happened in Khuzestan; open all the [Karun River’s] water sources to quench Khuzestan’s thirst and put out the fire.”

Abdullah Izad Panah, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Khuzestan, also gave a statement in a recent meeting about crisis management in which he criticized the water transfer projects in the province.

“Water transfer projects should be stopped,” the representative said. “Drought is just one side of the issue. The transfer of water has caused Khuzestan to fall to this condition.”

Earlier, Jalil Mokhtar, the representative of Abadan, considered the problems caused by the transfer of water from Khuzestan province to other provinces, and mismanagement.

“Unfortunately, we have witnessed the water transfer from Khuzestan to other areas based on government approvals,” Mokhtar said. “Khuzestan, which was a fertile plain, is now on a desertification path.”

The Human Rights Defenders Association wrote an open letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing concern about the suppression of protesters of the water crisis by security officials and calling for an end to the suppression.

“Khuzestan province, despite having rich oil resources, is among the most deprived provinces in Iran, and its residents are facing a high range unemployment, losing water sources, polluted air, and frequent power outages, so their protests are completely justified, and the response must not be bullets and imprisonment.”

Watch our compilation of video footage taken at various protests throughout the province.

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Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

HRANA Recap: Recent Arrests and Detentions

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Ahmad Gergij, Arsalan Kamalzehi, Buchanan, Karim Sameri, Mahboubeh Farahzadi, Mehrestan, Mohammad Nahtani, Mohammad Naroui, Qom, Rahim Safarzehi, Razavi Khorasan Province, riots in Astara and Ardabil, Shadegan, Soran Sharifian, Younes Gergij

Mahboubeh Farahzadi arrested and charged in Evin Court

 

On May 29, retired teacher, union activist and member of the Iranian Women’s Voice Association Mahboubeh Farahzadi was arrested.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists (HRA), quoting The Free Union of Iranian Workers, Farahzadi was released on bail later after the charges were explained to her by Branch 7 of Evin Court.

 

 

Karim Sameri arrested by security forces in Shadegan

 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on May 29, Shadegan resident Karim Sameri was arrested by security forces after he filmed a funeral and poetry night held for the child of a famous local poet.

 

 

Citizen detained by security forces in Mehrestan

 

On May 28, Arsalan Kamalzehi, son of Kamhan, was arrested by security forces in the city of Mehrestan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Baloch Activists Campaign, the report states that Kamalzehi was arrested for inviting people to boycott the presidential election. As of this writing, no information is available on the charges against him or where he is being held.

 

Citizen arrested by security forces in Buchanan

 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Soran Sharifian, a resident of Buchan County working in one of the county clinics was arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location on May 24.

An informed source said that the citizen was arrested without a court order and that the security forces confiscated some of his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, computer, and books. Despite the pursuit of Mr. Sharifian’s family, the location of the detention and the charges against him are unknown.

 

 

 

13 people detained under pretext of “opposition to the regime” in riots in Astara and Ardabil

 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) , 13 citizens were recently arrested in Astara and Ardabil following protests and clashes between residents. The report did not specify the identities or whereabouts of the detainees.

 

At least 5 citizens detained by security forces in the city of Shahrabad, in Razavi Khorasan Province

 

 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting RASANKNEWS, Mohammad Nahtani, Mohammad Naroui, Rahim Safarzehi, Ahmad Gergij, son of Aziz, and Younes Gergij, son of Nawab Khan, were arrested by security forces in the village of Shahrabad, Mashhad.

These citizens were beaten and violated at the time of arrest and their homes were searched without court order. According to local sources, a few other citizens whose identities are still unknown were detained in the village as well. As of this writing, their whereabouts and the reasons for their detention are unknown.

 

Instagram page admin arrested in Qom

 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna, the chief officer of the Iranian Cyber Police of Qom announced the recognition and arrest of an Instagram page admin for what he called the “publication of unusual images”. The admin was handed over to judicial authorities after the investigation was completed.

 

 

Four Months Report of Workers’ Conditions in Iran

Posted on by admin-hr
Labor and Guilds
Abejdan, Ajand construction company, Ali Kashefi, Alireza Saghafi, Amir Amirgholi, Amirhosein Mohammadifar, Andimeshk municipality, Atefe Rangriz, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Borujerd Saman Tile, Chame Shir dam in Gachsaran, Choghazanbil world heritage site, Davoud Rezaei, Ebrahim Abbasmanjazi, Eghbal Shabani, Ehsan Ziaraty, Esmail Bakhshi, Farahnaz Shiri, Farhad Sheykhi, Farzaneh Zilabi, Ghodratollah Jalalvand, Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry, Haleh Safarzadeh, Hamid Mohammadipour, Hasan Saidi, HEPCO, Ilam, Iran Railways, Jafar Azimzadeh, Jahan Vegetable Oil Factory, Keyvan Samimi, Kurdistan’s Zagros Steel, Mahshahr petrochemical plant, Marzie Amiri, Maziar Seyyednejad, Nahid Khodaju, Namazi Hospital in Shiraz, Nasrin Javadi, Neda Naji, Parsabad-e-Moghan municipalities, Parvin Mohammadi, Rahim Khodabakhshi, Rasht, Reza Amjadi, Reza Shahabi, Saham-e-Edalat cooperative company, Sanaz Allahyari, Sedeh, Shadegan, South Pars Gas Field workers, Takestan Wire company, Tehran subway, Tofigh Mohammadi, Travers technical buildings lines, Valeh Zamani, Zaniar Dabaghian

Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) – The following is a four months overview of workers’ rights violations in Iran between February and May 2019, per information compiled and verified by the Statistics, Publications, and Achievements Division of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI).

Domestic restrictions in Iran on independent human rights reporting make it difficult to capture the full extent of these issues on the ground. The following overview draws on the work of HRANA reporters, as well as a network of independent and verifiable sources, including other human rights associations operating outside of Iran’s borders.

 

Monthly Report of Workers in Iran in February 2019

Several workers were arrested and faced trial in February. Also, the purchasing power of workers was steadily decreased in this month. Abdolreza Azizi, a member of the Social Affairs Committee of the Iranian Parliament stated that workers have lost 70 percent of their purchasing power. Tens of workers died or were injured because of the lack of work safety and hundreds of them were laid off. Another ongoing problem for workers was having unpaid wages this month.

The unpaid wages were issues of concern for many of Iranian workers, for instance, workers of Borujerd Saman Tile, nurses of Azadi Hospital in Tehran, Abejdan (in Andika county) municipality workers, workers of Rasht, Sedeh, Ilam, Shadegan, and Parsabad-e-Moghan municipalities, workers of Jahan Vegetable Oil Factory, South Pars Gas Field workers, workers of the Saham-e-Edalat cooperative company, nurses of Namazi Hospital in Shiraz, technical workers of Iran Railways, workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry, Tehran subway, and Mashhad telecommunications had unpaid wages during this month.

Moreover, some of the workers in Iran Powder Metallurgy Complex, factories in Asaluyeh and Pars Saveh tire factory were fired or laid off this month. 500 workers of factories in Qazvin province were suspended and 800 workers were laid off in Asaluyeh as well. On the other hand, 52 workers died or were injured because of negligence in the oversight of safety conditions in their workplaces.

Three prominent labor activists, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Jafar Azimzadeh, and Parvin Mohammadi were detained. The request of temporary release on bail for Parvin Mohammadi was denied by the Branch 102 of Fardis’s Criminal Court. Esmail Bakhshi, the detained labor activist of Haft Tappeh, faced three new charges: “spreading lies”, “propaganda against the state”, and “insulting to authorities”. Esmail Bakhshi’s attorney, Farzaneh Zilabi was summoned to the Branch three of the Shush county’s Revolutionary and General prosecutor’s office. In the same month, officers of Shush prosecutor’s office physically attacked Bakhshi’s sister and handcuffed his mother. This happened when his family was following up on his lawsuit. Later the family of this labor activist were summoned to the court.

In February, the attorney of several workers of Arak HEPCO reported that the cases of seven workers of this company were transferred to the Revolutionary Court. In 2018, 15 workers were sentenced to prison and lashes after last year’s protests. The appellate session of Davood Razaei, a board member of the syndicate of workers of Tehran and suburbs bus company, was held in the Branch 36 of Tehran Appellate Court. He was sentenced to five years in prison by the Branch 26 of the Revolution Court. Eghbal Shabani, labor activist in Sanandaj was arrested and Zaniar Dabaghian, another labor activist from Sanandaj, was sentenced to one-year prison term. A journalist was arrested in Qazvin because of reporting workers’ news in this month.

 

Monthly Report of Workers in Iran in March 2019

Several workers and activists were arrests, summoned, sentenced, received lash sentences, and were fired during this month.  Because of the lack of work safety, many workers died or were injured. Also, it has been stated that tens of thousands of workers encountered financial hardship because of their unpaid wages.

47 workers died or were injured because of negligence in the oversight of safety conditions in their workplaces. The workers of Takestan Wire company, Ajand construction company, Chame Shir dam in Gachsaran, Travers technical buildings lines, Andimeshk municipality, Choghazanbil world heritage site, Kurdistan’s Zagros Steel Contractors, and Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry have unpaid wages in this month.

Ali Kashefi, chairman of Mashhad laundries union, reported that 50 businesses were closed, and their workers were unemployed; due to last year’s high inflation. Some of the waste collectors of Sadra municipality who already have three months of unpaid wages and were protesting for their unpaid wages were fired. At the middle of March, which is the Persian new year, chairman of the pioneers of labor union of workers society announced that at least 97300 workers had unpaid wages prior to the New Year’s Eve.

Jafar Azimzadeh, chairman of the Free Workers Union was sentences to 30 lashes. Parvin Mohammadi, vice president of this union was released on bail. Meanwhile, Esmail Bakhshi was transferred from Shush prison to Sheiban prison in Ahvaz.

Moreover, several citizens were arrested protesting against firing waste collectors of Sadra municipality. Rahim Khodabakhshi, general secretary of Shiraz University’s Arman union, Ehsan Ziaraty, head of Shiraz University’s Basij Student Organization, and Hamid Mohammadpour, former secretary of Arman union were among the detainees. Ebrahim Abbasmanjazi, one of the workers of Haft Tappeh was summoned to Shush’s prosecutor’s interrogating office by a notice. After interrogation and charging accusations, he was temporarily released.

The Banch 36 of Tehran’s Appeals Court sentenced Davood Razavi, member of Tehran ‌Bus Company’s workers’ labor union board, to five years in prison. According to the verdict, this decision is suspended for five years. Also, Maziar Seyyednejad, a labor activist who was arrested 3 months ago for workers’ protests in Khuzestan, was released from Sheiban prison of Ahvaz on bail until completion of the juristic process. He was treated terribly during his prison time.

Two other labor activists, Ghodratollah Jalalvand and Reza Amjadi, were arrested in this month by security officials and were moved to an unknown location. Reza Amjadi was released after a few days by bail until completion of the juristic process.

 

Monthly Report of Workers in Iran in April 2019

One of the most important news in this month was arresting and summon of labor activists and the security authorities’ pressure to prevent celebratory events for the international Labor Day. Tehran Bus Company’s workers’ union invited workers to protest by the Parliament building on May 1st. Some of the businesses were shut down and a lot of workers were laid off in this month, because of high inflation and rising costs of production.

105 workers died or were injured because of the lack of work safety. The worker of Oshnavieh municipality, Iran Powder Metallurgy factory, Ilam industrial slaughterhouse, Tehran Metro lines 1 and 4 services, Ahvaz Steel,Rasht and Sari municipalities, Cement production factory of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iranian railway company, Dehdasht hospital, Iran telecommunication company, and teachers of the schools outside Iran had unpaid wages this month. Chief executive officer of Hamshahri institute, the official news agency of Tehran municipality, stated that 104 of this institute’s personnel were laid off. 50 workers of Mojan engineering company, construction contractor of the central sewage treatment plant in the Bandar Emam petrochemical plant and 35 other workers in Keyvan food industries in Hamadan province were laid off.

Executive secretary of Mazandaran province worker’s house announced Neka Choob company was out of business and its workers were laid off. Tehran Bus Company’s workers’ union invited the workers to attend a protest by the Parliament on May 1st, in commemoration of the international Labor Day.

Amir Amirgholi, Sanaz Allahyari and Amirhosein Mohammadifar, members of “Gam”, a labor right defendant magazine, were detained. Thus, detention was one of the most important news on workers in April. Amir Amirgholi and Esmail Bakhshi were transferred from Ahvaz prisons to Evin prison in Tehran and their investigation trial was held in the Evin prosecutor’s office. Three labor activists, Ghaleb Hoseini, Mozafar Salehnia and Ahmad Taghizadeh, in the cities of Sanandaj and Urmiah were summoned by these cities ‘security authorities before labor’s day. Twelve labor activists in Jahannama Park of Karaj were arrested as well. Four of them, Parvin Mohammadi, Valeh Zamani, Alireza Saghafi, and Haleh Safarzadeh, were detained.

 

Monthly Report of Workers in Iran in May 2019

‏ The most important news in this month was the arrest of more than 50 labor activists and citizens on the international labor’s day celebration in May, by the Parliament. Meanwhile, hundreds of workers were laid off because of businesses’ shut down. In this month, Reza Shahabi attended the General Conference of Labor in Dijon/France.

106 workers died or were injured because of negligence in the oversight of safety conditions in their workplaces. On the other hand, more than 50 workers of “Navard Ivan” steel company who were working for more than 10 years in this factory, were laid off because of this factory being out of business. Also, more than 100 workers of Mahshahr Pipe Mill and Kurdistan Alborz tire, and 140 workers of Mahshahr petrochemical plant were laid off in this month. Meanwhile, 263 laid off workers of Asaluyeh South Pars, who had unpaid wages and premiums, wrote a letter to the minister of oil and demanded their rights. They wrote in their letter, that they “collect bread waste” for living.

‏In this month, Reza Shahabi attended the 52nd  Congress of the General Confederation of Labor in Dijon/France as the representative of the Tehran Bus Company’s workers’ union. He reported that Farahnaz Shiri, the first female bus driver in Tehran Bus Company was fired because of her gender. He also spoke about the problems and limitations of workers in this company.

‏Unpaid wages of the teachers around the country, workers of Ghoo vegetable oil company of Tehran, Ilam slaughterhouse, RSTC of Arak, Tabriz, and Shazand, Mahabad and Tabas municipalities, sugar beet farmers of Naghdeh sugar production company, coal mine workers of Malach Aram mine, physicians of Yazd University of Medical Sciences, and Karj Imam Khomeini hospital workers, wee one of the other problems which workers were encountering this month.

‏More than 50 people were arrested during the international labor day’s ceremony which was held by the Parliament. Despite release of some of the detainees by bail, some others like Marzie Amiri, Keyvan Samimi, Hasan Saidi, Atefe Rangriz, Nasrin Javadi, Nahid Khodaju, Neda Naji and Farhad Sheykhi were in custody, being in prions for about a month.

Representatives of labor unions of many countries around the world attending the 52nd Congress of the General Confederation of Labor in Dijon/France and Amnesty International, released two separated statements and demanded setting detainees of international Labor Day free without any conditions. Cases of labor activists, Esmail Bakhshi, Sepideh Gholian, Amir Amirgholi, Sanaz Allahyari, Amirhossein Mohammadifar, Asal Mohammadi and Ali Nejati, were sent to the Tehran’s Revolution Court. Although a bond was set for the detainees, the head of Evin prosecutor’s office prevented their release on bail. In addition, two labor activists in Sanandaj, Tofigh Mohammadi and Eghbal Shabani, were sentenced to two years in prison. More than 10 workers of Haft Tappeh were arrested or summoned by security authorities. There exact number of these workers is not known. They were arrested or summoned because of protesting the Islamic Labor Council of Haft Tappeh. Eshagh Rouhi, a labor activist from Sanandaj who was arrested at the same time of international Labor Day, was unable to pay the set bail and was held in prison. The trial of labor activist, Maziar Seyyednejad, was held in this month by the Revolution Court of Ahvaz.

 

A Daily Overview of Human Rights Violations in Iran for January 23, 2019

Posted on by admin-hr
Other
Arsham Rezaei, Borujerd, Esmail Bakhshi, Esmat Salahshour, Evin Prison, Gheis Chaian, Hassan Alvani, Iraj Mohammadi, Kerman Motors, Leila Mir-Ghaffari, Majid Hosseini, Majid Reza Souzanchi Kashani, Malek Abdollahi, Marivan, Mokhtar Zarei, Narges Mohammadi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Rahman Jasbi Zargani, Saeed Shirzad, Sepideh Gholian, Shadegan, Sohrab Nosrati, Yashar Soltani

The following is an overview of human rights violations in Iran on January 23rd, 2019 based on the information compiled and verified by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

(1) At least six protests were organized across the country on January 23, 2019. The municipality workers in Marivan, Borujerd, and Shadegan, the retired employees in Tehran, costumers of Kerman Motors in Tehran, and the families of victims’ of Sanchi oil tanker collision have held separate protests to request their redemands.

(2) The authorities of Evin prison refused to transfer Narges Mohammadi and Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe to a hospital. Mohammadi is in urgent need of medical care such as anti-seizure drugs.

(3) Esmat Salahshour was sentenced to five years imprisonment in Urmia, on the charge of “cooperation with a Kurdish opposition group”. Mokhtar Zarei has been tried in absentia and was sentenced to three years in prison. He is accused of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “propaganda against the state”.

(4) Yashar Soltani, director of Memari News website, was sentenced to five years in prison, and was banned for two years form traveling, membership in any social or political group, and internet activism. He was arrested in 2016 after he reported on alleged corruption in Tehran’s municipal government.

(5) Majid Hosseini was released on bail today. He was transferred from solitary confinement to the quarantine ward of Evin prison recently. Arsham rezaei who was arrested with him, is still in prison. He was arrested with Arsham Rezaei on the charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “collusion against the state”.

(6) Iraj Mohammadi was released on bail after ten days, in Miandoab. He was accused of “propaganda against the state” because a former political prisoner transferred the amount of money into Mohammadi’s bank account.

(7) Leila Mir-Ghaffari was sentenced to paying fines for de-veiling. In October she was sentenced to two-year in prison for having pointed to a picture on the wall. Mir-Ghaffari was initially detained for supporting the “Girls of Enghelab Street.”

(8) Rahman Jasbi Zargani who was married and had two children, was executed in Sepidar prison in Ahvaz on the charge of murder. He was accused of murdering his cousin in a fight in 2009. In 2018, at least 236 people have been executed and 195 people have been sentenced to death in Iran.

(9) Sepideh Gholian was detained in the Intelligence Ministry’s detention center in Ahvaz but Esmail Bakhshi ‘s whereabouts is still unknown. They have been rearrested after the broadcast of their under-torture confessions on the national television. Their families have been under pressure from security forces not to discuss the matter publicly. Moreover, Amnesty International warns that they are at grave risk of further torture.

(10) Saeed Shirzad, a political prisoner in Rajaee Shahr prison in Karaj, has been refused urgent medical care despite doctors requested his transfer to hospital for his severe kidneys’ failure a month ago. While the prosecutor’s office has assured that he would receive treatment a month ago, prison authorities have prevented this transfer.

(11) Two workers died and one was injured in Charmshahr village in Tehran province because of negligence in the oversight of safety conditions in their workplace. Iran ranked 102 in the workplace safety among other countries.

(12) Four female prisoners including a juvenile offender, accused of murder were spared from hanging on gallows by consent of next of kin in Shahr-e Rey prison. In addition, Sohrab Nosrati was saved from execution in Rajaee shahr prison in Karaj.

(13) Two thousand workers of Abadan municipality have unpaid wages. The workers of Ghoflkar Company in Qazvin have held a protest to request their unpaid wages on Tuesday.

(14) Ahwazi Arab citizens, Hassan Alvani, Malek Abdollahi, and Gheis Chaian have been arrested by security forces in Ahvaz and Shush. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

(15) Tehran appeals court sentenced Christian converted ,Majid Reza Souzanchi Kashani, to two-year prison term. He was charged with “membership in evangelical groups” and “evangelical-related activities”.

(16) The arrest of 11 poachers in Sarab and 160 illegal tree removals in Bandar Abbas have been reported by the Department of Enviroment.