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


 

Journalist Parisa Salehi Receives One-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Penalties

Journalist Parisa Salehi has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. In addition to imprisonment, she faces exile, a travel ban, and restrictions on internet and social media usage.

Salehi disclosed that Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, issued the verdict, imposing a one-year prison term, a two-year ban on leaving the country, a mandatory two-year residence in Zanjan, and limitations on internet and social media usage for two years for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In September 2023, security forces conducted a comprehensive search of Salehi’s residence, leading to her subsequent summons to the Karaj courthouse. There, she was indicted and later released on bond.

Salehi is a journalist at Donya-e-Eqtesad Newspaper and a master’s student in economics at the University of Tehran.

Iran Protests: Student Amir Azizi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

The Tehran Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict against Amir Azizi who was arrested at protests. Azizi, an architecture student at the University of Tehran, was initially sentenced to 11 years in prison and 74 lashes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, student Amir Azizi was sentenced to 11 years in prison and 74 lashes.

According to this verdict, Azizi was given five years for “acting against national security through inciting violence,” three years and 74 lashes for “disturbing public opinion on the Internet,” two years for “assembly and collusion to commit a crime,” and one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison for the first charge mentioned above will be enforceable to him.

On December 14, Azizi endured flogging in the Great Tehran Penitentiary.

 

University of Tehran Reverses Expulsion of Imprisoned Gonabadi Dervish Student Kasra Nouri

On July 5, the University of Tehran reversed its decision to expel Gonabadi Dervish graduate student Kasra Nouri .

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Nouri had previously been expelled from the University of Tehran for “truancy”, or, missing class while serving out a sentence in Adelabad Prison.

This expulsion violated the Constitution and the International Convention on Cultural and Social Rights, which holds that students must be allowed to continue their education following the completion of a prison sentence.

After repeated follow-ups by Shokufeh Yadollahi, Kasra Nouri’s mother, a letter was received from the University of Tehran canceling the expulsion of the imprisoned Gonabadi Dervish. According to the letter, Nouri will be permitted to continue his studies after he has endured the entirety of his sentence.

Farshid Yadollahi, Kasra Nouri’s lawyer had previously mentioned that Mr. Nouri’s expulsion from the university was against the constitution and the International Convention on Cultural and Social Rights and emphasized that, “When Kasra Nouri went to prison, the family informed the university, meaning everyone knew he was in prison.”

345 Students at the University of Tehran Sign Letter Protesting Expulsion of Kasra Nouri

Today, June 28, 345 students at the University of Tehran published letters addressed to the president of the university stating that Kasra Nouri’s expulsion was illegal.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kasra Nouri, a Gonabadi Dervish currently serving out a sentence in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, was expelled from the University of Tehran for truancy.

“According to the executive order of the students’ disciplinary regulations, the University of Tehran has committed a completely illegal act in expelling the student’s optical fraction in addition to the elimination and police action,” the letter reads.

The full text of the letter follows:

 

Dear Dr. Nili,
President of the University of Tehran
Pursuant to Note 1 of Article 113 of the Executive Procedure of the Student Disciplinary Code, which explicitly states: The convict can continue his / her education and the university will assist the student in continuing his / her education as appropriate; If the term of the sentence is longer than the permitted period of study, the university will adapt the way of continuing education to the new educational situation. ”
Kasra Nouri has been imprisoned since February 2018, and it is practically impossible for him to go to university, and he should be dealt with under this note.
Therefore, we, the students of the University of Tehran, who are the signatories of this letter, strongly demand that the illegal expulsion of Kasra Nouri from the university be revoked immediately. ”

 

Kasra Nouri, a graduate student who had been pursuing a degree in human rights at the University of Tehran and was one of the webmasters of the website “Majzooban Noor” , was arrested during the Golestan 7 Incident at dawn on March 22, 2017, along with hundreds of other Gonabadi Dervishes, and transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Mr. Nouri was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge  Ahmadzadeh,  to 12 years in prison, 74 lashes, 2 years in exile to Babajani, a 2-year ban on leaving the country, and 2 year ban from of membership in groups and political parties. Of this sentence, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code,  7 and a half years were enforceable.

Nouri was transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz in December 2019. On March 29, he was once again transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

Kasra Nouri was born in 1990. He had previously spent a period of imprisonment in No. 100 Shiraz Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, and Evin Prison in Tehran from 2011 to mid-2015 for  his online advocacy work for Gonabadi Dervishes.

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Gonabadi Dervish Student Kasra Nouri Expelled from the University of Tehran for Missing Class While Imprisoned

Kasra Nouri, a Gonabadi Dervish imprisoned in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, was expelled by the University of Tehran for truancy.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, this violates disciplinary regulations that stipulate that, in cases of prosecution that leads to a student’s temporary imprisonment, the student must be allowed to complete their studies after completing the sentence (and that the duration of the sentence must not be counted as part of the student’s academic years).

Today, June 25, Kasra Nouri’s brother has published a picture of a letter from the University of Tehran Office of Academic Affairs issued last November which says that Mr. Kasra Nouri has been dismissed from his studies for failing to attend classes.

Nouri was a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Human Rights at the University of Tehran, and one of the webmasters of the Majzooban Noor website.  He was arrested in February 2018, along with hundreds of other Gonabadi Dervishes, and then transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Ahmadzadeh, sentenced Mr. Nouri to 12 years in prison, 74 lashes, 2 years in exile in Babajani town,  a 2 year ban from leaving the country, and 2 years deprivation of membership in political groups, parties, and media activities. Seven and a half years of imprisonment are enforceable to Mr. Nouri.

Noiri had previously endured 4 years in prison from 2011 to mid-2015 for media activities for Gonabadi Dervishes.

Ahmad Reza Jalali’s Lawyer Expresses Concern About His Condition in Evin Prison

Ahmad Reza Jalali’s lawyer, Helaleh Mousavian, has expressed concern about her client’s condition in Evin Prison. According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Reza Jalali is a university professor and dual citizen of Iran and Sweden currently on death row.

The professor, who traveled to Iran in May 2016 at the invitation of the University of Tehran, was arrested by security forces on charges of “moharebeh through espionage for Israel”. Moharebeh, loosely translated as “waging war against God”, is a pillar of Sharia Law that is typically applied to those suspected of connection to any acts against the state.

Mr. Jalali was sentenced to death for espionage, and the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2017.

Ahmad Reza Jalali worked at the Center for Natural Disasters after graduating from medical school in Iran. He immigrated to Sweden in 2009 to continue his studies and earned a doctorate. He completed his postdoctoral in Disaster Medicine at the University of Piedmont in Italy, and later, settled in Sweden with his wife and two children.

According to a HRANA report published in November 2020, Ahmad Reza Jalali was transferred to solitary confinement for a week to be prepared for execution. In December of that year, Ms. Mousavian was informed that her client’s death sentence was put on hold and he was transferred to ward 209 of Evin prison.

“Fortunately, Mr. Jalali was transferred to a public ward in April, but so far, despite all the efforts, his death sentence has not changed,” Mousavian said. “I am very worried about my client, especially now that the presidential election is over and the result is out. Despite my repeated expressions of concern, no effective action has been taken by the country of dual citizenship and the European Union.”