Opinion: Women Key to Change in Iran As Human Rights Flatline

JULY 14, 2018

By Rose Rastbaf

Iran has posed policy dilemmas for the United States for decades, ever since the revolutionary transfer of power from the pro-Western Pahlavi dynasty to the Islamic Republic. A commonly touted belief is that moderation and reform are the only pathways to sincere change, but in the words of Sen. Lindsey Graham, “There are no moderates in Iran; they’ve been killed a long time ago.” This statement remains as true as ever, despite the reelection of the supposedly more tolerant Hassan Rouhani.

One of the simplest ways of gauging this reality is the condition of women in Iran. Serious concerns persist despite promises of a liberalized economy and the curtailing of abuses; in fact, women’s rights have actually deteriorated. Women continue to face discrimination as judiciary groups crack down on the compulsory dress code and restrict rudimentary freedoms even under the “moderate” Rouhani.

While Iran remains in the headlines, little attention is paid to these stark realities, and women’s voices remain noticeably absent in these conversations.

Amnesty Calls On Iran to Ensure Right to Safe Drinking Water

Critics say mismanagement by the authorities, combined with years of drought, has led to a drop in river and groundwater levels, sparking water shortages.

July 07, 2018

 Amnesty International has called on Iran to ensure that Iranians have access to clean water and also to carry out an independent investigation into reports that security forces used “unnecessary and excessive force” against those who peacefully protested in Khuzestan Province over water scarcity and pollution.

“Iranian authorities should also ensure that people in Khuzestan and other provinces across Iran enjoy their right to access sufficient amounts of safe drinking water for personal and domestic uses,” the rights group said in a July 6 statement.

Family of Jailed Activist in Iran Concerned He Will Be killed in Prison

Iran Ahead of the scheduled execution on Thursday of Ramin Hossein Panahi, a 22-year-old man from Iran’s Kurdish minority who was sentenced to death in January for “taking up arms against the state

July 07, 2018

The brother of an Iranian Kurdish man on death row says the prison authorities have told the dissident that he would either be executed or killed behind bars.

Arrested in June 2016 for alleged membership in the Kurdish Nationalist party (Komala), 23-year old Ramin Hossein Panahi is currently incarcerated in the central prison of Sanandaj, capital city of Kurdistan province, western Iran.

Hossein Panahi was charged with taking up arms against the Islamic Republic and sentenced to death by a Revolution Court in January 2018. Later the Supreme Court upheld the decision.

In a tweet on Thursday, July 5, Ramin’s brother, Amjad Hossein Panahi cited authorities of the prison in Sanandaj as warning the young dissident, “You are not going to leave this block, and will either be executed, or killed in the prison.”

Kilgour: Harper was right to speak out on Iran

People hold pictures of relatives killed by the Mohllas regime, during "Free Iran 2018 - the Alternative" event on June 30, 2018 in Villepinte, north of Paris during the Iranian resistance national council (CNRI) annual meeting. ZAKARIA ABDELKAFI / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

DAVID KILGOUR

July 7, 2018

The criticism levelled at former prime minister Stephen Harper for speaking to a “Free Iran” rally near Paris last Saturday is unfair. At that rally, Harper thanked the tens of thousands of participants for their “long battle for a free and democratic Iran,” without endorsing any political party.

Harper wasn’t alone at the rally. Canada’s delegation at the event included the former prime minister, Liberal MP Judy Sgro, former Conservative foreign minister John Baird, former Liberal MP Raymonde Folco, former Conservative MP Paul Forseth, Liberal supporter David Matas, Conservative MP Candice Bergen, and me, a former Liberal cabinet minister.

Protests In Iran Continue Despite Maximum Suppression

• Protests In Iran Continue Despite Maximum Suppression

July 7, 2018

The continuation of the protest movement despite maximum suppression in Iran

The Iranian regime has two “main characteristics.” The first is exporting terrorism and warmongering in the region and beyond. The second is brutal repression designed to intimidate the Iranian people in their own country.

Since the January 2018 uprising, signs of real change in Iran leading to the regime’s overthrow have become manifest.

AN END TO LEGAL RIGHTS IN IRAN

07 July 2018

By INU Staff

INU - An end to legal rights in IranDespite promises from President Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian Regime’s judiciary is increasing its efforts to strip defendants of their civil and legal rights, including due process, according to political scientist Dr Majid Rafizadeh.

Rouhani has promised to promote human rights in Iran, including freedom of speech, the press and assembly, on numerous occasions since he first ran for office in 2013, but he never actually intended to protect these rights, which is why it is not surprising that he has failed.

Rapporteur On Human Rights In Iran

Geneva -- Newly appointed Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Javid Rehman, undated.

July 07, 2018

Javid Rehman, a British-Pakistani legal scholar has been appointed as U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran.

Rehman first studied in Pakistan and then continued his law studies in Great Britain, where he became professor of law and led the Brunel Law School.

He is an scholar of international and Islamic law and is also considered an expert on terrorism. He has previously worked with the U.N. on issues of protection of minorities and banning torture.