Minorities

'Arab Iranians part of Green Movement' says Arab activist

Green Coordination Council condemns clampdowns on Iranian Arabs

Ardeshir Amir-Arjomand, a top advisor to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, has condemned the violent clampdowns in Iran’s Arab-majority Khuzestan Province.

Death sentences upheld for two Kurdish political prisoners

The Iranian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences of two Kurdish political prisoners, local sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Prison authorities from Rajaee Shahr Prison allegedly told Zanyar Moradi and Loghman Moradi that their death sentences were upheld.

Director of Tabriz website Peyman Pakmehr in Evin prison

GVF — A Tabriz-based Iranian activist and journalist Peyman Pakmehr has been arrested and taken to Evin prison on national security charges, according to media reports.

Labour activist Mahdi Farahi Shandiz to serve 3-year prison sentence

The Human Rights Activists news agency has reported that unionist teacher Mahdi Farahi Shandiz was arrested in the first week of January to serve a three-year jail term.

Brother of slain protester Kianoush Asa detained

GVF — The brother of Kianoush Asa, one of the protesters slain during the clampdown on anti-government protesters in 2009, has been detained.

'Minorities not 2nd-class citizens; people must protest'

Khatami: Saudi 'terror plot' allegations 'fabricated'

Ethnic and religious minorities must not be seen as second-class citizens, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said in a meeting with people from Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Days before release, Christian pastor’s prison sentence extended

On 18 October, 3 days prior to his scheduled release, Iranian judicial authorities extended the prison term for Pastor Behnam Irani by five years, invoking a suspended sentence from 2008. Irani is a member of an evangelical group called Church of Iran and the leader of a house-church in Karaj.

'Pattern of systemic violations of fundamental rights'

Damning UN report on Iran human rights

GVF — The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, has submitted a damning report regarding the Iranian regime’s wide-ranging human right abuses, including the continued house arrest of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi.

Uncertain fate of world’s 3rd largest saltwater lake

Environmental protests 'against God' says judiciary official

GVF — An official in Iran’s judiciary has said that environmental protests against the drying up of Iran’s Lake Urmia were a form of protest against God.

'Release Christian pastor facing execution' says Amnesty International

GVF — Amnesty International has called on Iranian officials to release a Christian pastor facing of execution for the charge of “apostasy.”