Human Rights Watch Criticizes Repression and Violation of Freedom of Expression in Iran

In its annual report, Human Rights Watch states that the Iranian government had a dismal record in 2017 regarding "repression and violation of freedom of expression, fair trials, gender equality, and religious freedoms." The human rights organization accused "repressive elements in security forces, the judiciary, and non-elected institutions like the Guardian Council" of re-establishing their tight control over the political space and repressing human rights in Iran. According to the report, security forces and intelligence agencies summoned, threatened, or detained dozens of journalists, prominent labor activists, and social media activists. Among them, several human rights defenders, including Narges Mohammadi, a leader of the Iranian Human Rights Defenders Association, remain behind bars. Additionally, revolutionary courts sentenced several political and civil activists and a number of dual citizens to prison for vague national security-related crimes. Sarah Leah Whitson, the Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, stated: "Decision-makers in Iran have made it clear that addressing severe human rights violations is not on their agenda. Officials who actively commit human rights violations and others who do not challenge these violations are responsible for the dire human rights situation in Iran." Human Rights Watch's 28th World Report, published in 643 pages, reviews human rights practices in over 90 countries. Previously, human rights groups reported that the Iranian government executed at least 476 people by the end of November 2017, and four were sentenced to death for violent crimes committed when they were under 18. Meanwhile, Iran's judiciary recently announced that Ahmad Reza Jalali, a university professor residing in Sweden, was sentenced to death for espionage after being previously detained in Iran. Human Rights Watch noted that the Guardian Council positively approved an amendment to the drug-related crimes law, which will raise the threshold for crimes punishable by death. The report also highlighted new instances of discrimination against religious minorities. Despite Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi, two leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran, being released after 10 years in prison, statistics show that as of about two months ago, 92 Baha'is were still imprisoned. The report also mentioned negative instances such as the disqualification of Spenta Niknam from the Yazd City Council due to his Zoroastrian faith by the Guardian Council, as well as discriminatory laws and policies regarding marriage and divorce, inheritance, child custody, and gender inequality. According to Human Rights Watch, women have been marginalized in the economic sphere, constituting only 16% of the workforce in Iran. This occurred despite Hassan Rouhani criticizing gender discrimination during the May 2017 elections and promising to "increase women's presence in important management and decision-making areas," which he failed to do, as he did not appoint any women to ministerial positions, despite expectations from many, including some members of parliament. Human Rights Watch called for investigations into the deaths of protesting citizens in Iran and demanded the immediate release of Reza Shahabi. The organization expressed concern for the health of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard. Amnesty International reported on the repression of human rights defenders following Rouhani's victory. Eleven human rights organizations requested the removal of Pourmohammadi from the cabinet. A letter from 175 members of parliament was sent to Rouhani requesting the introduction of female ministers. Rouhani stated that steps must be taken gradually to manage high-level women's positions. The changing dynamics of "proxy wars"; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. The Iranian crisis; the responsibility of the opposition and the potential radicalization of Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amidst the Iranian crisis. Internet shutdown in Iran has surpassed 300 hours; reports of evidence regarding the killing of injured individuals under treatment. Accounts from three witnesses about the situation in Isfahan province; "like war-torn areas." The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amidst the Iranian crisis. Trump emphasized the "halt of executions in Iran": we do not know what will happen in the future. Trump announced an agreement to hold a meeting about Greenland in Davos.