Report by Front Line Defenders: Abuse of Human Rights Defenders by the Islamic Republic Continues

The Human Rights Defenders organization (Front Line Defenders) in its annual report highlighted the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders in Iran, stating that one year after the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, the Islamic Republic continues to severely suppress and punish human rights defenders while also making significant efforts to prevent any further peaceful protests in Iran. This non-governmental organization, based in Dublin, Ireland, noted that the Islamic Republic has intensified its efforts to further restrict the rights and freedoms of women through guidance patrols, surveillance, and legal actions. Front Line Defenders referred to the policy of mandatory hijab imposed by the Islamic Republic, targeting girls and women who oppose this dress code. Last year, the Iranian government passed a bill in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, under which individuals who do not comply with the mandatory hijab laws as defined by the Islamic Republic face up to 10 years in prison, fines, and flogging. Such actions and this bill have drawn widespread criticism both in Iran and globally. Front Line Defenders also pointed to the deliberate poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls in Iran's schools, which has been left unaddressed by the Islamic Republic without any independent and impartial investigations. According to United Nations reporters, these chain poisonings are 'likely an organized retaliatory act' against Iranian women and girls for not adhering to mandatory hijab laws and for exercising their right to protest. The report noted that university professors, teachers, students, labor unions, and other defenders who condemned these attacks and the suppression of nationwide protests in 1401 (2022) were targeted by the Islamic Republic. According to the report, forced dismissals and retirements were among the retaliatory actions taken by the Islamic Republic against protesters. Currently, a large number of protesters, as well as labor activists and teachers, are detained on security charges or are serving prison sentences. In another section of the report, it was mentioned that Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist imprisoned in Iran, faced 'insulting and gendered remarks and accusations' when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Recently, Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced to an additional two years in prison for posting content on her social media. Furthermore, her lawyer Mustafa Nili recently wrote on social media 'X' that 'the hearing for Ms. Narges Mohammadi's new case will take place on Sunday, 30 Ordibehesht in Branch 29 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran.' According to him, Ms. Mohammadi is accused of 'propaganda against the regime' in this case. Front Line Defenders praised Narges Mohammadi's resilience in defending human rights and women's rights in Iran, noting that the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to her is a recognition of her human rights activities and a strong message of solidarity with the people of Iran, especially women and human rights defenders who stand up for their legitimate human rights, including the right to life and freedom. The organization documented the cases of over 200 human rights defenders who were subjected to harassment, abuse, and mistreatment in various forms during the protests last year. According to this organization, human rights defenders in Iran were targeted due to their role in the recent protest movement. They also faced violent and arbitrary arrests, home searches, and threats to family members for working on various issues, including human rights, labor rights, women's rights, and the death penalty. The report stated that the Islamic Republic continues to employ tactics such as regular internet shutdowns and disruptions in telecommunications services in an effort to weaken peaceful protests and suppress ongoing demonstrations. Front Line Defenders also referred to the suspicious deaths of several protesters, which the Islamic Republic has declared as suicides, emphasizing that this matter cannot be independently verified. The organization added: 'The circumstances of these deaths are not investigated or clarified, and often families are forced to accept the official justifications of the government to access the bodies of their loved ones or even to participate in their funerals.' In another part of the report, it was noted that restrictions on freedom of assembly and association are part of the ongoing suppression of civil space in countries like Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco, adding: 'Human rights defenders in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestinian territories who documented violations and corruption while defending minority groups and called for respect for fundamental freedoms faced judicial harassment, intimidation, and threats.' The report stated that the enforcement of sentences or the extension of unjust punishments against human rights defenders to ensure their long-term imprisonment, often under brutal conditions, is a common feature of legal harassment in these countries. In many cases, human rights defenders have been charged with issues related to 'terrorism' or 'national security.' The report emphasizes that violations of fair trial procedures and horrific medical neglect regarding prisoners are considered normal. It stated that despite human rights violations and the rule of law in many countries worldwide, human rights defenders have shown remarkable courage and perseverance in defending democracy, justice, and human rights. According to Front Line Defenders, at least 300 human rights defenders were killed worldwide last year, bringing the total documented killings of human rights defenders in the last decade to about 3,000. According to Alan Glasgow, the executive director of this organization, the 'horrific' wave of attacks against human rights defenders is a direct result of the 'chaotic' state of international human rights and the 'double standards' of governments regarding respect for human rights. Arbitrary detention, trial, death threats, surveillance, and physical attacks against human rights defenders are among the issues highlighted in this annual report. According to Front Line Defenders, the most attacks against human rights defenders have occurred in five areas: sexual and gender minorities, women, human rights movements, indigenous peoples, and human rights documents. The organization states that in some Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon, defenders of women's rights and sexual and gender minorities have been persecuted as advocates of 'gender ideology' and opponents of 'traditional family values.' The report mentions that last year feminists in countries like Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Syria faced severe online attacks, including insults, humiliation, defamation, gendered attacks, or threats of rape, which were systematically carried out to delegitimize them.