U.S. State Department: 800 Human Rights Advocates Are Imprisoned in Iran

The Persian Twitter account of the U.S. State Department, while protesting the imprisonment of approximately 800 Iranian 'human rights advocates' and the treatment of protesting workers, announced that the department 'amplifies the voices of those in Iran who are waiting for an end to the disregard for their undeniable and universal rights.' This Twitter account stated on Tuesday, referencing International Human Rights Day, that 'the Iranian government has kept nearly 800 Iranian advocates of global human rights in prison.' The U.S. State Department's Persian Twitter account, by sharing images of several political prisoners, wrote, 'On this International Human Rights Day, we honor the Iranian prisoners who have worked to protect the rights and freedoms of their compatriots.' Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, also on Monday, December 19, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of 'taking hostages' of U.S. citizens and called for the release of Robert Levinson and other imprisoned Americans. The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, November 24, approved a resolution proposed by Canada condemning human rights violations in Iran with 85 votes in favor, 30 against, and 68 abstentions, and this resolution is set to be voted on in the UN General Assembly in the coming days. This resolution, referencing reports of torture of prisoners, arbitrary detentions, trials without due process, threats against human rights activists, and restrictions on freedom of expression, states that these instances indicate that the Iranian government does not adhere to international norms and standards. The U.S. State Department's Persian Twitter account also, referencing the treatment of protesting workers and teachers, quoted Mike Pompeo stating, 'The United States condemns the repression imposed on the people of Iran by those who govern unjustly.' This Twitter account emphasized: 'We proudly amplify the voices of those in Iran who are waiting for an end to the disregard for their undeniable and universal rights and instead want their rights to be respected.' In recent months, labor protests in Iran, especially in Khuzestan province, have entered a new phase with the long-term strikes and protests of Haft Tappeh sugarcane workers. These protests, along with the work stoppages of several teachers in various cities in Iran in protest against living conditions, have received support from groups of students from several Iranian universities, including Amir Kabir, Kermanshah, and Nourshiri Babol. The Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers' Syndicate announced last week that Ismail Bakshi, the representative of the workers of this company, and Sepideh Gholian, a civil activist, 'have been severely beaten and are under severe mental and physical pressure.' The U.S. State Department's Persian Twitter account also on Monday, coinciding with December 9, International Anti-Corruption Day, named senior officials of the Islamic Republic, stating that this government 'is filled with hypocritical corrupt individuals.'