US State Department Report on Human Rights Released

The US State Department's human rights report regarding the situation in Iran indicates that the human rights record of the Tehran government remained weak in 2001. Although efforts within Iranian society to hold the government accountable for its human rights policies continued, serious problems persisted. The government severely restricts its citizens' right to change the government. Systematic violations include hasty executions, disappearances, widespread use of torture and other degrading treatment including sexual assault, severe punishments such as stoning and flogging, harsh prison conditions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and prolonged detention of individuals without informing their families of their status. The US State Department report adds that the reelection of Mohammad Khatami as president in June 2001 does not appear to have led to meaningful reforms in Iran. On the contrary, the repression of reformists, including members of parliament, continued and reportedly intensified. The Iranian government has restricted human rights advocacy groups and continues to refuse entry to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights. Violence against women occurs, and women face legal and social discrimination. The Iranian government discriminates against religious and ethnic minorities and severely limits important workers' rights, including the freedom to join unions and the right to organize and bargain collectively with employers. Child labor remains prevalent, and vigilante groups closely connected to some government members impose their interpretations of appropriate social behavior through intimidation and violence. In 2001, reports of human trafficking in Iran also emerged. The US State Department's report on the human rights situation states that the Iranian government is responsible for a series of killings, and executions took place during 2001 following trials that did not adhere to proper due process. There were also narrative reports of individuals being killed during "football riots" in October by security forces. The Iranian government confirmed that hundreds were arrested but denied that anyone was killed during these events.