Human Rights

Suspect in the Murder of Tupac Shakur, Famous American Rapper, Arrested After Nearly 30 Years

Duane Keith Davis, a former gang leader, has been arrested for the murder of Tupac Shakur nearly 30 years after the rapper's assassination in Las…

VOA Persian Sep 30, 2023

The Revolutionary Guard's Newspaper Defends Shooting at Protesters During 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan

The IRGC's newspaper has defended the shooting of protesters during the Bloody Friday incident in Zahedan, claiming that police could have limited their actions if…

VOA Persian Sep 30, 2023

Human Rights Sources: Increase in Number of Detainees on the Anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan

On the anniversary of the 'Bloody Friday' events in Zahedan, protests erupted leading to at least 51 arrests and numerous injuries, including children. Government forces…

VOA Persian Sep 29, 2023

Shooting by Islamic Republic Forces at Protesters on the Anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan

On the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday', clashes occurred in Zahedan, resulting in at least 23 injuries among protesters due to gunfire from government forces. The…

VOA Persian Sep 28, 2023

Exclusive | Hossein and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri Arrested; Fatemeh Sepehri in Hospital

Fatemeh Sepehri, a political prisoner in Iran, requires urgent heart surgery after being transferred to the hospital, while her brothers Hossein and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri…

VOA Persian Sep 28, 2023

Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh, a member of the families of the victims, arrested again

Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh, sister of a protest victim, was arrested again by Iranian authorities at a checkpoint. This incident reflects ongoing repression against families of victims…

VOA Persian Sep 28, 2023

Release of Writings by Jawad Rouhi Who Recently Died; Account of His Abuse and Torture

Jawad Rouhi, a protester sentenced to death in Iran, died under suspicious circumstances after being tortured in custody. His writings detailing the abuse he suffered…

Exclusive | Hunger Strike of Two Political Prisoners in Qazalhessar; Yashar Tabrizi Transferred to Ward 241 of Evin

Two political prisoners, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb and Reza Salmandzadeh, are on hunger strike in Qazalhessar prison protesting inhumane conditions. Yashar Tabrizi, a human rights activist,…

Ahvaz Revolutionary Court Sentences 17 Protesting Steel Workers to Flogging

The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz sentenced 17 protesting steel workers to flogging and fines for disturbing public order. This ruling follows a previous complaint from…

Continued Detention of Leila Naqdi Pari; Jafar Panahi: Iranian Cinema Struggles Under the Boot of Security Forces

Leila Naqdi Pari, an Iranian stage and costume designer, has been detained for over ten days without clear charges, prompting concern from filmmakers and human…

Azerbaijani Forces Arrest Former Leader of Separatist Nagorno-Karabakh Government

Azerbaijani forces arrested Ruben Vardanyan, the former leader of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh government, as he attempted to flee to Armenia amid a mass exodus of…

Continued Suppression of Religious Minorities in Iran; Four Baha'i Women Arrested in Shiraz

Four Baha'i women were arrested in Shiraz as part of ongoing government repression against religious minorities in Iran. The arrests, which included confiscation of personal…

Somayeh Sari Khani, a Mother of the Victims, Arrested in Tehran

Somayeh Sari Khani, a mother seeking justice for her son who died during protests, was arrested in Tehran. This incident reflects ongoing repression against families…

Exclusive; New Sentences of Imprisonment and Flogging Issued Against Majid Khademi, Political Prisoner in Behbahan

Majid Khademi, a political prisoner in Iran, has received new sentences totaling over four years in prison and 45 lashes for charges including arson and…

An Education Ministry Official: 'Hijabification' of Girls' Schools is Underway

The Iranian Education Ministry is implementing 'hijabification' in girls' schools, emphasizing the importance of hijab both inside and outside schools. This initiative follows widespread protests…

VOA Persian Sep 26, 2023

Exclusive; Continuation of Yashar Tabrizi's Detention; Informed Source: This 'Ignorance' Does Not Bode Well

Yashar Tabrizi, a constitutional activist, has been detained for eleven days with no contact with his family, raising concerns about his well-being and potential torture.…

VOA Persian Sep 26, 2023

Introduction of 'Hijab Patrol' in Universities; Tehran University Security Prevents Students from Entering with Scarves

Tehran University has implemented a 'Hijab Patrol' requiring students to wear specific attire, including long manteaus and hijabs. This comes alongside a new parliamentary bill…

VOA Persian Sep 25, 2023

Thirteen Exiled Political Prisoners in Ghezal Hesar Barred from All Contact and Visits

Thirteen political prisoners exiled to Ghezal Hesar Prison have been barred from all contact and visits by the prison warden, Ashkan Kamali. This action follows…

VOA Persian Sep 25, 2023

Arash Kikhavsar, Lawyer and Human Rights Defender, Arrested After Summoning to Court

Arash Kikhavsar, a lawyer and human rights advocate, was arrested after being summoned to court to serve a one-year sentence for 'propaganda against the regime.'…

VOA Persian Sep 25, 2023

Exclusive; US State Department on the Death of a Dual National Prisoner in Evin: Seeking Additional Information

Faramarz Javidzad, an Iranian-American dual national, died in Evin prison reportedly due to a lack of medical care. The US State Department is seeking more…

Continued Pressure and Repression; Forced Retirement of Professors, Denial of Education, and Arrest of Students

The Iranian government continues to exert pressure on academics and students, forcing a professor into early retirement, arresting a nursing student, and denying a doctoral…

A Human Rights Organization: 162 Kurdish Citizens Arrested This September

In September, at least 162 Kurdish citizens were arrested in Iran, with reports of torture and killings by security forces. The anniversary of Mahsa Amini's…

Son of Arrested Imam of Rask: My Father Has Been Tortured with a Taser and Electric Iron

The son of Mowlavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, a Sunni Imam arrested in Iran, claims his father is being tortured in custody. This incident highlights ongoing…