Center for the Defense of Human Rights Releases Quarterly Report

By Yasmine S. Hakimian
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran - The Tehran-based Center for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) recently released its quarterly report on human rights violations in Iran.‎ The report highlights human right violations during a three month period ending in September 2008. Shirin Ebadi, the head of the center and 2003 Nobel Peace prize laureate, states the report evidences increased human rights violations by the Islamic Republic.

The report outlines political-civil rights, and social, economic and cultural rights. According to the report, personal freedom is decreasing daily in Iran. Iran’s 30% inflation has made living conditions harder, making it even harder for Iranians to engage in social and cultural activities.

CDHR’s report notes an increase in human rights abuses against religious minorities, specifically members of Iran's Baha'i community. More Baha’i homes, shops, farms, and cemeteries have been targeted throughout Iran. In the last few weeks, numerous Sufi Muslims have been held in solitary confinement without formal charges. Sufi centers have been confiscated or burned to the ground as well. The report also identifies a greater demolition of religious schools and centers.

The statement notes ongoing government harassment, primarily the arrest and jail sentences of university students, journalists, teachers, and political and social activists. 

According to the report, in the last three months four juveniles under the age of 18 were put to death, 41 adults were executed, and six individuals were publicly lashed. CDHR’s statement mentions Human Rights Watch’s concern as an Iranian juvenile was hanged only two days after Iranian authorities denied that Iran still executes juvenile offenders. Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch says, “to decide a 9 or 15 year old is capable of the kind of judgment and intent that is necessary to prove a crime is committed, frankly, it has no credibility whatsoever.”

The report indicates that government workers, teachers and general workers, Iran’s lowest paid groups, are becoming more vulnerable. The government believes the workers may work against the security of the state and as a result, they are deprived of their professional and social rights.

In its report, the CDHR urges Iran to review the developments emerging in Iranian society and refrain from invading the public and personal rights and freedoms of the Iranian people. CDHR asks Iran to work to decrease the dangers and threats ‎facing the country, and ratify a sensible foreign policy.

The CDHR emphasized that they will work until “freedom of thought and expression and absence of fear and poverty would become realities in the lives of individuals in Iran.”

For more information, please see:

Iran Visual News Corps - Iran Human Rights Group Says Government Abuses Continue - 27 November 2008

Voice of America - Rights Violations in Iran - 24 November 2008

Memri Iranian Media Blog - Tehran-Based Human Rights Center Releases Quarterly Report - 18 November 2008

Zabiha News - Iran Human Rights Group Says Government Abuses Continue - 13 November 2008