IRAN HUMAN RIGHTS: 2023

On the anniversary of the start of the nationwide “Woman, life, freedom” protest movement in Iran, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has gathered 31 prominent women journalists from 19 countries around the world who have spoken out in solidarity with their courageous Iranian colleagues.

Reporters Without Borders
September 14, 2023

https://rsf.org/en/31-prominent-international-women-journalists-join-rsf-s-appeal-support-iran-s-courageous-women

Iran has arrested 79 journalists in a staggering crackdown since Mahsa Amini's death a year ago

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) looks back at the Iranian government’s year long crackdown on journalists for covering the wave of protests triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody – 12 months of arbitrary arrests and trials on spurious charges. A labyrinth of state repression that saw a total of 79 journalists arrested,12 of whom remain in prison to this day. As for those who have been released, their freedom remains restricted.

Reporters Without Borders
September 11, 2023

https://rsf.org/en/iran-has-arrested-79-journalists-staggering-crackdown-mahsa-amini-s-death-year-ago

Iran's journalists in dire straits one year after protest crackdown

The Committee to Protect Journalists
September 14, 2023

https://cpj.org/2023/09/irans-journalists-in-dire-straits-one-year-after-protest-crackdown/amp/

Two Iranian Journalists Sentenced to Total of Over Eight Years in Prison

Iran Wire
September 19, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/journalism-is-not-a-crime/120681-two-iranian-journalists-sentenced-to-total-of-over-eight-years-in-prison/

Journalism is not a crime

Iran Wire

https://iranwire.com/en/category/journalism-is-not-a-crime

Iran's War on Journalism and Journalists

United Against Nuclear Iran

https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/irans-war-on-journalism-and-journalists

https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/sites/default/files/resourceIran%27s%20War%20on%20Journalism%20and%20Journalists_04292022_AG_JMB_CMJ.pdf

September 14, 2023

Rights Group Urges Global Action Against Iran Protests Suppression

Iran International
September 13, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309135349

Iran: One year after uprising international community must combat impunity for brutal crackdown

Amnesty International
September 13, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/09/iran-one-year-after-uprising-international-community-must-combat-impunity-for-brutal-crackdown/

Iran: Protester sentenced to death in unfair trial: Abbas Deris

Amnesty International
September 12, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/7189/2023/en/

September 13, 2023

Iranian Lawyers Protest Against Recent Judicial Reforms

Iran International
September 13, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309121778

Iranian Lawyers Protest Move To Further Limit Bar Associations

Iran International
August 26, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202308250444

Iranian Lawyers Protest Controversial Parliamentary Resolution

Iran International
August 21, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202308210110

Iranian Lawyers Face "Arbitrary" Restrictions Amid Protest Crackdown

By Akhtar Safi
Iran Wire
January 19, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/politics/112825-iranian-lawyers-face-arbitrary-restrictions-amid-protest-crackdown/

Protection of Lawyers in Iran

Joint Statement: Bar Associations and International Lawyers’ Organisations Call for Protection of Lawyers in Iran

European Association of Lawyers for Democracy & World Human Rights
December 1, 2022

https://eldh.eu/en/2022/12/protection-of-lawyers-in-iran/

https://eldh.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/joint-statement-from-lawyers-abroad-on-lawyers-in-iran.pdf

Iranian lawyers must be released immediately

The Law Society
October 17, 2022

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-visit-us/press-office/press-releases/iranian-lawyers-must-be-released-immediately

Joint Statement on the Arrest, Detention, and Ill Treatment of Lawyers in Iran

The Law Society of England and Wales and Lawyers for Lawyers call on the Iranian Government to halt the arbitrary arrest, detention, and ill treatment of lawyers and allow protesters access to legal representatives.

Lawyers for Lawyers
October 14, 2023

https://lawyersforlawyers.org/en/joint-statement-on-the-arrest-detention-and-ill-treatment-of-lawyers-in-iran/

September 08, 2023

Report Reveals Harrowing Atrocities In Iran's Kurdish Regions

Iran International
September 7, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309061354

Massacre in Kurdish City by Islamic Republic Forces Exposed in New Report

Center for Human Rights in Iran
September 4, 2023

https://iranhumanrights.org/2023/09/massacre-in-kurdish-city-by-islamic-republic-forces-exposed-in-new-report/

Massacre in Javanrud

State Atrocities Against Protesters in Iran's Kurdish Regions

Center for Human Rights in Iran
Kurdistan Human Rights Network
September 2023

https://persian.iranhumanrights.org/wp-content/uploads/Kurdish-report-ready-for-release.pdf

Iranian Doctor Remembers Kurdistan's Protest Crackdown Atrocities

By Aida Ghajar
Iran Wire
September 22, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/special-features/120798-iranian-doctor-remembers-kurdistans-protest-crackdown-atrocities/

August 22, 2023

Amnesty Condemns Iranian Government's Harassment of Protesters' Families

Iran Wire
August 21, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/119690-amnesty-condemns-iranian-governments-harassment-of-protesters-families/

Iran: Respect families’ right to commemorate loved ones killed during uprising without reprisals on one-year anniversary

Amnesty International
August 21, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/08/iran-respect-families-right-to-commemorate-loved-ones-killed-during-uprising-without-reprisals-on-one-year-anniversary/

Iran: Harassment of families of victims unlawfully killed during protests must end

Amnesty International
August 21, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/7084/2023/en/

Iran Continues To Harass Victim Families Ahead Of Protests Anniv.

Iran International
August 24, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202308236961

Iranian Government Detains Relatives of Crackdown Victims Who Seek Justice

By Solmaz Eikdar
Iran Wire
August 24, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/features/119784-iranian-government-detains-relatives-of-crackdown-victims-who-seek-justice/

Iranian Authorities Detain Relatives of 2022 Protest Victims

Iran Wire
August 23, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/119754-iranian-authorities-detain-relatives-of-2022-protest-victims/

More Relatives of Slain Iran Protesters Arrested

Iran Wire
September 1, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/120032-more-relatives-of-slain-iran-protesters-arrested/

Mother of Victim of Iran Protest Crackdown Arrested

Iran Wire
September 4, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/120100-mother-of-victim-of-iran-protest-crackdown-arrested/

Mateen Naderkhani: The 20-Year-Old Football Player Killed by Two Shots

By Maryam Dehkordi
Iran Wire
September 4, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/features/120098-mateen-naderkhani-the-20-year-old-football-player-killed-by-two-shots/

Iran arrests Mahsa Amini's uncle ahead of one-year death anniversary: Rights group

By Yaghoub Fazeli
Al Arabiya
September 5, 2023

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/09/05/Iran-arrests-Mahsa-Amini-s-uncle-ahead-of-one-year-death-anniversary-Rights-group

Mahsa's Uncle Arrested amid Fears of Renewed Protests

Iran Wire
September 5, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/120145-mahsas-uncle-arrested-amid-fears-of-renewed-protests/

Two More Relatives of Iran Protest Victims Arrested

Iran Wire
September 8, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/120255-two-more-relatives-of-iran-protest-victims-arrested/

Harassment Of Iran Protesters' Grieving Families: An Old Dictator's Tactic

By Maryam Moqaddam and Masoud Kazemi
Iran International
September 17, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309174465

Victims' Families Systematically Harassed on Iran Protest Anniversary

By Roghayeh Rezaei
Iran Wire
September 25, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/features/120866-victims-families-systematically-harassed-on-iran-protest-anniversary/

July 29, 2023

Female Protesters' Eyes Systematically Targeted: Rights Group

By Maryam Sinaee
Iran International
September 24, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202309235677

Iran Protests 2022: Women Protester Eyes Intentionally and Systematically Targeted

Iran Human Rights
September 22, 2023

https://iranhr.net/en/articles/6205/

https://iranhr.net/media/files/Eye_Injury_Report-Sep_2023.pdf

Special Report: The Islamic Republic's Use of Blinding as a Weapon of War Against Protesters

By Aida Ghajar
Iran wire
September 21, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/features/114739-special-report-the-islamic-republics-use-of-blinding-as-a-weapon-of-war-against-protesters/

Special Report: The Islamic Republic's Use of Blinding as a Weapon of War Against Protesters

By Aida Ghajar, Katherine Hignett and Omid Shams
An Iran Wire Special Report
September 2023

https://static.prod.iranwire.com/pdfcomponent/Blinding_as_a_Weapon_of_Suppression_ZcEX.pdf

Blinding as a weapon

Special features

Iran Wire

https://iranwire.com/en/category/special-features/blinding-as-a-weapon

Blinding as a Weapon of Suppression in Iran

An Ophthalmological Review

By Katherine Hignett and Aida Ghajar
Iran Wire

https://static.prod.iranwire.com/pdfcomponent/Report_JOCl.pdf

Iran's Security Forces 'Systematically' Targeting Protesters' Faces

Iran International
February 4, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202302040763

Islamic Republic Systematically Targeted Protester Eyes in Nationwide Protest

Iran Human Rights
February 3, 2023

https://iranhr.net/en/articles/5726/

Iranian Security Forces Fired Pellets, Blinding Many Protesters

Iran International
January 24, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202301243417

Iran athlete says 'no regrets' after losing eye at protest

Al Arabiya
AFP
January 24, 2023

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/01/24/Iran-athlete-says-no-regrets-after-losing-eye-at-protest

Doctors Say Iran's Use Of 'Birdshots' Blinded Hundreds Of People

Iran International
November 26, 2022

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202211266662

Eye Injury Victims

International Iranian Physicians and Healthcare Providers Association

https://iipha.org/clinical-services-for-the-victims/eye-injuries-mental-health-physical/eye-injury-victims/

Half-Blinded By Iranian Police: A Protester's Story

By Ray Furlong, Shahriar Siami and Golnaz Esfandiari
Radio Farda
July 25, 2023

https://www.rferl.org/amp/iran-protests-eyes-blinded-germany/32517997.html

Iran protests: Victims shot in eyes hold on to hopes

By Pouya Ghorbani
BBC Persian
April 5, 2023

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64503873.amp

Hundreds of Protesters in Iran Blinded by Metal Pellets and Rubber Bullets

Security forces have been firing ammunition that has ruptured the eyes of antigovernment demonstrators in the past two months. “Everything went dark,” one said.

By Cora Engelbrecht
The New York Times
November 19, 2022

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/world/asia/iran-protesters-eye-injuries.html

July 15, 2023

Iranian Government Considers Harsh New Hijab Laws

Iran Wire
July 28, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/women/118955-iranian-government-considers-harsh-new-hijab-laws/

World Urged to Do More for Oppressed Iranian women

Iran Wire
July 26, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/women/118880-world-urged-to-do-more-for-oppressed-iranian-women/

Iran: International community must stand with women and girls suffering intensifying oppression

Amnesty International
July 26, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/07/iran-international-community-must-stand-with-women-and-girls-suffering-intensifying-oppression/

Iran: Authorities doubling down on punishments against women and girls defying discriminatory veiling laws

Amnesty International
July 26, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/7041/2023/en/

Iran's morality police return, but efficacy of coercive measures in question

While redeployment of the dreaded force is meant to quell dissent, it may end up provoking more public fury.

By Yaghoub Fazeli
Al Arabiya
July 21, 2023

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/07/22/Morality-police-return-but-is-the-cat-out-of-the-bag-for-mandatory-hijab-in-Iran-

Iran's clerical rulers tighten curbs on dissent

Al Arabiya
Reuters
July 18, 2023

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/07/18/Iran-s-clerical-rulers-tighten-curbs-on-dissent-

July 10, 2023

Second Iranian Political Prisoner Tortured To Death

Iran International
July 10, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202307107072

Photos Prove Iranian Political Prisoner Tortured To Death

Iran International
July 12, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202307117231

Iranian Kurdish Political Prisoner 'Killed Under Torture'

Iran International
July 9, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202307098858

Dissident Iranian Rapper Severely Tortured - Exclusive

Iran International
July 7, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202307070377

15-Year-Old Iranian Protester Tortured to Obtain Confessions

Iran Wire
July 7, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/118287-15-year-old-iranian-protester-tortured-to-obtain-confessions/

Iran's Top Sunni Cleric Speaks Out against Coerced Confessions

Iran Wire
July 7, 2023

https://iranwire.com/en/news/118285-irans-top-sunni-cleric-speaks-out-against-coerced-confessions/

July 08, 2023

Iran: EU restrictive measures

The Council of the European Union

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions/iran/

Timeline - Iran: EU restrictive measures

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions/iran/timeline-iran-eu-restrictive-measures/

U.S. Department of State

Iran Sanctions

https://www.state.gov/iran-sanctions/

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Iran Sanctions

https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/iran-sanctions

Iran Human Rights Sanctions Tracker

United Against Nuclear Iran

https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/iran_human_rights_sanctions_tracker

July 06, 2023

UK Sanctions 13 More Iranian Officials, Entities Over Rights Abuses

Iran International
July 6, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202307064528

June 26, 2023

Iran: Council targets seven individuals over serious human rights violations

The Council of the European Union
June 26, 2023

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/26/iran-council-targets-seven-individuals-over-serious-human-rights-violations/

Official Journal of the European Union
Volume 66
June 26, 2023

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2023:160I:TOC

May 31, 2023

Iran Human Rights

Iran Human Rights

https://iranhr.net/en/

• News And Articles

https://iranhr.net/en/articles/#/all/all/1

• Infographics

https://iranhr.net/en/infographics/

• Transition

https://iranhr.net/en/transitions/#/all/all/1

• Human Rights Defenders

https://iranhr.net/en/people/#/all/all/1

• Cartoons

https://iranhr.net/en/cartoons/#/

• IHR TV

https://iranhr.net/en/multimedia/#/all/all/1

• Statements

https://iranhr.net/en/statements/#/

Human Rights Activists News Agency

Human Rights Activists News Agency

https://www.en-hrana.org

• News

https://www.en-hrana.org/category/news/

• Articles

https://www.en-hrana.org/articles/

• Interviews

https://www.en-hrana.org/interviews/

• Statements

https://www.en-hrana.org/statements/

May 30, 2023

Iran Wire

Iran Wire

https://iranwire.com/en/

• Politics

Iran International

Iran International

https://www.iranintl.com/en

• Human Rights

https://www.iranintl.com/en/iran-human-rights

• Iran Protests

https://www.iranintl.com/en/iran-protests

• Economy & Environment

https://www.iranintl.com/en/economy-and-environment

• Politics

https://www.iranintl.com/en/politics

• Conflict - Military

https://www.iranintl.com/en/military-conflict

• Ukraine Crisis

https://www.iranintl.com/en/ukraine-crisis

• Iran Nuclear

https://www.iranintl.com/en/iran-nuclear

• Iran Sanctions

https://www.iranintl.com/en/us-sanctions

• Foreign Relations

https://www.iranintl.com/en/foreign-relations

• Middle East

https://www.iranintl.com/en/middle-east

• Iran

https://www.iranintl.com/en/iran-en

May 26, 2023

Iran: five individuals and two entities targeted by EU's eighth package of sanctions for human rights violations

The Council of the European Union
May 22, 2023

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/05/22/iran-five-individuals-and-two-entities-targeted-by-eu-s-eighth-package-of-sanctions-for-human-rights-violations/

Official Journal of the European Union
Volume 66
May 22, 2023

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2023:134I:FULL

May 19, 2023

Record 142 Iranian Prisoners Executed In May

Iran International
June 1, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202306011210

'We Execute Those We Should' Says Iran's Unflinching Judiciary

Iran International
May 31, 2023

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202305314369

Iran: Executions of tortured protesters must trigger a robust reaction from the international community

Amnesty International
May 19, 2023

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/05/iran-executions-of-tortured-protesters-must-trigger-a-robust-reaction-from-the-international-community/

Iran: Alarming Surge in Executions

Authorities Execute Over 60 People in Past 2 Weeks

Human Rights Watch
May 12, 2023

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/12/iran-alarming-surge-executions

Iran: "Frightening" number of executions as Türk calls for end to death penalty

The High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations
May 9, 2023

https://www.ohchr.org/en/about-us/high-commissioner

March 28, 2023

United Nations 2022

Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
UN. General Assembly December 2022

https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3999967?ln=en

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
By Javaid Rehman
United Nations July 2022

https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3984486?ln=en

U.S. Department of State 2022

2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Iran
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/iran/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ar5BSvl4uxiE2_mcuXrINxkgkH_dzd1j/view?usp=sharing

European Union 2022

EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World
2022 Country Updates

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/2022-human-rights-and-democracy-world-country-reports_en

Extract

Iran

1. Overview of the human rights and democracy situation: The situation of human rights in Iran remained a matter of concern in 2022. The Iranian regime’s response to the protests sparked by the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022 (which resulted in a nationwide uprising in favor of wider freedoms and respect for fundamental rights) has been a cause for great concern. The widespread, brutal and disproportionate use of force by the Iranian authorities against peaceful protesters, as well as the use of the death penalty against protesters, was a breach of the fundamental principles enshrined in international law. Iran carried out executions at an extremely high rate. A major source of concern continued to be the use of death penalty also for juvenile offenders, protestors and dissidents. Restrictions to civil freedoms persisted, notably lack of guarantees of fair trial, violations of freedom of expression, religion or belief and of women’s and girls’ rights. Abuse and torture in prison, the detention and conviction of foreign and dual nationals and the situation of human rights activists remained matters of serious concern. At the same time, it is commendable that Iran continued to host a great number of Afghan refugees (which has even increased since the crisis in Afghanistan), and to provide them with access to basic services, in particular health care and education for children.

2. EU action - key focus areas: In the Council Conclusions of December 2022, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive policy approach: critical where necessary, and ready to engage, on the basis of mutual respect, where interests align. As part of its comprehensive policy approach, the EU followed the situation of human rights in Iran very closely, including in the context of the 2022 protests. As a result, it continued to address all relevant issues using a mixture of public and private diplomacy as well as bilateral and multilateral tools. This included inter alia: the use of death penalty in particular for juvenile offenders, protesters and dissidents; Iran’s disregard for its international human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to both of which Iran is a party; freedom of expression and assembly; restrictions on communications, including Internet shutdowns.

3. EU bilateral political engagement: Human rights continued to be an integral part of the EU’s policy vis-à-vis Iran. On 25 September 2022, in the context of the Iranian government’s response to the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, the High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) issued a Declaration on behalf of the EU 27 EU calling on Iran to immediately stop the widespread and disproportionate use of force against nonviolent protestors, to ensure free flow of information, to release all non-violent protestors and to provide due process to all detainees. The HR/VP Declaration paved the way for more coordinated actions between the EU and its Member States and led to the adoption of targeted restrictive measures in response to the events in Iran. At the same time, the HR/VP used its direct channels up to the highest Iranian political level to firmly demand respect for the fundamental rights of Iranian men and women. In addition, the EU repeatedly called on Iran to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment and strongly condemned the use of death penalty in particular for juvenile offenders, protesters and dissidents including through public statements. The EU also expressed concern regarding the situation of political prisoners and that of EU and EU-Iranian dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran, urging the Iranian authorities to ensure that all prisoners are kept in safe conditions in compliance with the applicable international law, and that they are granted medical and consular assistance whenever needed. Furthermore, the EU continued to urge the Iranian authorities to guarantee the full range of fundamental rights for their citizens irrespective of religion, belief or any other status. Through this political engagement, the EU continued to urge improvements in the human rights situation in Iran and continued to insist, both privately and publicly, that there must be accountability for abuses whenever they occur.

4. EU financial engagement: In implementing projects in the framework of the Iran Multiannual Indicative Programme for 2021-2027, the EU always takes into account its human rights commitments.

5. Multilateral context: The Government of Iran received 329 recommendations following Iran’s Universal Periodic Review in November 2019, including from 26 EU Member States. At the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council convened from 24 February – 20 March 2020 Iran accepted 143 of the 329 recommendations it received in 2019. The EU continued to be a strong supporter of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran and encouraged Iran to fully cooperate with the latter’s mandate. As in previous years, the EU supported the resolution on the human rights situation in Iran tabled by Canada during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as a resolution that is fact-based and free of unverified allegations. The EU also urged Iran to cooperate with the Independent Fact-Finding Mission created by the Human Rights Council in November 2022.

Amnesty International 2023

Amnesty International Report 2022/2023

Human Rights in Iran

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/6596/2023/en/

Human Rights Watch 2023

World Report 2023
Iran

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/iran

Freedom House 2023

Freedom in the world 2023

Iran

https://freedomhouse.org/country/iran/freedom-world/2023

Reporters Without Borders 2023

World Press Freedom Index
Iran

https://rsf.org/en/country/iran

https://rsf.org/en/index

INDEX 2023

Ranking: 177 of 180
Score: 24.81

POLITICAL INDICATOR

Ranking: 168
Score: 33.67

ECONOMIC INDICATOR

Ranking: 165
Score: 30.51

LEGISLATIVE INDICATOR

Ranking: 176
Score: 20.17

SOCIAL INDICATOR

Ranking: 178
Score: 16.06

SECURITY INDICATOR

Ranking: 175
Score: 23.62