WSJ: IRAN IS ABUSING THREE MORE AMERICAN HOSTAGES
The Wall Street Journal, April 3 2010- As the three Americans detained in Iran near the end of their eighth month in captivity, it has become increasingly clear that their case, like those of so many other prisoners in Iran, is not legal but political and a matter of human rights.
Since Sarah Shourd, 31, Shane Bauer, 27, and Josh Fattal, 27, were arrested by Iranian authorities who claimed they illegally crossed the border from neighboring Iraq last July, the three Americans have been almost completely cut off from the outside world. Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti, whose embassy represents U.S. interests in Iran, was able to visit the trio twice, but the last time was in late October. It was not until March 9—more than seven months after their arrests—that the three were permitted to call their families for the first time. Read more
April 21, 2010 49 Comments
Iran Lobbies Over Rights Forum
Mohammad javad Larijani, the Head of Iran's Human Rights Delegation in Geneva
26 Feb 10 -Denying rights abuses could prove costly for Tehran, both economically and politically.
Iranian activists have viewed with anger and dismay the outcome of a United Nations review of human rights in Iran and the country’s rejection of its recommendations.
Iran attracted criticism from the West over a lack of freedom of speech and assembly and the position of religious minorities like the Bahais at the routine session in Geneva on February 15 of the UN Human Rights Council. In its reaction to the session, Iran accepted some recommendations but rejected a range of calls to clean up its record and to allow UN human rights and torture inspectors to visit. The UN has no powers to adopt resolutions or enforce any measures raised at the session, called a Universal Periodic Review, UPR. Read more
February 26, 2010 64 Comments
How to Help the Three American “Hikers” Come Home Soon
HuffPo-The Iranian government has announced that they will try the three American citizens who strayed across an unmarked border into Iran in late July. But the question remains how can the U.S. government help free them? And what should the families do to make this perplexing story be over?
Considering similar patterns in the past, it’s almost clear that the three young adventurists are not spies. In fact, if the Iranian authorities had any evidence in this regards, they would have presented it months ago in a public trial to embarrass the U.S. government; something they thrive on.
At this time the families are facing two scenarios. Read more
December 16, 2009 2 Comments
NYTimes: “Top Reformers Admitted Plot, Iran Declares”
Michael Slackman has written a piece about the story of the alleged confessions by the Iranian reformists politicians in the New York Times today. Although, many of these prisoners have not contacted their families for more than two weeks, some of the ranking Iranian officials have claimed that they have confessed to their wrongdoings in the prison. It shows how those people are under a huge pressure. (Read the article here) Read more
July 4, 2009 Leave a Comment
ABC7: “It was an organized fraud”
June 15, 2009 4 Comments
Mousavi’s Supporters in Tehran: Stunning!
June 15, 2009 Leave a Comment
Amanpour in Tehran with Farid Zakaria
June 14, 2009 Leave a Comment
Mousavi: “Stay on the scene, avoid any confrontation”
Entekhab News Agency has received the following message from those close to Mir Hossein Mousavi:
“Regarding the voices of concern raised by Iranian people, I would like to say that my family and I are well, and despite immense pressure from authorities on me to accept the results of this fradulent election, I have gone to Interior Ministry in order to claim my rightful win, to protect people’s votes, and to request nullification of the elections. Also, I am prohibited from appearing among people and contacting or talking to them, and I am under observation. On the other hand, my elections headquarters has been sealed and members of Participation Front have been arrested. I ask the dear people of Iran to stay on the scene, avoid any confrontation which will only benefit the lawless and cheating group.” Mir Hossein Mousavi has also requested a march permit for tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. [for his supporters to march] between Enghelab and Azadi squres.
June 14, 2009 Leave a Comment
A photo: Former President Khatami Without Turban:
Former President Khatami seems to be attacked by a few of Ahmadinejad’s supporters. Look at the hand on his shoulder. Source.
June 14, 2009 1 Comment
Actual Result of Iran’s Election: Mousavi 21 Million, AN: 10 million?
There have been widespread rumors regarding an email sent by a group of employees at MOI’s Election Headquarters about the true result of the election. This is not confirmed by any reliable sources. But according the other news on this topic, and in light of the way in which the election results were announced, it doesn’t really seem that far off. According to this email (which is published in a reformist website as well):
“- Initial results announced by MOI were based only on 500,000 received ballots.
- All 9 communiques of the MOI were written and planned in advance; numbers were faked via a software program which distributed vote counts among polling stations in such a way to make everything look plausible.
- True count: Mousavi - 21.3 million votes (57.2%); Ahmadinejad - 10.5 million (28%); Rezai - 2.7 million votes (7.2%); and Karroubi - 2.2 million votes (6%).
- Voter turnout is at 37.4 million or 81%.
- Invalidated votes are at 600,000.
June 14, 2009 3 Comments
“Down with dictator” on Tehran’s roof tops!
Thousands of Iranians have taken to their roof tops chanting “Down with Dictator”. This is a tradition in Iran to use the roof tops as a safe place to chant against what people object to. This has been done in order to show solidarity with Reformist candidates. I talked to different people from different parts of the city and learned that many people participated in this symbolic support. (Watch the video)
June 14, 2009 Leave a Comment
150 Faculty members of Sharif University resigned!
Iranian websites have reported the resignation of 150 faculty members from Sharif University, one of the most prestigious universities in the Middle East. They have said the fraud in the recent election is the reason for such a decision. (Source)
June 14, 2009 2 Comments
And it’s not just Tehran: A video from Shiraz city
A young man who seems is talking on his cell says that the police is using tear-gas, in Shiraz:
June 14, 2009 Leave a Comment
The Police Destroys Automobiles, Not the Protesters!
A stunning pic from Tehran shows that special guards are in charge of destroying cars, not protesters.
June 14, 2009 1 Comment
CNN: Video of Protests in Iran
June 14, 2009 Leave a Comment