Protected: Impact Iran Digest – January 2024
Welcome to the first edition of Impact Iran’s Digest – a brief monthly roundup of our coalition’s individual and collective activities and endeavors, all centered around the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
As we look back to 2023 with the new year underway, it is evident that last year was a challenging time for human rights in Iran. The increase in the number of executions, along with the continued systematic violation of many fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, fair trial, and the ongoing discrimination against women, ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities, reminded us once again that the path of struggle for the improvement of human rights is a long and challenging journey, best confronted by strength in numbers and collective endeavor.
Joint Initiatives
This month saw the tragic executions of 4 Kurdish political prisoners, Mohsen Mazloum, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hajir Faramarzi, who had been detained since June 2022. Read our joint appeal against these executions here.
“Impact Iran reaffirms that international condemnation of cases of individuals facing execution, when coupled with proactive diplomatic engagement and concrete actions to hold Iran accountable on the international stage, are not just mere symbolic acts. They are powerful tools in preventing executions and have saved lives in Iran.”
Later in January came the announcement that Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif will visit the Islamic Republic of Iran from February 2-5. Our coalition members joined a group of 25+ organizations in urging the Deputy High Commissioner to reconsider the timing of her visit in the wake of the recent executions, and the upcoming crucial March session of the Human Rights Council for human rights in Iran. Find the statement here (via IHRDC).
Coalition Highlights
ECPM
Executive Director Raphaël Chenuil-Hazan pays tribute to the recently executed Iranian protestor Mohammad Ghobadloo at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (via Twitter).
ARTICLE 19
Find A19’s statement on Ghobadloo’s execution here. Per Executive Director Quinn McKew:
‘The international community is shockingly silent on these grave human rights violations in Iran. The space for protest and free expression is nearly non-existent. We worry that Ghobadlu’s case, without a pretense of any due process, with less than 23 hours of warning of the execution, is another horrific new chapter in the Islamic Republic’s crimes. We urge the Iranian authorities to change course, uphold the principles of justice and human rights, and to cease the use of the death penalty as a tool of political repression. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such blatant disregard for fundamental human rights.’
KURDPA
More information from the lawyer of the 4 Kurdish political prisoners during their final days. Kurdpa continues its extensive coverage and documentation of individual human rights cases in Iranian Kurdistan. Find more information on their website.
New Members
Impact Iran is pleased to welcome three new members this January as part of its coalition:
Ahwaz Human Rights Organization
“Ahwaz Human Rights Organization(AHRO) is an international human rights advocacy NGO, who supports and advocates for the Ahwazi Arabs in the Southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan (also called Al-Ahwaz or Arabistan). Ahwazi Arabs – a national and linguistic minority in Iran, and an oppressed and persecuted ethnic group.”
Balochistan Human Rights Group
“Balochistan Human Rights Group (BHRG) is an independent and non-profit human rights organization that works to fill the information gaps which exists due to lack of access to Balochistan and it relies on strong research tools and documents and effective communication methods. BHRG provides relevant, verified and up-to date information regarding the human rights situation in Western (Iranian) Balochistan.”
Defenders of Human Rights Center
Founded in 2001, the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC) is an Iranian human rights organization which advocates for the rights of women, political prisoners, and minorities in Iran. Its president is 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, and its vice president is 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammedi, currently incarcerated in Evin prison.
