Human rights violations in Iran are at the forefront of attention of the international community of human rights defenders. After Rouhani's election, it was thought that a change would occur in the area of freedom in Iran, but unfortunately, after several years of his presidency, the human rights situation in Iran has worsened.
During this period, the Iranian people showed their dissatisfaction with Rouhani’s government in massive demonstrations, but they always have suppressed, arrested, and imprisoned. “Security forces and the judiciary have responded to these protests with mass arbitrary arrests” (Iran Events). According to Human Rights Watch, “authorities have also tightened their grip on peaceful activism, detaining lawyers and human rights defenders who face charges that could lead to long jail terms” (Iran Events).
People's protests over the economic situation and administrative corruption and the lack of political and social liberties increased in 2017. “According to Alireza Rahimi, a parliamentarian, authorities arrested 4,900 people, including 150 university students, during the December and January protests. According to Iranian media, at least 21 people were killed during the December and January protests, including law enforcement agents” (qtd. in Iran Events). Iran's dictatorship often leads to lengthy arrests and executions after immediate and imminent trials.” Iranian law considers acts such as “insulting the prophet,” “apostasy,” same-sex relations, adultery, and certain non-violent drug-related offenses as crimes punishable by death. The law also prescribes the inhumane punishment of flogging for more than 100 offenses, including drinking alcoholic beverages and extramarital sex, which are prohibited in Iran” (Iran Events).
Human rights defenders, including those tried in the Iranian regime. According to Amnesty International UK, “activists given long jail sentences after trials lasting only 45 minutes”. ‘Offences’ include “contact with the EU and the UN, as well as with media outlets, international trade union associations and human rights groups based outside Iran - including Amnesty International. The activists are often labelled “foreign agents” and “traitors” by Iranian state media” (Iran: Vicious). Amnesty International, in a 94-page report, provides an overview of the suppression of human rights defenders in Iran, including “anti-death penalty campaigners, women’s rights activists, trade unionists, minority rights activists and human rights lawyers” (Iran: Vicious). According to Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Research and Advocacy Director at Amnesty International, “the international community, and in particular the EU, must not stay silent over the outrageous treatment of human rights defenders in Iran”. Luther states that, “Instead of appeasing Iranian officials, the EU should forcefully call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those jailed for their peaceful human rights activism and for an end to the misuse of the justice system to silence activists” (Iran: Vicious). The international community should support the Iranian people, human rights defenders and political prisoners, and condemn the Iranian regime for brutal human rights abuses.
Works Cited
“Iran, Events of 2018.” Human Rights Watch.2019.
“Iran: 'vicious' crackdown on human rights activists under Rouhani - new report.” Amnesty
International UK. Aug 2, 2017.
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