Americans who were held hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Iran are calling for Washington not to issue a visa to the man appointed to be Iran’s new envoy to the United Nations. Hamid Abutalebi was part of a radical student group that seized the embassy in Tehran in 1979. Fifty-two U.S. diplomats and […]
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Jeysh-ol-Adl says hostages safe while talks proceed
Jeysh-ol-Adl, the Sunni group that took five Iranian border officials hostage in February announced in a statement on Tuesday April 1 that it is in negotiation with Iranian authorities, adding that the lives of the hostages will not be in any imminent danger while the talks are ongoing. The group announced last week that […]
Gonabadi Dervishes commemorate 2nd Anniversary of Haj Shamseddin Haeri’s Death
On the occasion of the second death anniversary of Nematollahi Gonabadi honorable great late shaikh , Haj Shamseddin Haeri, “Ershad-Ali” in order to keep alive his memory a ceremony was held magnificently at his gravesite with the widespread presence of Gonabadi Dervishes and their families in Namavaran section of Tehran’s Behesht Zahra cemetery today […]
Weekly Report on Human Right Violation in Iran (31-03-2014)
Responses to Human Rights Abuses in Iran 1. Last week, more than 160 human rights defenders around the world, in a letter addressed to Sadegh Larijani requested the release of Bahareh Hedayat, Maryam shafiepour, and the other women who were human rights defenders and are imprisoned in Iran. 2. On 11th of March, Shahrokh […]
Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Summoned to Intelligence Ministry
A few days after a video was posted on YouTube, showing a short speech by human rights lawyer and former prisoner of conscience Nasrin Sotoudeh, she was summoned to the Intelligence Ministry while on a family holiday, according to her husband Reza Khandan’s Facebook page. Also according to Khandan’s next status update on Facebook, Sotoudeh decided […]
Rouhani: We Have no Alternative but to Implement the Plan
2nd Phase of the Subsidies Law Heralds 25% Hike in Energy Prices Despite the public criticism of the implementation of the second phase of Iran’s lifting of some subsidies, president Hassan Rouhani recently emphasized that “There was no choice but to implement this second phase.” His first deputy echoed his message and announced that […]
Iran dismisses UN stance on human rights in Iran
Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the latest UN human rights vote against the Islamic Republic is “politically motivated” and “counterproductive.” On March 28, the UN Human Rights Council renewed the mission of its human rights rapporteur for Iran, Ahmad Shaheed, with 21 votes in favour, nine against and 16 abstentions. This is the fourth year […]
U.N. Extends Term of Human Rights Monitor, Angering Iran
The Iran government’s effort to portray a kinder and gentler image was frustrated on Friday by the United Nations Human Rights Council, which voted to extend the term of a monitor scorned by Tehran. The Council, concluding its annual meeting in Geneva, renewed the mandate of the monitor, Ahmed Shaheed, for another year in […]
Internet a popular distraction for pilgrims in Mecca
Web-surfing pilgrims in Mecca have become of topic of concern for their travel organizers in Iran. The Supreme Leader’s Pilgrimage Affairs website reports that cultural organizers of the trips say that internet surfing is wasting pilgrims’ time and causing a decline in attendance to worship and prayer rituals. The report indicates that pilgrims, especially […]
Fire near Hamadan museum destroys crafts, booths
A Norooz handcraft exhibition set up next to Hegmataneh Museum in Hamadan caught fire on March 30 due to an unattended heater left on all night. Ten of the exhibition’s 70 stalls reportedly have been completely destroyed. The museum was not affected by the fire, but the handcrafts set up for sale were completely […]