Wave of arrests among Sunni Arabs before Eid al-Fitr

Human rights activists in Iran report that internal security forces in Khosestan Province have arrested Sunni Arabs in various cities, including Ahvaz, in the run up to the Eid al-Fitr holiday (August 18-19).

Read More According to reports, 19 members of the Sunni Arab minority have arrested since the wave began several days ago.

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Human rights activists urge UNSG to take “practical steps” for the release of political prisoners in Iran

In a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 190 Iranian political and human rights activists, and media personalities urge him to take “practical steps” for the release of political prisoners in Iran. The letter further stated that the activists also encouraged Ban Ki-Moon to meet Iran’s opposition leaders, who are jailed or are under house arrest, and called for their earliest possible release.

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Workers’ rights activist transferred to the dangerous criminals division in Tabriz prison

Shahrokh Zamani, a workers’ rights activist and a member of the Council for the Establishment of Labor Unions, is imprisoned in Tabriz. For reasons that remain unclear, he has been transferred to the unit where dangerous criminals (murderers, rapists, etc.) are incarcerated. Zaman, 47, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being accused of, among other things, establishing an illegal group that opposes the regime, known as The Democratic Worker’s Movement, for purposes of disturbing the security of the state by organizing labor strikes and armed rebellion.

Source: Iran Daily Brief