IRAN WATCH CANADA

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Latest News From HRANA : Jafar Azimzadeh Is Released .........


According to news from HRANA , Jafar Azimzadeh the president of the board of " Free Workers Union " is released from prison after 63 days of hunger strike .

Mr. Azimzadeh was released from the hospital ( under prison officials control ) on Thursday evening ( today) . According to news hours after his release due to medical attention he was admitted at " Atieh " Hospital in Tehran.

According to the news he will be looking for medical treatment in a hospital.

Jafar Azimzadeh was sentenced on March 2014 to six years imprisonment and two years ban from any social and online activities.

Mr. azimzadeh is accused of organizing workers in different gathering and in one instance collecting 40,000 strong petition for wage increase and .....


Link:
http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/article.jsp?essayId=74423



Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

More News On Political Prisoners Hunger Strike.....



According to Doctor Hassan Nayeb Hashem's Facebook today June 30th Jafar Azimzadeh the political prisoner after 63 days of hunger strike has ended his hunger strike .
And another news indicates that he is been released from prison. IRAN WATCH CANADA will report to you if this news is intact true.

There is news that Mr. Mohammad Abdollahi also has ended his hunger strike.....

The rest of the political prisoners are still on their hunger strike ......


1- Ehsan Mazanderani..........................45 days on hunger strike

2- Amir Drossy .....................................probably on his 39th day of hunger strike  , there are no news whether he has ended his hunger strike....


3- Mohammad Abdollahi ..............32 days of hunger strike ( To be confirmed if he has ended his hunger strike). News indicates that, his situation is very disturbing .


4- Ayub Asadi .....................26 days of hunger strike .


5- Shahram Pourmansouri .........25th days of hunger strike.

6-Alireza Golipour .....................19th days of hunger strike  ( The prison guard assaulted him and endangered his life .


7- Narges Mohammadi ............3rd days of hunger strike ...


These political prisoners also joined the hunger strike and started their hunger strike:

Arash Sadeghi

Ali ( Amir ) Amirgholi

Ali Moezzi 

Behram Mosavand

Valid Saadi ( not a political prisoner) 

Seymour Khaledian 

959 workers and teacher who had gathered in Pastour St.  in front of the president Hassan Rohani's office has started their 48 hours hunger strike since early this morning 


IRAN WATCH CANADA :

The ending of hunger strike by Jafar Azimzadeh and his release today is yet to be confirmed , it is also the same for Mohammad Abdollahi . 

Doctor Hassan Nayebhashem expressed his willingness to continue his hunger strike in solidarity with political prisoners who are on hunger strike . 


Link:

From the Facebook of doctor Hassan Nayebhashem

Also:
http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/article.jsp?essayId=74401









Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Narges Mohammadi Also Joined The Other Political Prisoners in Hunger Strike......


According to news , Naeges Mohammadi a well known / prominent Iranian Human Rights Advocate and vice president of the Association of Iran Human Rights Defenders, who is in the forefront of the human rights inside Iran, in solidarity with other political prisoners who are on hunger strike started her hunger strike . She is the winner of several international human rights awards and she has been in prison on and off , in her latest prison sentencing she is sentenced to six years imprisonment. She is asking the regime to allow her to contact via phone to her two children who are outside of Iran.
And she is denied of this basic human right.

IRAN WATCH CANADA: Where is President Rohani on this ? President Rohani only serves the regime and not the people .


Link:
https://www.facebook.com/Iranwire/

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

The Commander Of The Police Force In Central Province : The Server Of The Social Networking Is Outside Of Iran And We Are In Danger Because Of It ......

Tasnim News Agency Reported-


Colonel Kiomars Aziz the commander of the police forces of the Islamic regime in central province including Tehran said: We are in danger because of these social networking servers which are outside of Iran .

He added that; more than 43 % of the people in Iran are using these servers like telegram including  53 % of the people in central province .

He said; We don't have any analysis of these servers ,the only thing that we know is that, people are coming and going out of these servers. In a four member family three people are using telegram ,he added.

IRAN WATCH CANADA: If this regime could control the Sun , she would make it to where , when and whom it should shine .......

Link:
https://journalismisnotacrime.com/fa/news/1343/




Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Iranian Political Prisoners Are Dying Inside Islamic Regime Prison And Hassan Rohani The President Who Supposed To Defend Iranian Citizens Rights According to the Constitution Is Doing Nothing .....



Latest news about Iranian political prisoners on hunger strike from Doctor Hassan Nayebhashem's Facebook ....


Narges Mohammadi The Vice President Of The Association Of Iran Human Rights Defenders Also Joined The Hunger Strike Inside Islamic regime prisons.


1- Jafar Azimzadeh ........61 days of hunger strike .......

2- Ehsan Mazanderani .....43 days of hunger strike ......

3- Amir Drosty ...............37 days of hunger strike .......

4- Mohammad Abdollahi ...30 days of hunger strike ....

5- Ayub Asadi ..................24 days of hunger strike ......

6- Shahram Pourmandi .....23 days of hunger strike ....


7- Alireza Golipour ..........17 days of hunger strike .....


And in solidarity with the political prisoners in Iran , doctor Hassan Nayebhashem a well known human rights advocate also went on hunger strike in Geneva and he is on his 16 days of hunger strike


Link from Facebook ....


Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Cry Of Iranian Political Prisoners For Justice .........................


Latest news about Iranian political prisoners on hunger strike from Doctor Hassan Nayebhashem's Facebook ....



1- Jafar Azimzadeh ........58 days of hunger strike .......

2- Ehsan Mazanderani .....40 days of hunger strike ......

3- Amir Drosty ...............34 days of hunger strike .......

4- Mohammad Abdollahi ...27 days of hunger strike ....

5- Ayub Asadi ..................21 days of hunger strike ......

6- Shahram Pourmandi .....19 days of hunger strike ....

7- Alireza Golipour ..........14 days of hunger strike .....



And in solidarity with the political prisoners in Iran , doctor Hassan Nayebhashem a well known human rights advocate also went on hunger strike in Geneva and he is on his 13 days of hunger strike




Link from Facebook ....




Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Friday, June 24, 2016

“Artistic expression is not a crime” – UN rights experts urge the Iranian Government to free jailed artists


GENEVA (24 June 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteurs on cultural rights, Karima Bennoune, and on freedom of expression, David Kaye, today called on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release musicians Mehdi Rajabian and Yousef Emadi, and filmmaker Hossein Rajabian, who were imprisoned and heavily fined earlier this month. 
        
“These three artists were sentenced for exercising their right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity, which in turn results in unjustifiable restrictions on the right of all persons in Iran to have access to and enjoy the arts,” Ms. Bennoune said. “Artistic expression is simply not a crime.” 

The human rights experts contacted the Iranian authorities on these cases earlier this year, including on the use of torture against Mr. Rajabian, musician and founder of Barg Music, an alternative music distributor in Iran. 

Barg Music was the main medium broadcasting alternative music in the country and had introduced more than 100 music albums and thousands of single records by Iranian alternative musicians, as well as female singers, to Iranian audiences, before being shut down by Revolutionary Guards in 2013. 

In May 2015, and, according to the Government’s answer to the UN experts, the three artists were sentenced to six years in prison and a fine of 50 million Rials each (some 1,658 USD) for ‘insulting Islamic sanctities’, ‘propaganda against the State’ and ‘conducing illegal activities in the audiovisual affaires including through producing prohibited audiovisual material and performing an illegal and underground music site’. On appeal, the prison sentence was reduced to three years. 

“We take note that the sentence of the artists was reduced by the appeal court,” Mr. Kaye said. “However, this verdict is still unacceptable: detaining someone on the grounds of ‘insulting the sacred’ and ‘propaganda against the state’ is incompatible with international human rights standards.” 

“I am particularly dismayed that Mehdi Rajabian, Yousef Emadi and Hossein Rajabian were allegedly forced to make self-incriminating televised ‘confessions’ to the charges of having produced prohibited audiovisual materials, to express regret for their work and to apologize for broadcasting the voice of female singers,” Ms. Bennoune said. “This amounts to an extraordinary attack against these artists, and one which has serious repercussions for others in Iran.” 

“The arrest, conviction and sentencing of artists is entirely unacceptable and in complete violation of international human rights law binding on Iran. The three artists should be released immediately and all charges dropped,” they concluded. 

The expert’s call has also been endorsed by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Mr. Juan E. Méndez. 

ENDS 

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Amnesty International calls for immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Homa Hoodfar


Canadian-Iranian citizen Dr. Homa Hoodfar, who was arrested in Iran on June 6 in relation to her peaceful professional work, must be immediately and unconditionally released. Amnesty International considers her to be a prisoner of conscience. The organization calls on the Government of Canada to take all possible diplomatic measures to ensure her immediate release and safe return to Canada.
“The arrest of respected and accomplished scholar, Dr. Homa Hoodfar, is the latest attempt by the Iranian authorities at targeting individuals, including academics, for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association.” said Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada. “It is deeply troubling that someone whose research focuses on addressing women’s inequality can find herself arbitrarily arrested and held, possibly in solitary confinement, without access to a lawyer and her family. At a time when Canada has signalled its intention to restore relations with the Iranian government, it is essential that the Canadian government bring all possible pressure to bear and exhaust all possible avenues to gain her freedom.”
Dr. Homa Hoodfar, who also holds Irish citizenship, is a professor of anthropology at Concordia University in Montreal. Her academic work includes research related to development, family law, refugees, women and electoral politics and human rights. She was in Iran visiting her family and conducting historical and ethnographic research on women's participation in elections since 1906. She was taken from her home by the Revolutionary Guards on March 10 for questioning, shortly before she had planned to leave the country. The authorities also searched her home and seized her personal belongings including her passport, phone, and computer. She was subsequently released on bail but was banned from leaving the country.
While out on bail, Dr. Homa Hoodfar was repeatedly summoned and subjected to interrogations by officials from the Revolutionary Guards without a lawyer present. Amnesty International understands that Dr. Homa Hoodfar may be facing national security related charges but has not yet been formally charged. She is currently held in Tehran’s Evin Prison. Amnesty International is deeply concerned for her health and safety as she has a neurological condition for which she requires specialized medical care that she may not receive in prison. 
Link:

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Javan News Online Wrote : Homa Hoodfar A feminist , Came To Iran To Organize Feminist movement


According to news , Javan news online reported that, Homa Hoodfar is a feminist and have come to Iran to lead / organize a feminist movement in Iran .

Javan newspaper / news online is a newspaper that is ran by Sepah and Sepah security intelligence of the Islamic regime .

The security intelligence of Sepah runs these type of show . Home Hoodfar may be also a victim or hostage of the Islamic regime in Iran before normalization of the diplomatic ties between Iran and Canada for getting its tactical or strategic points .

Nevertheless , Homa Hoodfar done nothing wrong and must be immediately released.



 yesterdays news came from this news online :
http://javanonline.ir

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

The lives Of Four Political Prisoners Inside Islamic Regime Prison In Iran Is In Great Danger .........

Human Rights First , No To Political or Economical Deal With Islamic Regime in Iran !!!


News coming from Iran is quiet disturbing , there are no days comes and goes without protest by political prisoners . It has been months that we hear political prisoners go to hunger strike protesting about their condition/ situation inside prison or suffering from different type of medical condition which need immediate attention but are refused by Islamic regime judiciary or prison officials and the Government of Hassan Rohani does nothing to protect the rights of its citizen as indicated in the constitution.

The recent news shows that more than 100 Iranian intellectuals announced they are worried about these four political prisoner : Jafar Azimzadeh, Alireza Golipour , Ehsan Mazanderani and Shahram Pourmansouri . 

According to their statement Jafar Azimzadeh haven't eat for 54 days and have been in prison for a year without any wrongdoing . 

There are more political prisoners who are unknown to media who's situation is more or less the same.

UN must force the Government of Hassan Rohani and through him to the  Regime in Iran to agree for a UN reporter to attend inside Iranian prison and speak to prisoners including political or other prisoners.

Enough speaking about " moderate Government"  when there is not much changes when it comes for Iran and the ordinary Iranian people . 

Link:
http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/article.jsp?essayId=74295







Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Monday, June 20, 2016

A Caricature and Few Articles Caused " Ghanoon " Newspaper to A Closure .......

According to news , perhaps a cartoon and a few critical article caused Ghanian newspaper to a closure . The complainants against this newspaper are " Sepah " intelligence ministry  and their legal deputy inside parliament. It was with their complaint the public prosecutor ordered for the closure.


Radio Zamaneh reported that, the website of Ghanoon newspaper indicated that the newspaper is accused of " publication of lies to distress the public's mind "  and rejected any wrong doing.

The cartoon shows the dissidents ( people who are critical to Government policies ) are all seated in a toilet bowl and one says : Well my friends, If you agree with the new conspiracy against the Government,  say it, so that i'll flush the toilet".

The point that is interesting is that, couple of people seating inside the toilet bowl wearing violet shirt  and the person who is going to flush is also wearing violet.
Another complaint against the newspaper is about a report on prisoners situation in Greater Tehran prison titled" The 24 damn hour " ....
Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi the public prosecutor of Tehran said; the newspaper and its managers in charge is under legal prosecution.

The newspaper reported about prisoners very bad situation inside prison and the money they have put in the bank as bail and the prisoners should not touch that .

Under Caricature a sentence from Mohammad Bagher Nobakht the spokesperson of the Government was written as : " They have created a brain storming room and are doing conspiracy every week "  .



Link:
http://news.gooya.com/politics/archives/2016/06/213868.php


Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Two Cartoon By Seyed Meysam Agha Seyed Hosseini ...........Pen & Thoughts Are In Chain .........


Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Khamenei The Leader Of The Islamic Regime in Iran To Pro -Regime Students And University Officials : Don't Allow Universities To Become A Place For Dissidents Students To The Islamic Republic .......


Khamenei Warned : Prevent the growth of The Dissident Students  in the universities ....???!!!!!

After 36 Years Of Reign Why Khamenei Still  Afraid From Students ??!!!

According to news coming from Iran , Khamenei the leader of the Islamic regime in Iran in a meeting with pro- regime students and university officials asked them no to allow the universities to become a place for dissident students and opposition to Islamic republic. and he also asked them to guide the  universities to support the Islamic Republic and teach the students about the fundamentals of the Islam.

Link:
http://news.gooya.com/politics/archives/2016/06/213839.php

IRAN WATCH CANADA: Iranian universities were always a place of national awareness and struggle for freedom and against despotism whether secular dictatorship or religious totalitarianism or despotism. Despite of years of suppression and oppression against Iranian students , regime was and is unable to bring the students under their control . despite of making some kind of fake student organizations , still the true and real students carry their social networking and underground organization in Iranian universities and one day they will come out again to challenge the despotic Islamic regime , thats why Khamenei is afraid of Iranian students......

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Zohreh Tonekaboni A Women Rights Activist And Member Of " Mothers For Peace in Iran " Is Banned From Leaving Iran ...

According to news ,  Sepah Intelligence Agents in Imam Khomeini's Airport banned Ms. Zohreh Tonekaboni a women rights advocate and a member of the " Mothers For Peace " from leaving the country.

Ms. Zohreh Tonekaboni is a writer and recently published her book titled " Rooted in The Ground " .

She is one of those political prisoners released after the mass killing of political prisoners by Islamic regime in 1988.


Link:
http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/news.jsp?essayId=74187

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Doctor Hassan Nayeb Hashem On Hunger Strike in Support Of Political Prisoners in Iran .......

According to news , Doctor Hassan Nayeb Hashem in support of the 6 imprisoned political and human rights prisoners went on hunger strike. 


While the UN human rights council is having their session in Geneva , doctor Hassan Nayeb Hashem a well known human rights advocate went on hunger strike in support of 6 Iranian political and human rights prisoners who are also on hunger strike in Islamic regimes prisons. 

While Governments around the world , particularly European and US normalizing their relation with the current so called "moderate" government in Iran for economic gain and closing their eyes on human rights violation under Islamic regime in Iran , the cry of political and human rights prisoners are rising against their silence . According to news in recent months many political prisoners went on hunger strike against all the injustices by the Islamic regime including the government of Hassan Rohani. 

By going into the hunger strike , Doctor Hassan Nayeb Hashem intend to bring the voice of imprisoned Iranian political prisoners who are on hunger strike in Islamic regime's prisons.


Link:



Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Wednesday, June 15, 2016


My wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 37 year old charity worker, was on holiday visiting her family in Iran. She was at the airport returning to the UK on the 3rd April when she was detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. She has been transferred to an unknown location in Kerman Province, 1,000 kilometres south of Tehran, and is being held in solitary confinement.
Gabriella Ratcliffe our 22 month old daughter (who has British citizenship only) has had her British passport confiscated, and is stranded in Iran with her grandparents.
Nazanin has not been allowed to access a lawyer or her daughter. She has not been able to call out of the country to speak to me, her British husband, and the Red Cross have not been able to make contact.
There have been no charges. Nazanin has informed her family that she has been required to sign a confession under duress, its content unknown. Her family have been informed that the investigation relates to an issue of ‘national security’.
It is hard to understand how a young mother and her small child on holiday could be considered an issue of national security. She has been to Iran to visit her family regularly since making Britain her home.
Nazanin currently works as a project manager for the Thomson-Reuters Foundation; which delivers charitable projects around the world. It does not work in Iran.
Nazanin has now been in solitary confinement for over 30 days.
Please help bring my wife and daughter home by signing my petition calling on our Prime Minister David Cameron to use his power and intervene.

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Monday, June 13, 2016

My Interrogator Known As " Doctor 240 " Was Threatening Me To Sexually Assaulting Me.......


Hengameh Shahid member of " Etemade Melli " party and one of the advisor to 2009 Presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi ( Who is now under house arrest) .

Ms. Hengameh Shahid break her silence and explains her imprisonment story after seven years ........

" My  body freezes from the cold cell of 240 , my hands were painful because of punching on the door and wall of 240 , my throat punctured because of my screams against my interrogator known as doctor 240, my interrogator said had made me a favour in a room with two by one closed door  and no one was there except him and me , not sexually assaulting me although he is allowed to do is because of his human dignity " .

She added: " The Interrogator was trying to force me for forced confession video recording that , i am a spy of MI6 came from England to Iran ( Because i studies four years for my Phd. in England) to bring message to the head of green movement to ask people to come out to the streets to protest .

She spoke about her ordeal , escaping from many agents of the regimes who where searching for her, she was hiding in friends house , she even bought ticket to return to England but was unable and finally she was kidnapped in Haravy Square in Tehran and brought to Evin prison and was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment.  She spoke of spending time in solitary confinement and spending time in ward number 209 and intense  interrogation and ......


Link:
http://news.gooya.com/politics/archives/2016/06/213602.php














Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

All Governments Must Respect Human Rights And The Rights Of Their Citizens ...........All Governments Must Also Held Responsible For Violating The Rights Of Their Citizens .......


 " Atre Yas " newspaper which publishes in Arak city reports that, a blogger from the city of Saveh was sentenced to 444 lashes with a complaint by three officials who holds in managerial positions in the Central province . This sentencing was given based on Islamic laws.

Mohammad Reza Fathi is a blogger and a journalist in Saveh city , he is accused of  six charges which carries 74 lashes each.

Mr. Fathi denied any wrong doing and he said he was just writing about the rights of the society , the social issues and defended the public funds .


Link:
http://www.akhbar-rooz.com/news.jsp?essayId=74081




Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Court awards Iran’s non-diplomatic assets in Canada to terror victims in $13-million case


TORONTO — The Iranian government lost a key court battle Thursday when an Ontario judge ordered the Islamic republic’s non-diplomatic assets in Canada to be handed over to victims of terrorist groups sponsored by Tehran.
The long-awaited ruling by the Ontario Superior Court dismissed every argument Iran’s lawyers had made at a trial held in Toronto in January, leaving Tehran financial responsible for the actions of the terrorists it has backed.
“Terrorism is one of the world’s greatest threats,” Justice Glenn Hainey wrote. “The broad issue before the court is whether Iran is entitled to immunity from the jurisdiction of Canadian courts for its support of terrorism.”
Iran’s diplomatic buildings in Ottawa remain unaffected, but several non-diplomatic properties and the contents of a list of bank accounts were awarded to the victims of the Iranian-supported terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
The $13-million case was the first challenge of the Justice for Victims of Terror Act. The 2012 law allows victims to collect damages from state sponsors of terror groups. Canada has designated Iran and Syria state sponsors of terrorism.
Link:

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Friday, June 10, 2016

Ottawa ‘concerned’ about health of Canadian arrested in Iran

The Trudeau government says it is unsure why Iran arrested and imprisoned a Canadian-Iranian professor, even as Iran’s Justice Minister suggested it is linked to Canada’s refusal to extradite another dual citizen accused of money-laundering.
The government says it’s doing everything possible to free Concordia University anthropology professor Homa Hoodfar, who was in Iran studying gender and Islam when she was initially detained in March, released and then rearrested and jailed last week.
“It’s very urgent. We are very concerned about Dr. Hoodfar and we want to do everything we can to get her out of there as quickly as possible,” Omar Alghabra, the parliamentary secretary for consular affairs told reporters in Ottawa. “We are trying to understand what happened.”
Dr. Hoodfar’s family said the 65-year-old professor, who also holds an Irish passport, had suffered a stroke in the past and was feeling under psychological pressure from interrogations by Iran’s secret service.
“She is quite ill. A rare neurological disease,” according to Kaveh Ehsani, a friend and professor at DePaul University in Chicago. “We haven’t been able to get her medication for her. She hasn’t seen a doctor. We’re quite worried about the overall situation.”
It appears Iran is using Dr. Hoodfar as leverage to get its hands on a long sought after Iranian-Canadian banker now living in Toronto. Iranian Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi told reporters Wednesday in Tehran that Canada has rejected repeated requests to hand over Mahmoud Reza Khavari, the former chief of the Melli Bank of Iran.
Mr. Khavari, who is also a dual Iranian-Canadian citizen, fled Iran to Toronto in September of 2011 as prosecutors in Tehran sough to question him in connection with a $2.6-billion embezzlement and money-laundering scandal.
“Unfortunately, although Canada is a member of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), it only speaks in words, doesn’t show necessary co-operation, is not committed and has not rendered any co-operation (on Khavari’s case) yet,” the Farsi news agency quoted Mr. Pourmohammadi as saying.
In September, Nasser Seraj, the head of Iran’s General Inspectorate Organization, complained that Canada and other Western countries were benefiting from illegal money laundering.
“People like Khavari – a main culprit in the $2.6-billion bank scam in Iran – should be handed over to Iran and the cash that they have taken out of the country should also be returned,” Mr. Seraj said.
Mr. Alghabra, the consular affairs official, would not discuss Iran’s request for Mr. Khavari and whether Dr. Hoodfar is being used as a bargaining chip.
“We have privacy concerns so I can’t comment on the details of the cases but I don’t know why they are linking the two and I find it strange,” he said. “We don’t have a solid confirmation of why they are doing that.”
A senior Canadian official said the imprisonment of Dr. Hoodfar has complicated behind-the-scenes Canadian efforts to re-establish diplomatic relations with Tehran that were severed by the former Conservative government in 2012.
Canada lifted economic sanctions against Iran in February and indicated it would like to reopen the Canadian embassy in Tehran.
Mr. Alghabra was coy when asked if the Iranians have been told that Dr. Hoodfar’s arrest could jeopardize the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We don’t want to right now risk the chance of getting her out as quickly as possible and have it depend on the negotiations with the Iranians,” he said. “But obviously they know we are very interested in Dr. Hoodfar’s case and I am sure they are watching the [interest] this is receiving by parliamentarians, by the government, by the media and we know they will pay attention and that she will be released very soon.”
Mr. Alghabra said a further complication in efforts to win Dr. Hoodfar’s release from the notorious Evin prison, where Canadian-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi was tortured and killed in 2003, is the fact that there is no Canadian embassy in Tehran. Canada has to rely on friendly countries with embassies in Iran to negotiate with the Iranians. He declined to say which embassies where acting on Canada’s behalf.
Dr. Hoodfar’s niece, Amanda Ghahremani, said the family is baffled at the arrest of her aunt who has never been involved in any political activities. Her lawyers have not been given access, either.
“We are all very concerned about her. We are all very worried about her,” Ms. Ghahremani said. “The fact that we have absolutely no information or access to her in this detention is very worrisome. At the very least, we’d hope her lawyer would have access to her and understand what is going with her file and see what the charges are and help her as her lawyer. We are just very exhausted and frustrated because we can’t understand why she would be in these circumstances.”
Conservative Foreign Affairs critic Tony Clement said the imprisonment of Dr. Hoodfar demonstrates the folly of the Trudeau government’s policy of re-engagement with the Iranian regime.
“The professor was arrested and incarcerated after the new Liberal government unveiled its new sunny ways policy to lift sanctions against Iran and announced dialogue with Iran and said it would have a new relationship with Iran and then they arrest one of our citizens,” Mr. Clement said. “That still didn’t save this woman from being arrested and incarcerated.”
Several dual nationals, including people with French, British and U.S. passports, have been arrested in Iran over alleged security-related issues. Iran refuses to recognize dual nationality.
 Link:

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Thursday, June 09, 2016

Homa Hoodfar In Evin Prison.........

My own experience in early revolution years ( 1982-......)  in Evin and other prison......

Those Iranian who have been living in another country as resident or student or.....when they go back to Iran and at the airport when they confront with revolutionary guards ( Members of Sepah ) and when they hand in their passport to them, the anxiety kicks in and the heart pumps , the anxiety and heart pumping increases when you are being questioned and asked to another room for few more question . You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire . They have some kind of information about you either right or wrong . You be lucky if let go , if not !? you will be taken to an office at the airport and then from there by car to Evin prison.
While going to Evin prison in a car with two revolutionary guards and a driver , everything is in total silence , you may talk but it goes no where, until you reach to the tall and wide gate of Evin prison and there you will get off the car , put a black blindfold given to you and get inside the Horrendous  Evin prison. As soon as in Evin prison , your sight is gone, total blind , and the guards will lead you to an office where the person  in charge  will call you a number you must remember ,where they will deal your case and at the same location you will be asked to lean to a wall and they ask you to remove your blindfold without looking around , just straight to the front and all you will see is a flash of light , a picture taken with a number you hold on your chest for your case file.

I don't know why the Islamic regime does these inhuman court process, all in such a way that makes people sick . Under  Islamic regime's law you are guilty until proven otherwise . You are being arrested , detained , interrogated / tortured , or force people to make video confession of what they haven't done or have no clue about. Under Islamic regime they don't take you to a court first , they instead take you to a prison first.

While they are taking you to Evin prison , the agents or revolutionary guards may kick you, punch you with their fist ( by the way , a few times i was hit by punch ...it was like a hammer coming on your head ) .

These early stage inhuman process itself is very stressful and dangerous for people who have nervous break down or nerve system problem and it can endanger their life so quickly .

Regime doesn't care or don't pay attention about people who suffers some kind of physical or mental challenges.

Then you will be brought to a corridor with some rooms , you will be asked to seat on your feet and wait . One room is the kangaroo court and another is the torture chamber .

While waiting your mind goes in every direction and the whole world shatters on you , then you may hear voices of guards or interrogator who playfully use words that you may think its about you .

You wait and wait .... no matter how long it will take . While there you may hear someone next to you talking to you and asking question , for example: whats your name , why are you here?
You have to be very careful , sometimes these people might not be a prisoner like yourself and instead an informant , trying to talk to you and record what you say !!??

You eat and sleep in the corridor . during breakfast time, four or five people seat together around a tray and eat their breakfast , you are allowed to bring up the blindfold a little bit, just barely to see the food you are going to take and put into your mouth. If you are in a solitary confinement or in a ward with more than 20-30 people , the story is different.

The first things after a long silent waiting is that, you will be asked to go in a room , where they call it a court , court in a prison of course , blindfolded without lawyer , you can't see the person or persons in the room , he may be a judge , prosecutor or an interrogator , you don't know. The person in the room may be a clergy who instead of being in the mosque to preach , is now acting as a judge , prosecutor , interrogator or torturer..........

The person inside the room will guide you to a chair at the end of the room with a small window , however you can't see outside and asks you to push up your blindfold a bit to see the questionnaire . you can't turn your head back to see the people or the person inside the room , all you have to do is now to answer the questions . while writing the answer , you hear screams , cry or shouts from other rooms or the hallway .......
The questions are divided into political belief or political belonging and religious belief or your thoughts about the founder of the regime and .........

It depends how you answer the questions ......





To be continued.......





Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

More On Homa Hoofer The Iranian-Canadian Retired Professor Of Concordia University Who Is Arrested And Detained IN Iran By Islamic Regime...


More News coming .....

According to one news , Ms. Homa Hoodfer went to Iran to do more research on women participation in political arena in the Islamic countries and culture and on " Sangsar " ( Stonning the women to death ).

Home Hoodfer's Niece Ms. Amanda Ghahremani who is a human rights lawyer told to Canadian Press that ; her aunt is arrested and detained by Sepah Pasdaran and she has no access to family lawyer and she did not call home since her arrest. And She suffers a kind of nerve problem and need to take her medication.

Her sister Katayoon Hoodfar in speaking to Guardian Newspaper said; Her sister suffers from a kind of rare nueorogiral body nerve system and need attention .


Link:
http://news.gooya.com/politics/archives/2016/06/213419.php

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Wednesday, June 08, 2016

Homa Hoodfar speaking on Women Situation and Their Very Little presence in the Parliament ....She is talking About Her Book and Workshops on Women Gender issues .....


Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Homa Hoodfar 65 Years Old Retired Iranian-Canadian Professor Of Concordia University Is In Evin Prison In Iran .....

She Also Holds Irish Citizenship .......

According to news , Doctor Homa Hoodfer is an Iranian- Canadian professor of Anthropology in Concordia University of Montreal is arrested on Monday June 6 , 2016 .

Ms. Hoodfar said;  five days before her arrest , she received a summon to attend at the prosecutors office on June 6 ,2016 and it was at the office she was arrested , while she was free before that.


According to her parents ,Ms. Hoodfar travelled to Iran  to visit her parents and do research on the presence of Iranian women in the election in Iran but on March 9, 2016 two days before her return to Canada the Sepah agents attended at her home and told her she is banned to leave the country .

Homa's sister Katayoon Hoodfer told to reporters that, on June 1 , she received a phone call and she was asked to attend at the prosecutors office on June 6 and she was arrested there.
The Sister added that, at first her sister taught it is a misunderstanding and thats why she didn't publicize the issue.

Report indicates that, Two days before her travel back to Canada Sepah intelligence attended at her home and searched the house , went through her personal belonging , and took her lap top , passport , books , her identity cards, her research booklets and her cell phone and those agents told her that she is banned to leave the country.


She was summoned, interrogated for several times and deposited more than 100,000,000 Tuman for the bail ( Tuman -Iranian Money - One US dollar is = 3300 Tuman ).

Her parents indicated that; she suffers from a kind of nerve problem and she had brain hemorrhage in the past and her situation deteriorated after the interrogation.

Her family members wrote; We the family members of Homa Hoodfar worried about her health  and hold the Islamic republic judiciary responsible for her safety .

Homa Hoodfar has written extensive article on sexuality and Islam and she is also a citizen of Ireland.

Ms. Hoodfar had travelled several times to Iran in the past. And has so many research on women situation in Egypt and Afghanistan......

Regime  accused her of  collaborating with a foreign country against Islamic Republic .

Link:
http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2016/06/160608
_u04_homad_hodfer_arrest





Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Clergy Mustafa Pourmohahhadi The Judiciary Minister : Canada Isn't Cooperating With Us For The Return Of Khavari.....


According to ISNA news agency , Clergy Mustafa Pourmohammadi the judiciary Minister of the Islamic regime in Iran in a press conference said:
Unfortunately Canada isn't cooperating with us for the return of Mahmoud Khavari.
He added that; Islamic regime in Iran has judiciary cooperation and agreement with 50 countries in the world.
He said: Canada doesn't have necessary cooperation with us for Kmhavari's return and we hope in the future it will happen.

IRAN WATCH CANADA: Mahmoud Kmhavari was the head of Bank Melli in Iran and during Ahmadinejad presidency he escaped with huge amount of money to Canada.
Link:
http://www.isna.ir/news/95031711567/


Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin

Regime Has Intensified Its Attack On Online Activities....

According to IRNA news agency - today Wednesday  " the Fajr security Sepah "  in Fars province region has arrested 12 online users . These online users are dress designers , manikin and.... and are charged with   " propagating online cultural corruption " . Furthermore the Sepah security forces calls those arrested as    " The original elements of Ankaboot project " .


" The Ankaboot project " is a term used by Sepah forces to arrest and detain many social online users and internet activists for alleged charges for propagating the corruption and changing the Islamic style life in Iran.

The Fajr Sepah communique explained those arrested as :

" 20 business Studio , dress designers and manikin which were using the online for propagating cultural corruption and changing the Islamic style of life in Iran ."

According to this communique Sepah has closed these business and arrested 12 people .


Earlier Sepah had announced the arrest and prosecution of 170 people who were handling the websites for  modelling business and the arrest of eight people.

Link:
http://www.radiofarda.com/content/f9-iran-revolutionary-gurad-arrests-12-fashion-models/27786507.html






Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin


Iran: Most recent backlash against Baha’is exposes authorities’ extreme intolerance for religious minority group


GENEVA (8 June 2016) – Two United Nations human rights experts today said that the current wave of incitement of hatred of the Baha’i community reflected in speeches made by religious, judiciary and political officials in the Islamic Republic of Iran “has exposed the Iranian authorities’ extreme intolerance for adherents of the religious minority group.” 

“Verbal attacks by state officials against an already vulnerable community like the Baha’is are extremely troubling not only because they directly violate Iran’s international legal obligation not to discriminate against its citizens, but because they could encourage discrimination and possibly acts of violence against this group by others,” stated the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed. 

The latest public backlash against the Baha’i community in Iran began after the daughter of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Faezeh Hashemi, visited the home of Fariba Kamalabadi on 13 May after Ms. Kamalabadi had been granted a temporary release from prison. Ms. Kamalabadi is one of seven former Baha’i leaders who have been imprisoned in the country since 2008 for peacefully exercising their faith. 

On 18 May, the Judiciary’s spokesman, Gholamanhossein Mohseni Ejei, announced it would pursue charges against Ms. Hashemi, who became acquainted with Ms. Kamalabadi during her own brief imprisonment in Evin Prison in 2012, because her decision to meet the political prisoner constituted a “very ugly and obscene act.” 

Since mid-May, 169 religious, judiciary and political leaders have allegedly openly spoken or written against the Baha’i community in Iran. Between 18 May and 4 June, Friday prayer sermons by clerics appointed by the Office of the Supreme Leader reportedly attacked, condemned, or criticized beliefs espoused by members of the Baha’i community, declaring that the Baha’i faith was essentially a fabricated political party masquerading as a religion. 

After the Friday sermons, a number of newspapers published articles and opeds linking members of the Baha’i community with Iran’s enemies and branding them “Zionists”, encouraging violence. On 4 June, for example, Tasnim News Agency reminded its readers that the Bahá’í faith was created by Britain and Israel, that considering “Bahaism” a legitimate religion amounted attacking the Hidden Imam, and that individuals who are in contact with this sect should face criminal prosecution. 
  
“Comments like this are especially egregious when so many Baha’is are already the targets of arbitrary arrests, home raids, confiscation and destruction of property and businesses, denial of employment, and restricted access to education,” Mr. Shaheed stressed. “They plainly demonstrate the state’s ongoing and systematic persecution of this community.” 

There are currently at least 72 Baha’is in prison solely because of their religious beliefs and practices. 

The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bieelfeldt, noted that “the Baha’is have always been a marginalized and vulnerable group devoid of proper legal protections because Iran’s constitution does not officially recognize them as religious minorities.” 

The increasingly hostile rhetoric against the Baha’i community goes beyond stripping its members of rights and treating them like second-class citizens,” Mr. Bielefeldt said. “It places the community before a very dangerous precipice where its very existence may be threatened.” 

The expert recalled that the Iranian government has been a party to the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. “These covenants not only protect people’s right to freedom of religion, which is a non-derogable right, but also their right to liberty and security of person,” he said. 

“After years of blatant prejudice against the Baha’i community, the latest round of attacks and incitement to hatred is truly shocking and utterly unacceptable,” Mr. Shaheed said. 

The Special Rapporteurs urged the Iranian authorities “to put an end to all forms of discrimination and incitement against the Baha’is and to thoroughly investigate, and prosecute, individuals who perpetrate these acts regardless of rank or position.” 

The UN experts also renewed their call on the Government of Iran to end state-sanctioned discrimination against the group. They urged the authorities to review the cases of the detained 72 Bahia’s currently in prison for organising religious gatherings, advocating for the right to education, or managing the religious and administrative affairs of their community. 

ENDS 
        
Special Rapporteurs Ahmed Shaheed and Heiner Bielfeld are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. 

Learn more, log on to: 
Human rights in Iran: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/IRIndex.aspx 
Freedom of religion: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomReligion/Pages/FreedomReligionIndex.aspx 

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Iran: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/IRIndex.aspx   

For more information and media requests, please contact Mr. Naveed Ahmed (+41 22 928 9477 / nahmed@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts: 
Xabier Celaya – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)   
        
For your news websites and social media: Multimedia content & key messages relating to our news releases are available on UN Human Rights social media channels, listed below. Please tag us using the proper handles:
Twitter: 
@UNHumanRights
Facebook: 
unitednationshumanrights
Instagram:
 unitednationshumanrights 
Google+: unitednationshumanrights
Youtube: 
unohchr 

Send Me A Message | | | | Balatarin