Nobel Women's Initiative

Shirin Ebadi reports on human rights in Iran, May-June 2013

Shirin_podiumNobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi released her review of the human rights situation in Iran for May and June 2013. In this segment Ebadi focuses in particular on freedom of expression and the free flow of information.

Ebadi highlights three separate instances where a group known as “the unknown virtual jihad” hacked websites to disrupt service during the Iranian presidential elections. This group is known to operate in consultation with officials and agents of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Google also highlighted politically motivated attempts to hack the personal accounts of Iranians.

Further intimidating and impeding the free flow of information, the Intelligence Ministry summoned family members of Iranian journalists reporting for Persian language media organizations outside of Iran.

All of these activities demonstrate the government’s attempt to restrict freedom of expression.

The rest of the report is broken down into three sections:

1. Political and Civil Rights – provides lists of political prisoners and the abuse they experience along with their families
a) Situation of Nonconformist Political-Social Activists – provides lists of political prisoners and the abuse they experience along with their families
b) Situation Regarding Books, Media, Writers and Journalists – outlines persecution targeting individuals who produce creative and investigative projects considered a threat by the government
c) Other Instances of Human Rights Abuse – highlights censorship, repression, arrests and executions
2. Economic and Social Rights –  calls attention to economic mismanagement and corruption resulting in job loss or overdue salary payment for workers
3. Cultural Heritage and Environment – presents information on the destruction of forests, water encroaching on a monument in Tehran, and an unexplained explosion that took the lives of children

Learn More

A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in khordad 1392 [21 May to 21 June 2013], Centre for Defenders of Human Rights, 07 July 2013.

A Brief Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in Farvardin 1392 [March-April 2013], Centre for Defenders of Human Rights, 02 May 2013.

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