Message of Maryam Rajavi to the Conference at the US Senate

Washington, D.C. - In a briefing held at the Senate Kennedy Caucus Room, senior senators and former national security officials condemned the flagrant violations of human rights in Iran and the clerical regime's meddling in the region.

They stressed on the need to adopt a firm policy on the religious dictatorship ruling Iran.

During Rouhani’s so-called “moderate” presidency, more than 2,600 people have been executed.
According to the United Nations, this marks the largest number of executions in the past 25 years.
In order to create an atmosphere of repression and fear in society, the clerical regime has been executing a large number of victims, in public places.
At least 70 women have been hanged during Rouhani’s term.
Despite a decline in sanctions and transferring a considerable amount of cash to the mullahs’ pocket, the Iranian economy is suffering from recession. 

Maryam Rajavi

Iran:More Arrests of Iranian Youths for Mixed Gender Partying.

 Authorities in Iran have arrested at least 50 young men and women who attended a mixed-gender party.

"Families must be more vigilant regarding their children to make sure they do not end up in such circumstances”, says Mojtaba Vahedi, the head of the judiciary in Damavand, east of Tehran.

A report on Friday, July 22, by the state-run Tasnim news agency said more than 50 young men and women were arrested at a party that was organized via social networking.

Security forces monitoring social media obtained a warrant after ‘carrying out the necessary investigations’, and judicial files have been opened against those arrested at the party, Tasnim quoted Vahedi as saying.

Iran:More Arrests of Iranian Youths for Mixed Gender Partying.

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Iran:Former EU Commissioners Warn Against Deals with Iran

Iran:Former EU Commissioners Warn Against Deals with Iran

Brussels, 20 Jul - EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced the lifting of “multilateral and national” sanctions on Iran on 16 January this year, saying the nuclear deal showed that intense diplomacy could resolve even “the most difficult issues”. However, this new position came despite the EU sanctions still imposed on Tehran due to its poor human right record and links with terrorist organizations.

As the European Union now moves towards more business dealings with Iran, former Commissioners Karel de Gucht and Louis Michel have urged EU institutions and member states to make any dealings conditional upon Tehran improving its human rights record.

Michel, father of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, was European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid between 2004 and 2009. De Gucht was in charge of the trade portfolio between 2010 and 2014. Both men played an important role in forging the EU’s business relationships with other countries over the last decade.

IRAN: Exclusive: Women in Iran face dual discriminations

 

#Iran Exclusive: #women in Iran face dual discriminations

#Iran Exclusive: #women in Iran face dual discriminations

Women in Iran carry the burden of a dual discrimination. Both the judicial system in the country and the strict interpretation of Sharia laws by the fundamentalist mullahs have been combined to ignore the basic human rights of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Not only the discrimination against women in Iran is legalized, but also institutionalized. Although one could argue that women’s rights are violated in many countries, and that women are suppressed in many Muslim countries under the “sharia law”, but Iran remains unique as its crackdown is embedded in the constitution, and civil and administrative laws.

IRAN:Excerpts of Amnesty International's 2015/2016 report on violation of human rights in Iran:

Womenremained subject to discrimination under the law, particularly criminal and family law, and in practice.

Women and girls also faced new challenges to their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Parliament debated several draft laws that would further erode women’s rights, including the Bill to Increase Fertility Rates.

Iran - Women: Sholeh Pakravan denounce juvenile execution

“Don’t, don’t, don’t execute Heiman Oraminejad

Sholeh Pakravan, mother of Reyhaneh Jabbari, young indoor decorator who was executed for self-defending against an intelligence agent,

addressed the mullahs’ head of judiciary in a letter after a death sentence was approved against a young man called Heiman Oraminejad. The letters reads in part:

“Don’t, don’t, don’t execute Heiman Oraminejad. Execution of under-age people supposed to be stopped.

Iran: Victim of child marriage, victim of violence against women

Iran: Victim of child marriage, victim of violence against women

Sakineh Ozbak, 15, was forcibly married to an old man when she was 14.

With a typical outbreak of quarrels in such marriages two weeks ago,

the husband beat up the 15-year-old girl and threw her down the third floor's balcony.

She has undergone surgery for a broken pelvis, broken jaw and a torn-up ear, so far.

The hospital’s cost is 7 million toumans which her father does not afford.

She has been abandoned in Shariati Hospital with no interventions by the police or any government agency.

Child marriages are sanctioned by law in Iran and violence against women is not considered a crime.  

Iran- women: Temporary marriage ads

Iran- women: Temporary marriage ads

The misogynist laws of the Iranian regime have found their way on the walls of the capital.

This ad posted on a wall in Tehran reads: “A young, respectful woman is needed for temporary marriage”.

According to the constitution and laws of the Iranian regime, men are allowed numerous temporary marriages without obliging the man to provide financial support for his ex-wife or the child born out of such temporary engagement. The woman also does not enjoy any legal or government protection after being divorced.

Iran :Voice of the Oppressed Women

Iran :Voice of the Oppressed Women

Iran:Do Women  have  any  rights  in Iran?

From the standpoint of the ruling regime and its dictated rules:

Women's most important responsibility is homemaking and raising children.

Women cannot leave their homes or travel abroad without their husbands' permission.

Women covering up is an essential principle which must be observed and safeguarded.

Women are not entitled to custody of their children.

Women's main occupation should not be jobs and employment.

Women must not sing since their voice is "Satanic".

Women must not enter sports stadiums since they are male environments.

Women must not defend themselves against rape otherwise they are executed.

Women are not trust worthy enough to be granted sensitive responsibilities.

Women are not trust worthy enough to be granted sensitive responsibilities.

Women are not qualified to serves as a judge or president.

 And the list goes on…

A brief glance over women's rights in today's Iran, leads us to conclude that women are sub-humans who virtually do not have any rights in life; but what is the truth?

The truth is that Iranian women have stood up to the mullahs' massive repression and have never surrendered to the misogynous regime.

Many died under torture, were executed by firing squads or kissed their hanging noose but did not budge and iota on the most important demand and needs of their nation, that is national sovereignty and democratic freedoms.

Many preferred to spend long years behind bars in the cold of dungeons and prison cells and go on hunger strike, forsaking their homes, families and loved ones. Others rose up everywhere in any factory, university and school to demand their rights.

Therefore, it could be rightly said that the most prominent distinction between the Iranian Resistance and the regime ruling Iran is on women's issue.

In 1985, the National Council of Resistance of Iran adopted a platform on the rights of women containing 13 articles. Then in September 1988, the Iranian Resistance's President-elect Maryam Rajavi completed that plan and offered a new ten-point plan on the rights of women to guarantee women's rights in the free Iran of tomorrow.

Contrary to the misogynous laws of the clerical regime, the plan recognizes all rights of women as equal and independent human beings and provides them the opportunity to advance in education, science, society, economy and politics to the highest levels.

Iran: Formation of new force to suppress women

of new force to suppress women

Commander of the State Security Force, Hossein Ashtari, gave news of formation of a new force especially tasked with suppression of women, youthsand teenagers.

“We will not allow the elections to become an opportunity for those with ill wills”, said Ashtari revealing the regime's fear of another uprising by women and youths.

Iran: Low income families resort to sale of their children

Iran: Low income families resort to sale of their children

Dspreading tragedy of selling newborns due 2 extreme poverty in Iran is D outcome ofD mullahs' crimes against women

An Iranian MP, Abass Gha'ed Rahmat, revealed that sale of infants is turning into a common practice in Iran but the government has neglected it.

Rahmati also admitted that the government has not allocated enough budget to social ills. He said: “Lack of jobs and housing as well as addiction (of parents) are the main elements leading families towards selling their children and infants”.

Iran - Tehran - The shining stars and heroines of the Iranian Resistance

The shining stars and heroines of the Iranian Resistance

February8th marks the anniversary of  a fate –making event  in the history of the  Iranian people 's quest for freedom.

On February 8, 1982, Khomeini's Revolutionary Guards surrounded and destroyed the headquarters and killed some of the most prominent leading figures of the PMOI. Khomeini –still alive in those days-- thought that by dealing such a heavy blow to the opposition, he could put up a show of force, demoralize the staunch supporters of the movement and break their resistance in prisons and outside.

It was an unequal battle between thousands of heavily armed guards vs. 20 freedom fighters. He thought victory is certain. However, the champions of freedom did not surrender and fought to the last breath, creating an epical scene that strengthened the movement even further.

The women involved in this battle left a brilliant legacy in the history of the Iranian people's struggle for freedom and democracy. Brave women who did not surrender and resisted and fought courageously to the last breath to herald a new world for their fellow compatriots. Today, their resolve and courage has been multiplied in the ranks of the pioneering women in the PMOI who lead the Resistance movement.

Iran: Female Kurd prisoner may lose kidney

Safiyeh Sadeghi,

Rouhani has bragged about forcing women to wear veil #No2Rouhani #StopExecutionsIran

SafiyehSadeghi, a female Kurdish prisoner currently detained in Sanandaj Prison, western Iran,

is suffering from a number of illnesses and yet the authorities are not permitting her transfer to a hospital.

Sadeghi has been detained in Sanandaj prison for five years now. This female prisoner is suffering from kidney and heart illnesses but the officials have not permitted her to receive treatment in a hospital outside the prison to this day.

“Many times she has requested from prison officials to be sent to a medical center outside of prison, yet to this day they have not permitted such a transfer,” one of her cellmates said.

“If she is not permitted to be hospitalized she may lose both of her kidneys and her health will soon be going to be in danger,” the prison clinic physician

Iran - Rouhani's record includes over2000 executions,poverty&unemployment ofD ppl of #Iran

63 women executed in Iran under Rouhani

63 women executedin Iran under Rouhani

According to the data collected on the executions carried out during Rouhani's tenure,

the Iranian regime has executed a total of 2166 persons from August 2013 to January 15, 2016. Sixty-three of the victims have been women.

Iran - Athena courageous defense Farghadani #زن #جوان #آزادی -loving #ایرانی

Atena Faraghdani

"What you read it propaganda, I am appease the men and women whose children were ravaged in 1388 because of the fertile soil for years Nlrzydn roots that can not be ... !!

You know what it is acting against national security and conspiring with Tryqtsh was misguided sect, I support the men and women know that the smallest university is right that the mass of his faith, taken from them no ..! Hominids your own age to allow them to question the dignity of man and unclean Bkhvanndshan and shrines and their houses to smash .. !!!

What you read it as an insult to Parliament through drawing skills, I know the art of our nation home to what our people deserve not to have done well .. !!

And what you call it an insult to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and three branches during interrogation, read, I know it's tough response in response to the pride of the army has seized you what strength security and called for trapping the mutineers like me! ! That if indeed such a power and security "Revolutionary Guardsmen you" there, because of the power and security to trap rogue killer "" I despise and stars "have not been used to date ... . !!

"" Dear Friends "," My defense is not courage or stupidity, hatred Sdaqtyst only in the "last look called" ... the blood of the meeting, only hatred Sdaqtyst the vehicle under the wheels of government in Ashura 88, with fear as well as otherwise the blood cried ...!

Yes, it is a lump in the throat Sdaqtyst 36 years and we rumination by saying "do not be silent because of what people pay and the price very expensive" We calm conscience ... Do you really expect to have only their conscience, and hope wearing no one but themselves, can not cry to all of us, to the side of the bridge to a better tomorrow "we bend ...?!

Come to really rely on themselves talking tree that tomorrow, no one would be accountable for our actions but his conscience gets in front of all of conscience, remain silent, which, in turn, Jrmyst huge and unforgivable that one day the fire house tab will take us to heaven. "

Iran: Coffee shops sealed for employing women

Iran: Coffee shops sealed for employing women

The owner of a Tehran coffee shop posted in his Facebook, the image of a letter explaining the reason for closure of his shop. The letter cites “employment ofwomen” as the reason for sealing the coffee shop.

In late November, it was reported that 26 coffee shops had been closed down in the Iranian capital.

Prior to this on August 30, 2014, Khalil Helali, chief of Public Places Police pointed out that employment of women in coffee shops were forbidden.

“As a general rule it is forbidden to employ women for working in the coffee shops,” he noted. “A woman who applies for coffee shop license must have men as caretaker of the facility because based on the law, women are not allowed to go to coffee shops or work there even if they own the shop’s license.”

Iran: High unemployment among educated women

Iran: High unemployment among educated women

Unemployment rate among educated women of Iran has doubled and they are widely disappointed.

Presidential deputy Shahindokht Molaverdi depicted a grim picture of the situation of women in Iran in the final day of the meetings of “regional popular organizations – RPOs” in the northern city of Gorgan on January 4.

Molaverdi acknowledged that educated women are widely disappointed and that the unemployment rate for educated women has doubled.

Expressing frustration over Iran’s gender gap ranking --141st among 145 countries—she revealed that there has been a regression with regards to women who have not been able to continue their education.

She also admitted that the number of female heads of household in Iran is on the rise, presently standing at 2.5 million.

Iran: 65.5% of educated women unemployed

Iran: 65.5% of educated women unemployed

The state-run Aftab News website wrote on women’s employment and education conditions in Iran:

Statistics indicate that unemployment among educated women has reached 65.5%. Experts say unemployment among women and educated women shows two fundamental issues.

First, women’s enthusiasm to take part in economic activities and participate in the job market have tremendously increased over the past two decades to the point where the number of women currently admitted to universities and receiving education is greater than men; this reminds us of the duty of the government and policy makers to provide suitable conditions and adequate grounds for women’s economic participation and employment as many women have abandoned the traditional viewpoint of remaining at home.

There are 5,305,000 educated women, 1,282,000 of whom are employed and 546,000 are seeking employment.

The general unemployment rates among] college educated men and women in Iran is currently 18.5%. Unemployment rate for men is 13%, while it is 65.5% among educated women. In the meantime, the number of educated women seeking jobs is currently higher than men who do the same.

54.3% of the total number of college graduates are men, of which 61.6% are economically active (87% employed and 13% unemployed), and 38.4% are considered inactive.

46.6% of college graduates are women, of whom 34.5% are economically active (70.1% employed and 29.9% unemployed), and 65.5% are considered economically inactive.

Iran: Women suffer from numerous economic problems

Iran: Women suffer from numerous economic problems

Women economic problems

Women and girls in our society,especially university graduates, suffer doubly from problems in economic and employment arena,” asserted an Iranian cultural activist.

Mohammad Rasoul Mehnatfar talked to an ILNA reporter in Kermanshah (western Iran) about problems of women. He noted, “Compared to men, women enjoy far less social and political privileges in the cities of Gilan Gharb, Sarpol Zahab and Qasr-e Shirin and are deprived of many of their inalienable rights.”

Mehnatfar added, “Women’s capabilities and powers are completely forgotten in economic activities.”

(State-run ILNA news agency, December 28, 2015)

IRAN - Forozan Abdipour, member of Iran national volleyball team

Forozan Abdipour, member of Iran national volleyball team

to all volleyball fans: In memory of Forozan Abdipour, member of national volleyball  team who was executed in 1988 by the Iranian regime

Ms. Abdi was born in Tehran in 1957. She was the captain of the National Volleyball team and a sympathizer of the PMOI. According to her cellmate, Ms. Abdi was very popular among other inmates.

Her cellmates remember her for her open-mindedness and tolerant attitude towards other political prisoners. In one instance, her cellmate recalls, when a repenting prisoner who was in charge of the cell ordered another prisoner to separate her dishes from the others (because prison authorities treated prisoners who did not believe in God as “unclean”), Ms. Abdi had intervened and stressed that “no one considers the prisoner as ‘unclean’ and whoever does, should separate her own dishes from others”. Ms. Abdi had also kept her athletic spirits during her years of imprisonment and organized volleyball games during the short period when female prisoners had access to a volleyball court at Qezelhesar prison.

Arrest and detention

She was arrested in 1981.

One of her cellmates saying: "I saw her in section 8 of Qezelhesar in 1982. It was a section for special punishment and sometimes there were 25 to 30 people in a cell [that was meant to fit 3]... They placed Foruzan and some others in a restroom in early 1983. The place was so dirty that all of them contracted skin diseases. Then, they were transferred to solitary confinement at both Gohardasht and Qezelhesar prisons where they stayed until early 1986."

Ms. Abdi was protesting against the inhuman rules and behaviour of prison guards. As a result, for almost a year and half (fall 1983 - winter 1984), she was held in solitary confinement and was deprived from recreation time outside, from having contacts with others, reading newspapers, and having regular visits from her family.

Sometime in 1986, Ms. Abdi was transferred from Gohardasht to Evin prison where she was detained until her execution. During this period, she also spent most of her imprisonment in the closed section of the ward that prison authorities used for punishing prisoners. Those held in this section were held in closed cells and were allowed to leave their cells 3 times a day (for 30 minutes), during which time they could use the bathroom, wash their dishes and their clothes.

Forozan Abdipour was executed along with 30 000 other prisoners, mostly PMOI, when the Iranian regime carried out the massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988.

Today, women are fighting to enter volleyball stadiums to watch games. Forozan Abdipour, member of national volleyball volleyball team was executed in 1988 by the Iranian regime for wanted all women to live in freedom and democracy.