Iran, February 2009
Who could have imagined that the human rights situation in Iran could further worsen? Last December, the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and internationally recognised for its expertise on human rights issues, was arbitrarily closed down by the authorities. Iranian authorities went even further by arresting Jinus Sobhani, a DHRC staff member, who remains in incommunicado detention since January 14.
The harsh and unabated repression by the Iranian authorities, which, over the past years, has already struck the women's rights movement with the prosecution and detention of dozens of activists involved in the One Million Signatures Campaign, but also minority rights defenders and trade-unionists, is now hitting one of the last independent NGOs operating in the country.
In the face of this severe crackdown, a worldwide mobilisation is more necessary than ever.. You will find below a compilation of the latest urgent interventions issued by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint FIDH – OMCT programme), as well as the direct contacts of high level Iranian representatives.
We count on your support to convey your concerns to the relevant authorities and express your solidarity with those who defend the human rights cause in Iran.
