Dabashi's "little torture"

by Julie Jigsawnovich

Hamid Dabashi's: "What's a little torture in Kahrizak and Evin...?" on CNN sounds more like PressTV.

Hamid Dabashi's states, "What's a little torture in Kahrizak and Evin over the last year compared to what the United States has done in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and Bagram Airbase in the course of its "war on terror" over the last decade?"  http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/06/11/dabashi.iran.green.movement/index.html?hpt=C2 

Wait a minute. This sounds more like Iran's State-run Press TV than CNN. And why is Dabashi comparing events during a one year period to cumulative events occurring during a decade as if they were of equal value? This is just plain illogical. 

Dabashi's statement makes it sound as though torture in Iranian prisons only occurred over the last year, when in fact torture has increased over the last year.  Torture has been practiced in the Islamic Repulic of Iran for decades. 

Amnesty International recently released a report which includes details of torture

http://thereport.amnesty.org/sites/default/files/AIR2010_EN_0.pdf

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran www.ihri.org is also a great resource of information regarding specific cases of torture.

The torture and the travesties of justice are becoming so extreme in Iran that even members of the staunch Revolutionary Guards are defecting. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2010/jun/11/iran-revolutionary-guard-defectors

I welcome investigations into torture anywhere committed by anyone, because torture is ethically indefensible--and I don't believe torture keeps us safe. The bottom line is that human rights should be respected everywhere, by everyone. 

7min Trial with "Zero" Evidence Results in Execution in Iran

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reports:
Iran: Political Executions Indication of Government’s Insecurity

Speakers for Protest Against Ahmadinejad at UN

There are many reasons to protest against Ahmadinejad. Above is a sign I created and encourage all to print out and bring. It has not received an endorsement from WIMV-NY, but it adheres to their non-divisive guidelines.

Following is a press release from http://whereismyvoteny.org/

*UPDATED RALLY INFORMATION *

For those who would like to be there when Ahmadinejad is scheduled to
arrive at the United Nations, you will need to gather as early as
8:00-8:30AM to meet his motorcade.

The WIMV-NY program and rally will begin at 10:00 AM, when the United
Nations session is convened and during Ahmadinejad’s scheduled
address.

*The program information is as follows:*

*WHEN: *Monday, May 03, 2010 at 10:00 AM* *

*WHERE: *47th Street and 1st Avenue (Dag Hammarskjold Plaza)

*FEATURING*:

*Reza Aslan*, Best-selling Author, Scholar and
Commentator on the Middle East

"*Hadi Ghaemi*, Director of International Campaign for Human Rights in
Iran

"*Shirin Neshat*, Prominent Iranian Artist, Filmmaker, and Colleague of
Imprisoned Filmmaker Jafar Panahi

"*Faraz Sanei*, Researcher with the Middle East and North Africa
division of Human Rights Watch

"*Ali Akbar Mousavi-Khoeni*, Former Iranian Member of Parliament and
Political Prisoner

"We ask that you please refrain from bringing any national flags. We
all love our countries and their symbols but at this action we strive
for a united event with a message that doesn’t appear factional."

END THE EXECUTIONS

Click through for widescreen.

New video from International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

Karoubi's Bodyguard Seriously Injured During Protest

http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2009/11/4novprotests/

"(4 November 2009) Security forces and militia used brutal force to disperse thousands of protesters on the streets of Tehran and other cities today, resulting in a number of injuries and arrests, in violation of international standards regarding the proportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrations, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. The protests occurred parallel to officially sanctioned demonstrations on the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the United States Embassy in 1979.

"Protests also took place in other cities, including Shiraz, Rasht, and Tabriz. Many protesters were reportedly arrested in Tabriz after security forces attacked demonstrators using pepper spray and tear gas.

"Eyewitnesses have told the Campaign that, despite an intense intimidation program aimed at stifling the demonstrations by SMS threats promising prosecutions for taking part, and the closure of metro stops to discourage gatherings, thousands of protesters appeared at Hafte-e-Tir Square, Kargar Shomali, and other locations, and were met by vast numbers of riot police backed up by quasi-official militiamen. The presence of huge numbers of security and anti-riot forces and brutal attacks were common in all reports by eyewitnesses.

"Numerous demonstrators were arrested, including Ali Mashmouli, Vahideh Movahed and other prominent persons. According to a report by his son, security forces shot tear gas canisters directly at opposition politician Mehdi Karoubi, seriously injuring his bodyguard who was taken to a hospital. According to reports received by the Campaign, live ammunition was used in shots fired over the heads of demonstrators.

"The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed its deep concern about the continuing and excessive use of violence against peaceful demonstrators, and called for the immediate release of detainees."

Worldwide Rallies for Iranian democracy, freedom and human rights

Come to a rally on Saturday July 25, in one of more than 50 cities around the world. If you don't see your city, you can contact the organizers and ask how you can get involved.
http://united4iran.org/

List of Iranians Known to be Killed or Detained Since the Election

http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2009/06/list/

DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN! Rally in NYC

                                                                        photo: Julie Jigsawnovich

by Julie Jigsawnovich

This rally was co-hosted by Amnesty International USA, Human Rights First, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, and The Green Wave.

The Green Wave met at Union Square, and marched 45 blocks uptown to the rally at Columbus Circle through an intense thundershower. Better rainwater, than a rain of bullets! Chanting, "Down with the Dictators!" in the relative safety of New York--with encouragement from tourists, Afghan cooks and Seek cab drivers--was in stark contrast to terrifying violence inflicted upon voters demonstrating in Iran.

But in the back of my mind I knew that, in this age of lethal "non-lethal weapons" and proposed legislation which could further limit the rights of citizens to legally assemble, the voter demonstrations in Iran--and international rallies supporting them--are sure to be closely watched by companies and individuals who would profit from expanded "crowd control."