United for Iran Condemns Religious Ruling to Kill Iranian Rapper
Calls On Iranian Authorities to Hold Clerics Accountable for Incitement to Murder
Thursday, May 17, 2012 Washington, DC – United for Iran condemns the issuing of a death ruling for rapper Shahin Najafi by grand ayatollahs Safi Golpaygani and Naser Makarem Shirazi in response to Najafi’s song “Naghi” – the name of Shi’ite Islam’s 10th imam. United for Iran calls on the Iranian government to condemn the cleric-issued fatwa, reform its penal code to remove the death penalty for those labeled “apostates,” and to institute provisions that outlaw incitement to murder, including in fatwas issued by clerics.
Iranians Demand P5+1 Focus on Human Rights
On Saturday, April 14, 2012, talks between Iran and the P5+1 resumed in Istanbul, Turkey behind closed doors. The Iranian people have been excluded from the debate on the international negotiations with their country through brutal repression by their government. Iranians gathered in Istanbul on the occasion of the P5+1 meeting to give voice to millions in Iran who have been imprisoned and silenced. Here is what they had to say to the world.
Worldwide Action Calls for Immediate Release of Bahá’í Leaders and Other Iranian Prisoners of Conscience
In 12 cities around the world last Sunday, supporters of seven imprisoned Bahá’í leaders marched, held signs, rode bikes, and organized mobile billboard tours in an initiative coordinated by United for Iran and the international Bahá’í community. The day of action marked a combined total of 10,000 days the seven have spent in prison solely due to adherence to their faith.
Action to Demand Release of Seven Baha’i Leaders Unjustly Imprisoned
Seven leaders of the Baha’i community have to date spent 10,000 total days behind bars in Iran solely on the basis of their faith. United4Iran joins the Baha’i International Community in raising awareness about their unjust imprisonment and urging their immediate release. We are urging you now to continue to ask for their unconditional release. An online letter can be found and customized here.
UN Human Rights Council and Secretary-General Call on Iran to Allow Special Rapporteur to Visit the Country
March 22, 2012 – The United Nations Human Rights Council and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon increased pressure this week on Iran’s government to begin meaningful cooperation with the appointed UN expert assigned to help improve the human rights situation in the country. United for Iran applauds the overwhelming decision today by the 19th Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to renew the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran by a vote of 22 in favor, 5 against, and 20 abstentions. Click here to see the vote breakdown. The 47-member rights body passed the resolution to extend the mandate for one-year and urged Iran to cooperate with it. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, in a report released this week, also called on Iran to fully cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, by allowing him to visit the country.
United4Iran Highlights Violations in Iran at the 19th UN Human Rights Council
On March 12, 2012, at the 31st meeting of the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ms. Dokhi Fassihian, Senior Advisor to United for Iran, spoke at the Council after Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, presented his first report to the body.
United4Iran Joins 20 NGOs around the World Calling for the Extension of Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur
To the member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council:
As you know, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran is currently up for renewal and will be put to a vote before the Human Rights Council on March 21st or 22nd. At a time when the human rights situation in Iran has deteriorated significantly and Iran continues to refuse to cooperate with UN bodies, it is critical for member states to voice their support for the mandate’s renewal.
We write to urge you to vote in favor of the resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
UN Special Rapporteur on Iran Presents First Report at UN Human Rights Council
UN member states including Iran’s allies call on government to cooperate with Shaheed On March 12-13, 2012, UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Ahmed Shaheed presented his report on the situation of human rights in Iran at the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Special Rapporteur’s 36-page report requests the immediate release of all political [...]
UN Special Rapporteur calls for the Iranian government to make dramatic changes in its laws and practices
فارسی In his first full report to the Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed calls upon the Iranian government to comply with its international human rights obligations by bringing its laws into conformity with international human rights standards. In a 36-page report Shaheed repeats his request for the immediate release of all political [...]
Iran prepares for staged elections with crackdown on dissent
Opposition boycotts poll and calls for free and fair elections فارسی United for Iran is deeply concerned about the escalating crackdown by the Iranian government on expression and assembly ahead of the March 2 parliamentary elections. Since the start of 2012, more than 100 Iranian citizens have been detained for non-violent political activism surrounding the [...]
