United for Iran Highlights Violations of Right to Education in Iran at 20th Session of Human Rights Council

United for Iran Highlights Violations of Right to Education in Iran at 20th Session of Human Rights Council

Jun 29, 2012

I am speaking on behalf of the Democracy Coalition Project in coordination with United for Iran. My name is Puyan Mahmudian. I was jailed in Iran in May 2007 for serving as an editor for a pro-democracy student publication. The government forged false documents to arrest me and other student activists. I spent three months in solitary confinement and endured torture by my interrogators. I was barred from graduate education despite being ranked 6th out of more than one thousand candidates in the national entrance…

17 NGOs Call on Iran to Uphold the Right to Education

17 NGOs Call on Iran to Uphold the Right to Education

Jun 14, 2012

The above signatories representing 17 human rights and student organizations express deep concern about the alarming state of academic freedom in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in particular violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly on campuses; and institutionalized procedures that allow authorities arbitrarily to expel and suspend students…

Anniversary Video of the Raid on the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education

Anniversary Video of the Raid on the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education

May 24, 2012

Since the 1979 revolution, when the Islamic Republic of Iran came to power, members of the Baha’i Faith, that country’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, have faced relentless state-mandated persecution. In its continuous attempt to destroy the Baha’i community the government has, for nearly thirty years, denied Baha’is the right to attend any of Iran’s universities.

Worldwide Action Calls for Immediate Release of Bahá’í Leaders and Other Iranian Prisoners of Conscience

Worldwide Action Calls for Immediate Release of Bahá’í Leaders and Other Iranian Prisoners of Conscience

Apr 16, 2012

In 12 cities around the world on Sunday, April 8, 2012, 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.شنبه ی گذشته هواداران هفت رهبر بهایی زندانی در 12 شهر دنیا در برنامه ای که توسط اتحاد برای ایران و جامعه بین المللی بهاییان سازمان دهی شده بود شرکت کردند. راهپیمایی، حمل پلاکارد، دوچرخه سواری و نمایش بیلبوردهای سیار از جمله کنش ها در این برنامه ها بود. این روز (روز اجرای برنامه ها)، در مجموع 10000 امین روزی است که رهبران بهایی در ایران در زندان به سر برده اند. این هفت تن تنها به خاطر عقاید و باورهایشان زندانی شده اند.

Join the Mad Graffiti Campaign for Human Rights in Iran!

Join the Mad Graffiti Campaign for Human Rights in Iran!

Mar 28, 2012

An estimated 500 political prisoners remain behind bars in Iran for their dissent against the policies of the Iranian government. Hundreds more have been persecuted through politically motivated trials. They include human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, opposition activists, community leaders, and ordinary Iranian citizens. In an effort to highlight these and other…

Press Release: Worldwide Action for Iran’s Baha’i Seven

Press Release: Worldwide Action for Iran’s Baha’i Seven

Mar 28, 2012

Berkeley, Calif. – Sunday April 1, will mark 10,000 total days that seven leaders of the Baha’i religion have spent behind bars in Iran. On this day, 12 cities across the globe will raise awareness with mobile billboards featuring a call to “Free Baha’i Leaders: Prisoners of Conscience in Iran.” Former imprisoned activist and hiker Sarah Shourd, who is now the Political Prisoner Advocate…

UN Special Rapporteur calls for the Iranian government to make dramatic changes in its laws and practices

UN Special Rapporteur calls for the Iranian government to make dramatic changes in its laws and practices

Mar 12, 2012

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 prisoners and prisoners of conscience.