Iran Feature: "Persistent Punishment" --- Assessing the UN Report on Human Rights (Arseh Sevom)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 9:46
Scott Lucas in Arseh Sevom, EA Iran, Middle East and Iran

Iran Document: 1st Report of The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights


A Montage of Political Prisoners in IranOn Monday, EA posted the first report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights about the Iranian situation. Arseh Sevom, an NGO promoting civil society in Iran, assesses the findings:

The UN Special Rapporteur has released an initial report on the human rights situation in Iran. The report highlights several disturbing trends, which serve to cripple civil society activism. These include:

The report shows a concerted effort to prevent dissent and the development of an independent civil society by severely punishing those who speak out or act in a way deemed inappropriate or threatening by the state. In many cases, punishment is exacted for activities that were once sanctioned. The report demonstrates a clear trend towards increased state violence and disregard for its own legal system and constitution.

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