Human Rights Watch Calls for End to Repression in Iran and Release of Recent Detainees
Human Rights Watch says a new wave of arrests in Iran following a “deadlock” in reviving the JCPOA agreement is aimed at preventing public anger over widespread government failures.
The human rights organization issued its statement after the arrest of Mohammad Rasoulof, Mostafa Aleahmad, and Jafar Panahi, known figures in Iranian cinema, as well as Mostafa Tajzadeh, a reformist political activist, and members of families of victims of repression and violence in Iran.
The arrest of these individuals, particularly Iranian filmmakers, has faced widespread international backlash, with three European film and arts festivals strongly condemning the Islamic Republic’s action.
Human Rights Watch described the recent arrest of “prominent critics” as “part of a new wave of suppression of peaceful dissent” that “coincides with worsening economic conditions and an apparent deadlock in the international community’s efforts to revive the nuclear agreement with Iran, targeting peaceful opposition.”
The organization has called on Islamic Republic officials to “end suppression against opposition” and release individuals detained for peaceful activism and criticism of the government.
Tara Sepehri Far, senior Iran researcher at Human Rights Watch, said: “The Iranian government, either unable or unwilling to address several very serious challenges Iran faces, has resorted to repressive behavior in arresting popular critics.”
According to her, “There is no reason to think that recent arrests are anything other than a move aimed at deterring public anger over widespread government failures.”
Islamic Republic security officials have previously arrested and tried over 12 civil and labor activists, including Narges Mohammadi, Saeed Madani, Keyvan Samimi, Mohammad Habibi, and Reza Shahabi, and returned them to prison.
In the last week of June, several journalists and activists including Vida Rabani, Ahmadrezahayeri, Amirsalar Davoudi, and Masoud Bastani were arrested, convicted, or summoned.
As Western parties have stated, Islamic Republic officials have brought negotiations to revive the JCPOA agreement to a deadlock by raising demands beyond the original accord.
They blame the West and America for this deadlock, but following this failure, they have intensified pressure on critics domestically and with warmer weather, have also increased the number of moral police patrols.
These measures, alongside the difficult economic situation facing people in recent weeks, have created a wave of discontent among Iranian citizens and sparked harsh criticism from social media users.
