Human Rights Organization Criticizes Systematic Prevention of Gatherings in Iran
The human rights organization “Article 19” criticized the “mandatory” requirement for obtaining permits to hold peaceful gatherings in Iran, as well as the suppression of gatherings that authorities label as “illegal”.
Article 19’s report was released on Tuesday, March 27th, under the title “Deception, Denial and Delay: Iran Government Policies to Keep People in the Dark”.
The report states that the Islamic Republic “has in practice not provided a pathway for individuals to request and obtain permits” and “systematically refuses to grant permits for gatherings that are not aligned with the government’s policies and ideology”.
The organization also stated that Iranian government officials, by refraining from “publishing information about gatherings and protests, keep Iranians in the dark and illegally and arbitrarily claim that such information is classified”.
According to Selva Ghazouani, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Section of Article 19, “the escalating level of state violence against protesters leaves no doubt about the intolerance and lack of forbearance of Iranian authorities toward protests that challenge them”.
Selva Ghazouani added that among these acts of violence is “the unlawful use of force by the government against those who take to the streets to protest”.
She continued: “Human rights violations do not end merely with Iranian authorities’ refusal to grant permits for gatherings. Rather, these violations continue with gross violations of the right to life and freedom from torture against those who dare to take to the streets to protest, to the deprivation of victims’ and society’s right to truth”.
Article 19 is calling on Iranian authorities to “once and for all, through a comprehensive and fundamental review of the country’s legal framework and bringing it in line with international law, put an end to these human rights violations”.
In recent years, concurrent with increased economic pressure on Iranians, various occupational groups have repeatedly taken to the streets to demand their rights.
The authorities’ approach to these gatherings has been indifference to demands, attributing protesters to connections with supposed “enemies,” and detaining and using violent force against protesters.
In Iran’s Constitution, not only is the right to hold gatherings subject to vague conditions, but other laws impose even greater restrictions on this right.
The law on the activities of political parties and groups requires obtaining a permit for gatherings, but only permits registered political parties to apply for permits.
Source: Radio Farda
