New report by "Javed Rahman": Repression of minorities, workers, and opponents of compulsory hijab in Iran
Javed Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, published his latest report on the human rights situation in the country, expressing concern about the situation of minorities in Iran, the repression of workers and opponents of the compulsory hijab.
In the report, published on Wednesday, November 2, Javed Rahman said: "Religious and ethnic minorities in Iran face serious challenges in enjoying their rights."
He added: "Religious and ethnic minorities face a disproportionate number of executions on charges related to national security."
The report says: Religious and ethnic minorities are subject to arbitrary arrests and detentions for peacefully exercising their rights or the right to use their language.
The detention of Iranian-American citizens or non-Iranian citizens is another concern raised in the report. The report says that foreigners or dual nationals who are arrested are denied access to lawyers, face vague and criminal charges, and are denied access to medical services.
The report says that between September 2018 and July 2019, eight lawyers in Iran were arrested for providing legal services to political prisoners and human rights activists. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights also noted the 38-year prison sentence and 148 lashes handed down to lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.
The crackdown on activists opposing compulsory hijab is also mentioned in Javed Rahman's report. According to the report, at least 32 people have been arrested in this regard since January 2018 and have faced prison sentences of up to 33 years.
Javed Rahman also mentioned the repression of workers in this report, saying that seven people were arrested during the Haft Tappeh workers' protest and sentenced to sentences ranging from six to 19 years.
Source: Voice of America
