General News

Over 500 Women's Rights and Civil Society Activists Object to the Closure of the Defenders of Human Rights Center

Change for Equality: On December 21, 2008 the Defenders of Human Rights Center was shut down by security and police officials, despite the fact that no court order was issued allowing for this action. This Center began operation in 2000 and submitted an application for registration to the Commission on the 10th Amendment of the Regulations for Operation of Political Parties. While the Commission agreed with the establishment of this Center, the Ministry of Interior has under different pretexts refused to issue a permit for operation of this non-governmental Human Rights Organization. The Defenders of Human Rights Center has however been registered as an international entity and is an official member of the International Federation of Human Rights Organizations (FIDH), which includes members from 190 countries.

Ms. Ebadi, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, serves as the Chair of the Defenders of Human Rights Center. Ms. Ebadi utilized a portion of the monetary prize she received for the Nobel Peace Prize to purchase the office space for the Center. According to its mandate the Center works to provide free legal advice to those accused of political crimes and imprisoned for their beliefs; provides support to the families of imprisoned political prisoners; and develops and submits regular national and international reports on human rights violations in Iran.

On Sunday December 21, 2008 the Center had planned to hold an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of UN Declaration on Human Rights. This event was cancelled following the storming of the offices of the Center by police and security officials who shut down the Center without a court order.

An examination of the activities of this Center and its role in supporting and defending human rights and women's rights activists in Iran, demonstrates the important role of this non-governmental organization. The silence of equal rights and human rights defenders in reaction to the illegal actions against the Center will only work to promote and reinforce such unjust crackdowns.

We the signatories of this statement demand that officials facilitate the re-opening of the Center allowing it to continue with its activities designed to promote human rights. Further we warn that the closure of the Center will not silence the demand for justice. The voice of people will indeed remain thunderous and more forceful than that of States.

*While the Defenders of Human Rights Center is a non-governmental organization, the subject of human rights is viewed as political, therefore according to regulations organizations addressing political and human rights issues must register with the Commission, in charge of political parties.

The Defenders of Human Rights Center Raided and Closed

Change for Equality: On Sunday December 21, 2008 plain clothes and uniformed police and security officials raided the offices of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), a human rights Organization headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, preventing a delayed celebration of the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights by the Center and sealing their offices. According to reports from those present at the scene security officials not only sealed the offices but also mistreated the members of the Center, including a physical confrontation with Mr. Ismaiel Zadeh and a violent verbal confrontation with Ms. Nargess Mohamadi both members of the Center. Ms. Ebadi was also present during this raid.

In relation to these developments, Ms. Jinous Sobhani, a member of the Women and Children's Committee of the Center explained in an interview with Change for Equality that: "a celebration in honor of the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights was scheduled for 4:30 pm on the 21st of December in the office of the Center. Several of the members of the Center had arrived at the offices at 3:00pm to prepare for the celebration. Ms. Mohammadi entered the offices and informed us that a large number of uniformed and plain clothes security officers were congregated outside the building of the Center. After a few minutes the security officials entered the building and tried to enter our offices. Ms. Mohammadi asked to see a court order allowing them to enter and search the premises. The Security officials did not have a court order as such we closed the door and refused them permission for entry. After a few minutes the security officials approached us again giving us the number of the court order. But since the court order was not presented to us in writing and since Ms. Ebadi was not on the premises at that time, we refused to open the doors once again."

Sobhani also informed the site of Change for Equality that: "there were a large number of police vehicles in the area surrounding our office as well as uniformed and plain clothes security officials, who dispersed guests intent on participating in the Center's ceremony. In the encounters with security officials Ms. Mohammadi was insulted by the officers and the premises and surrounding areas were video taped by security officials. Mr. Ismail Zadeh a member of the Defenders of Human Rights Center was physically beaten and his mobile phone was also confiscated."

"In the end, after Ms. Ebadi arrived on the scene, and the security officials claiming that they intended to employ a peaceful approach entered our offices. After an hour's time, and while video taping the premises, the security officials forced the members of the Center out of the offices and sealed our doors."

The reaction of the international community and press as well as Iranian human rights organizations to this development has been swift condemnation. Read related news and some of the statements issued in this respect:

http://www.iranhumanrights.org/themes/news/single-news/article/reverse-closure-of-nobel-laureates-rights-group.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/21/AR2008122100676.html?hpid=moreheadlines

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hG0LBG4JQD8MueFPUBxNQl87C9NAD95794OG0

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=79260§ionid=351020101

http://news-en.trend.az/world/wnews/1378753.html

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20081223story_23-12-2008_pg20_5

http://www.topnews.in/closure-iranian-human-rights-office-troubling-2100614

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=68248

http://www.nobelwomensinitiative.org/news-middle-east/26/303-nobel-laureates-condemn-harassment-of-human-rights-defenders-in-iran

Additional Information

Country: Iran
Website: http://www.4equality.info/english/spip.php?article424
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: N/A
When: 09/2/2009

Last modified: Friday, 07 February 2014 15:02:57 Valid XHTML 1.1