May 2010

Iranian opposition officially requests demonstration permit

Iranian opposition leaders, MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi made an official application to the Ministry of Interior for a peaceful demonstration on June 12.

More Iranian newspapers shut down

Iran’s Press Supervisory Board banned the sport magazine, GOAL, for publishing pictures and content “contrary to public morality,” and it also issued warnings for over 14 other publications.

Mousavi: They only want people for ceremonies

In a meeting with Iranian reformists, opposition leader, MirHosein Mousavi criticized Islamic Republic for its fear of “plurality and people’s involvement in their fate.”

Rahnavard urges release of Iranian political prisoners

Iranian opposition leader, Zahra Rahnavard urged the Islamic Republic to release all political prisoners on the occasion of the birthday of Fatemeh, the daughter of Prophet Mohammad.

Iran's Seminary Teachers list solutions to crisis

The Society of Qom Seminary Teachers and Researchers list a number of solutions for leading the Islamic Republic out if its “crisis” with election protesters.

Detained Iranian writer decries treatment of prisoners at Evin Prison

Detained Iranian filmmaker and journalist described Evin Prison as the “Second Kahrizak” in a letter to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Turkey condemns Western dismissal of Tehran nuclear agreement

Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Western attitude toward the Iranian nuclear-swap deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey.

Iranian students suspended for ignoring Islamic dress code

A number of students have been suspended from university for “one or two terms” for failing to adhere to strict Islamic dress codes; an Allameh Tabatabai University official announced.

NPT conference calls for Mideast nuclear disarmament

The Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty 189 member nations adopted a new plan to achieve nuclear disarmament which includes a move toward banning all nuclear weapons in the Middle East.

Iranian opposition leader: Awareness government's Achilles heel

Iranian opposition leader says that awareness is the “Achilles heel” of the Islamic Republic establishment and therefore, they “cannot even stand one single weblog free at work.”

Grave concern for detained Iranian journalists

Reporters Without Borders express grave concern over the well-being of detained Iranian journalists and report an increase in “violent treatment of Iranian prisoners in recent months.”

Family of detained Iranian student appeal to Ban Ki-moon

Family of detained Iranian student activist, Majid Tavakoli urged the United Nations Secretary-General in a letter, to speed up the visit of the UN Special Rapporteurs to probe into the situation of political prisoners in Iran.

Ten million Iranians under "absolute poverty line"

Iran’s Department of Statistics announced that 10 million Iranians live under the “Absolute Poverty Line” and 30 million live under the “Relative Poverty Line.”

Suspended Iranian students rallied to defend rights

Iran’s Council of Defence of the Right to Education issued a statement to urge all students that have been suspended from university to contact the Council with their information for further action.

Prosecution of Iranian student activists continues

Iranian judiciary continues its prosecution of student activists with arrests, imprisonment and fines.

Detained activists on hunger strike collapse in Iranian prison

Kouhyar Goudarzi and Majid Tavakoli, two Iranian political prisoners were transferred to the hospital days after they started a hunger strike.

Amnesty reports rise in human rights abuses in Iran

Amnesty International reported an increase in “human rights abuses and repression” in Iran last year.

Mousavi accuses Islamic Republic government of incompetence

MirHosein Mousavi, Iranian opposition leader announced that the Islamic Republic politics and economy is riddled with “organized corruption” which in turn is supported by “superstition.”

Karroubi slams government violence against people's peaceful movement

Iranian opposition leader, Mehdi Karroubi once more condemned government violence against election protesters saying even the late MohammadReza Pahlavi, the last Iranian Monarch, did not treat the people with such aggression.

Detained student activist goes on hunger strike

Majid Tavakoli, detained Iranian student activist has been reportedly transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison and has started a hunger strike since three days ago.