Family of slain Kahrizak doctor demands arrest of their son’s murderers

Top row, left to right: Radaan, Mortazavi, Ahmadi Moghaddam. Bottom: Ramin Pourandarjani

According to Rooz website, Ramin Poorandarjani’s family gathered behind the closed door trial of those charged in relation with Kahrizak’s scandal, and demanded that those responsible for their son’s death be identified and tried.

HRANA - Dr. Ramin Pourandarjani was on duty in Kahrizak¹ detention centre during the summer of 2009, and had examined the individuals who lost their lives in that prison camp only two days prior to their deaths.

Dr. Pourandarjani was killed under very suspicious circumstances after being arrested. His family has requested that those responsible for his murder be brought to trial.

Based on Rooz’s report, the main suspects of Kahrizak’s tragedy continue to hold their executive, military, and judicial offices.

Armed Forces’ Public Relation Office issued a fax stating that “indictment for all the 12 accused in this case was read, and the charges and reasons behind them were conveyed to all the accused”.

Previously, Tabnak website which belongs to Mohsen Rezaei [one of June presidential election’s candidates] had announced that the main suspects in the case of Kahrizak are several senior Police Officers. According to the statement issued by the Armed Forces Judicial Organization, all the accused in the case are the same 12 people who were present in the court. Saeed Mortazavi [Tehran’s former chief prosecutor] which was named as the main suspect in this case by Parliament’s special committee is not amongst the defendants.

Commanders Ahmadi Moghaddam [Iran’s Chief of Police] and Radaan [Vice-chief of Iran’s Police] are other officials who are widely believed to be main suspects in this case. Some of those released from this dreadful detention centre state that Radan was personally present during the course of some of the torture sessions, and played a direct role in the tragic events that took place in this prison camp. However, both these commanders continue to serve Islamic Republic in their military posts, and there is no mention of their involvement in the case before the court.

Heydarifard, who directly ordered the transfer of many of the detainees to Kahrizak, is also not held accountable for the Kahrizad case. He continues to serve at his post as the examining magistrate of the Revolutionary Court’s 3rd Security branch.

There are great concerns that the Kahrizak case meets the same fate as that of University of Tehran’s Dormitory scandal, where in the wake of raid by the police and plain cloth officers on the University’s dormitory, [in which many students were severely injured, and at least one was killed] the only person found guilty was a soldier who was convicted of stealing an electrical razor.

¹ Translator’s Note: Kahrizak detention centre was a prison camp just outside Tehran which was used in the aftermath of June 2009 disputed election for holding some of the protesters. The horrific conditions in this prison camp, systematic torture and rape of some of the prisoners, and the resulting death of some of the prisoners led to a major scandal that forced the closure of the camp by Ayatollah Khamenei’s order.

Farzad Kamangar Writes a Letter from Evin Prison

The Angels Who Laugh on Monday

I was listening to my cellmate’s lullaby, he was singing for his daughters Parya and Zahra. His melancholic lullaby was followed by the sobs of another cellmate, and I burst into tears too. It was the second time that he was arrested. The first time, he was sentenced to one year in jail, and this time he has to serve another 10 years. All his joy and excitement was about seeing his children who would visit him on Monday.

On the day of the visit, the children, without caring that they were surrounded by people and before their parents’ eyes (and in the middle of the seats and chairs of the visit hall), jumped up and down and performed hand stands to show their father their progressing athletic abilities.

The father, who was proud of his children, wore a smile. The mother, with her innocent expression, was trying to deny her pain of solitude and expectation. She was looking at her husband with joy and at her children’s excitement with love.

And I, who had been away from the school environment for months, kept staring at Parya and Zahra, and would tell my mother about them. One of the most memorable moments which has been carved in my mind is the moment this family spent together.

They were as though in a vacuum, in the heavens, in a place outside this world, not surrounded by anyone. They only had their compassion for each other. Without paying attention to the guards, the walls, and other prisoners, they shared their smiles. I always hope to see Parya and Zahra outside prison, or wish that they were able to visit thirty minutes longer. As they said their farewell, I tried not to look at them, so that the spectacular moment of their reunion would be etched in my mind forever. The beautiful girls mocked the fake world around their father with every move and jump.

The fate of children like Zahra and Parya is the story of our time. It has been written for years now, and every day, another Zahra and Parya visit their father. Or a child like “Ava” would sit next to the Haft-Seen table (The table arrangement made by Iranians for Norooz), sing to her fish, and cry,“This year daddy is in jail!”

I saw Parya and Zahra about to depart, still holding on to their father’s hand. They walked toward the exit with a smile on their face as though they were going to the fair.

I wanted to hold their hands too and share their joy. Before the father said goodbye, I turned my face so I would not be able to see his tearful eyes. However, now, I was watching the tearful eyes of my mother who was getting ready to separate from her son. I mimicked Parya and Zahra in my embrace with my mother.

When Parya and Zahra were calling us, I couldn’t keep my eyes away anymore. The two angels waved at me. They are angels, except that they don’t have wings.

Farzad Kamangar
Evin Prison
March 10, 2010

Economic Report on Iran: Growth or Inflation?

Growth or Inflation?

1) High inflation rates are more worrisome for Iranians than a low economic growth rate

I submit that for our people (i.e. Iranians) high inflation rate is more important than a low economic growth. There is evidence to support this claim:

• People in their daily lives complain a great deal about inflation, but they rarely voice their grievance about a low economic rate of growth.

• The discussion over inflation was one of the central issues in the June presidential election. Candidates relied on the importance of inflation and its tangible effects on people’s lives to attack their opponents.

• In the current debate on subsidies reform, the most serious concern of the parliament is the inflationary effect of removing subsidies from energy costs.

• On the other hand, the rate of economic growth has never been subject to such attention and sensitivity. The rate of economic growth between March and September of 2008 was relatively low (2.3% based on indices published by the Central Bank). The overall rate of economic growth for the fiscal year of March 21, 2008- March 20, 2009, and the current year (March 21, 2009-March 20, 2010) has never been reported (although we are almost at the end of the latter fiscal year. Such delay in announcing the rate of growth has been unprecedented). However, none of these indicators and missing data has been raised as an issue in society.

2) Is economic growth rate really more important than inflation?

Perhaps putting the above question in this manner is misleading and meaningless. A better question would be “whether relative importance accorded to inflation in our society is more than what it should be?” The answer to this question is yes.

The reasons for this claim are discussed below:

• A few percentage points of difference in two countries’ rate of economic growth makes a significant difference in their income. For example, consider two countries “A” and “B” that have equal income in a certain year. If country “A” has an economic growth rate of 2%, “B” has 4%, after 20 years, the income of “B” will be 1.5 times that of country “A”.

If the rate of economic growth for “B” is 6%, its income will be twice that of “A” in 18 years. If the rate for “B” is 8%, its income will be twice that of “A” after only 12 years.
The following figure illustrates this point:

After brief consideration, it can be concluded that the real cost of inflation is not that clear. For instance, if all the prices (including the wages) grow at exactly the same level, the economic condition of people will neither improve nor deteriorate (it is as though the monetary unit has changed).

• Another example involves the case where the inflation is precisely predictable. In such a case, nobody will incur damage as a result of a foreseen rise in the prices. Therefore, the costs resulting from inflation is not incurred by the sheer rise in the prices, but the costs are caused by the related effects of a disproportionate and unforeseen rise in prices. These costs are in fact redistribution of wealth from one group to another. In other words, only a portion of society is harmed by this redistribution, while the other portion benefits from it. For example, the employees are harmed by the disproportionate rise in the price while the employer benefits. Also, the lender profits from such change and the borrower is disadvantaged.

3) Why is inflation more important for our people?

• Labour forces on wages compose a significant section of our society. Their wages, based on labour laws, increase a certain percentage annually. This increase is independent from rate of economic growth and is not inflation adjusted. As a result, the rate of economic growth is not considered relevant for this group, and the only macroeconomic indicator that impacts their purchase power is the inflation rate. In other words, the labour force sees no direct benefit from economic growth. As a result, inflation is considered more important for employees and the labour force, and since they have a more prominent voice in the media and may have the largest say in the election, their concern is picked up by politicians and measures to fight inflation is amplified in political campaigns.

4) If the rate of economic growth was more important to our people than inflation, would that translate into improved economic growth?

This question cannot be precisely answered. However, here are a few statements that would help analyze the question:

• The relative importance of the inflation rate has not helped control it. Therefore, we can argue that if the rate of economic growth was important, it would not necessarily result in the improvement of economic growth.

• Inflation can be limitedly controlled by adjusting wages and interest rates to inflation. However, such measures can have a detrimental impact on the economy. For example, the government can face enormous deficit which in turn causes greater inflation in the future.

•If economic growth finds a certain level of importance amongst people, it can be advantageous since people would vote for politicians who adopt and promote policies directed at improving economic growth.

Translation by: Siavosh J. | Persian2English.com

Publicly hanged in Ahvaz for drug trafficking

One man was publicly hanged in Ahvaz, and two other individuals are scheduled for execution in upcoming days.

HRANA - On Wednesday March 10, 2010, on person was publicly hanged in Ahvaz.

According to state run Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), the person identified as “S.M.” was convicted of drug trafficking.

ILNA also reports that on Saturday March 13th, an individual convicted of Moharebeh (enmity against God) is scheduled for public execution in Solman Farsi Square. The following day on March 14th, another individual charged with drug trafficking is scheduled for execution in Ahvaz.

Translation by: Xan I. | Persian2English.com

Two Men Hanged in Qom

Iran Human Rights - Two men were hanged in Qom on March 10, 2010, reported the state run Iranian news agency Fars.

The men were identified as “Hamid Kh.” and “Zeinolabedin Gh.” and were both convicted of drug trafficking.

The charges have not been confirmed by independent sources.

Translation by: Iran Human Rights | Persian2English.com

Statement by Iranian Women for International Women’s Day

Official statement by a group of Iranian women’s rights activists who participated in a Green gathering commemorating March 8th.

March 8, 2010

The Feminist School - On the afternoon of March 7, 2010, a ceremony celebrating International Women’s Day took place in Tehran. Participants included Zahra Rahnavard, Minoo Mortazi, Shahla Lahiji, Fatemeh Rakei, Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani, Mansoureh Shojaee, Farzaneh Taheri, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Farideh Mashini, Fatemeh Gavarayi, Shahla Foroozanfar, Parastou Sarmadi, Marzieh Azarafsa and a number of other women’s rights activists and families of prisoners.

Every year in anticipation of International Women’s Day, there is a particularly refreshing feeling in the air. Several days before the celebration and a few days after, women’s groups and associations in Iran begin meeting, making decisions, and planning for events. The hustle and bustle associated with preparing for this day is a testament to the constant and ever lasting presence of women, regardless of the conditions; particularly when the conditions have been difficult and under pressure. Proof of this dynamic presence is the commemoration of International Women’s Day under the very difficult and critical conditions of the past four years.

This year once again, despite the many pressures and constraints imposed, a number of programs and ceremonies were held both openly and behind closed doors by verious groups. One such ceremony and conference was “The Green gathering of women’s rights activists in Iran.”

The commemoration of International Women’s Day by influential female members of the Green movement was a spark of hope for all women’s rights activists who look to the Green movement for defending their identity and rights.

Due to the current restrictions, the ceremony took place with the presence of only a limited number of women’s rights activists and families of those imprisoned during recent events. The groups that were present include Mothers for Peace, The Forward Thinking Religious Women’s Organization, The Women’s Participation Front, a number of members of the Committee Against Violence Toward Women, members of The Feminist School, The Association of Iranian Women, The National and Religious Women’s Association, The Committee of Women Supporting Female Prisoners, and a number of prominent female lawyers.

Those present discussed the importance of collaboration between women with different political and intellectual view points within the women’s movement and the reciprocity between the women’s movement and the Green movement; emphasizing the continued support by both movements for the demands and concerns of women in Iran, particularly the importance of freedom of expression in honour of International Women’s Day.

The first speech was by Minou Mortazi, one of the organizers and sponsors of the event. Other speakers included Marzieh Azarafza, a member of the Women’s Participation Front; Fatemeh Gavarayi, a member of The National Religious Women’s Association; Shahla Lahiji, a member of the Committee Against Violence Toward Women; Fatemeh Rakei, a member of the Forward Thinking Muslem Women’s Party; Farideh Mashini, secretary of the Women’s Participation Front, who spoke of the role of women in the Green movement. Mashini discussed the constructive role of women prisoners in the prison culture as it relates to non-political prisoners and the efforts by Azar Mansouri in jail. Other speakers on International Women’s Day included Shahla Forouzanfar, a member of Mothers for Peace; Parastou Sormadi, wife of political prisoner Hossein Nourinejad; Nasrin Soutoudeh, a lawyer and women’s rights activist; and Mansoureh Shojaie, a member of the Feminist School.

Mansoureh Shojaie reminded all participants of the extensive efforts in the past two decades in the area of women’s rights by prominent Iranian women like Mehrangiz Kar, Shirin Ebadi, Shahla Lahiji, and Simin Behbahani. She honoured all female political prisoners by naming them individually. Mansoureh Shojaie talked about the key roles, the approaches, and methods of the women’s movement in strengthening the Green movement. She also reiterated the importance of collaboration between the various social movements in further developing the Green movement. To conclude she read a prepared statement that upon discussion by those present was approved as the official statement for International Women’s Day. The statement included seven demands in regards to women’s rights in Iran.

The following is the statement by a number of women’s rights activists attending a Green gathering in commemoration of March 8th, with the goal of eliminating discrimination and violence to establish democracy.

The 8th of March, International Women’s Day, is a reminder of the common protests by women around the world. Women all over this planet have made efforts on this day to declare their demands based on existing socio-economic conditions. Throughout history, Iranian women have made their voices and demands heard across our country.

This year, however, the Iranian women celebrate International Women’s Day during a time when a dynamic movement is fighting for the “right to citizenship” and “civil liberties” – a movement in which it can be said that women are bearing the brunt of the responsibilities, and if not, are at minimum equally involved and responsible as their male counterparts. Women are paying a high price in many areas such as detention and imprisonment, deprivation from work and education, being banned from leaving the country, deprivation of their civil liberties, and even death and martyrdom.

Even though Iranian women have played a central role throughout the past 100 years of our history in the advancement of justice and freedom (take for example the Constitutional Revolution, the tobacco movement, the nationalization of oil, the Revolution of 1957, and a variety of other social movements and protests in the past thirty years), and fighting by the side of their male counterparts. This time, however, women have been present in a more determined and informed manner than in the past. They have been cognizant of their gender and have played an active and influential role in the movement.

The experiences of the various women’s groups fighting against injustice and discrimination in the past decade (through collaboration, cooperation, campaigns, and various coalitions) were collectively, consciously, and responsibly transferred by women onto the Green movement.

We women demonstrated that we can move in a common direction and resolve social problems and political crises. We find appropriate and intelligent solutions through dialogue, regardless of our ethnic, racial, religious, or social differences. It was these experiences that demonstrated to achieve civil demands, a principle adherence and commitment to non-violence and an ability to remain patient and resist is needed. It also demonstrated that one can hope for change and allowed for the green movement to stay away from any form of violence and conflict.

As a result of these historic efforts and struggles, Iranian women expect their aspirations and demands to be advanced not because they pertain to a specific group but rather as aspirations belonging to society at large, so that our nation can move toward progress and democracy.

As such, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, women activists in Iran will once again announce the demands that have been raised by women over the years:

1. Elimination of discrimination against women in all civil laws, including family law, criminal law, etc.
2. Iran to become a member of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
3. The establishment of legal, social, and political frameworks for the reduction of family, legal, political, and social violence.
4. Equal opportunity for women in all administrative, political, and management areas.
5. Elimination of all gender based segregation, in particular segregation in universities and public places, etc.
6. Freedom for peaceful activities for women as it relates to their rights.
7. The release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, including women and the dismissal of all charges against them.

On the threshold of March 8th, we announce loud and clear that we will remain by the side of the people and the Green activists. We will also continue our independent efforts and will not sit still until we achieve our aspirations and demands, because we are countless.

Signed by a number of women activists in Iran.

Translation by: Negar Irani | Persian2English.com

Report on Iran: More than 400 Executions in 2009

Iran: More than 400 Executions in 2009

Iran Human Rights, the organization that works on the files of executed Iranian citizens, reported at least 400 executions for the year 2009.

HRANA - The year 2009, according to the annual report from Iran Human Rights, has seen the highest number of executions in the past decade.

The Summary of the Annual Report about Execution in Iran—2009

The current report is based mostly on published reports by official Iranian media from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. In some cases, Iran Human Rights has used the information acquired through its own sources or authentic sources which belong to other human rights networks.

Following the start of the post-election civil protests in June 2009, it has become increasingly difficult to collect and pass on information. There is proof however that the real number of executions is much higher than the statistics published in the report.

On February 20, 2010, Ahmad Reza Rashidi, the deputy public prosecutor in Ahvaz, said in an interview with a Mehr reporter that since the beginning of 2009 there has been 38 execution sentences and Qesas-e Nafs issued (Qesas is a retributive ‘eye-for-eye’ punishment). Four amputation sentences have also been carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz. Meanwhile, the official statistics of executions published in the Iranian media and human rights websites confirm only 14 executions in Ahvaz at the same period of time.

The number of executions in the Kurdish regions of Iran are considerably higher than the number reported by official authorities. Nevertheless, Iran and China were at the top of the international list of executions last year.

The statistics published in the following report do not include those killed during street protests or while detained in prison after the 2009 election. There are no exact statistics on citizens who lost their lives during the protests, but according to various sources, the number is over 70 deaths.

A comparison between statistics of 2009 with 2008:

• The number of executions reported by the official Iranian media: 339 people (282 people in 2008)
• The total number of executions including those unannounced by the official media: 402 people (346 people in 2008)
• The number of executions in the year 2009 has increased approximately 20% compared to 2008.
• In 2009, an average of over one person a day was executed in Iran.
• The highest number of executions has been during the month before the election (May 2009: 50 executions) and the month after the election (July 2009: 94 executions).
• In 2009, at least five alleged juvenile offenders were executed.
• According to Iranian media sources, 13 women were among the executed.
• In 2009, at least one person was stoned.
• One prisoner sentenced to stoning was hanged.

The statistics of executions in Iran during 2009 compared to the previous years (the statistics of the previous years are based on Amnesty International annual reports):

• Year 2000: 165 people
• Year 2001: 75 people
• Year 2002: 316 people
• Year 2003: 154 people
• Year 2004: 108 people
• Year 2005: 94 people
• Year 2006: 177 people
• Year 2007: 317 people
• Year 2008: 350 people (Iran Human Rights statistics); 346 people (Amnesty International statistics)
• Year 2009: 403 people (Iran Human Rights statistics)

The highest number of executions per month after the 2009 election:

• In July 2009 (period July 1 to August 1), at least 94 people were executed. 50 out of the 94 were executed in Evin and Rajai Shahr prisons.

The execution of minors:

• In 2009, there were at least five minors among the executed.

1. Molla Gol Hassan, Afghan citizen, male; executed in Tehran
2. Delara Darabi, female; executed in Rasht
3. Gholamreza H., Afghan citizen, male; executed in Shiraz
4. Behnoud Shojaee, male; executed in Tehran
5. Mosleh Zamani, male; executed in Kermanshah

The geographical distribution of the executions

• According to the media in Iran, the cities of Tehran (77 people), Ahvaz (41 people), Isfahan (39 people), Zahedan (35 people), Shiraz (36 people), Kermanshah (19 people), Kerman (17 people), and Mashad (10 people) have seen the highest number of executions.

The information announced by Iranian government authorities:

• Many of the executed were identified either with the initials of their first names or were executed without their names announced.
• In many cases, the crime and age (or the age that the crime was committed) of those executed was not announced.

The accusations of the executed:

• Among those executed whose crimes were announced, 140 people were accused of drug deals, 56 people of murderer, 24 people of sexual violations, and 31 people of Moharebeh (enmity against God). The accusations have not been confirmed by any reliable source.
• The number of those executed in 2009 accused of Moharebeh increased compared to the previous year. 27 people out of the 31 accused of Moharebeh (and consequently executed) were charged with membership in Jundullah (also known as the People’s Resistance Movement of Iran- PRMI). According to received reports, most of the accused people had no connection with Jundullah. One other executed prisoner accused of Moharebeh was Ehsan Fattahian, a Kurdish political prisoner who was first sentenced to two years in prison for attempting to cross the border. Later he was accused of membership in a political party, hence he was considered Moharebeh. There was no evidence of any form of armed resistance in his file.
• In 2009, two people were executed who were accused of adultery and one person was executed under the charge of being licentious.
• Most of those executed by the Revolutionary Courts of the Islamic Republic were condemned behind closed doors.

Arbitrary executions:

• On May 30th, 2009, three people were executed for participating in a bomb attack that took place in Zahedan three days before the execution. The legal process of their court lasted 30 hours.
• After the June 2009 election, there was an increase in arbitrary executions. On July 14, 2009, 13 people were executed in Zahedan, after being accused of Moharebeh and membership in Jundallah. According to reports received, most of the people had no ties with Jundallah. One of the people, 26 year old Manoucher Shahbaksh was arrested by Pakistani authorities and handed over to Iran. Manoucher Manoutschehr had no ties with Jundallah and was not aware of his death sentence until the day before he was executed.
• On July 30, 2009, 24 people were executed in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. The next day, the Iranian regime announced 24 international drug dealers had been executed. According to the Afghan newspaper Harat, one of those executed was an Afghan citizen who was arrested two weeks before the executions near Azadi Square in Tehran (the location of a large protest). The newspaper claims the Afghan citizen had no ties with drug deals.
• Most of the families of those executed after the 2009 election have been threated by Iranian authorities. The executed bodies were returned to the families under the condition that the families keep “silent.”

Methods of Executions in the year 2009:

• Most of the executions were carried out in the form of hangings inside the prisons.
• Nine people were hanged in public.
• One man, according to the official reports, was stoned to death in Sari.
• The execution of two people in Sirjan was [initially] prevented by public protest. After a few hours, the two people were re-arrested by official forces. Again, the public did not allow authorities to execute the two prisoners in public. They were eventually executed in Kerman prison. At least seven people were killed by official regime forces in the Sirjan clashes.

Translation by: Siavash Sartipi | Persian2English.com