In a literal interpretation of Sharia law’s eye for an eye, a man in Iran, who was convicted of blinding another person in an acid attack, was blinded earlier this month, marking the first time for such a punishment to be carried out in the country. The accused, who remains unidentified, was made unconscious at Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj on March 3, as medics prepared to gouge out his left eye.

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Amir Hossein Motaghi says he no longer sees any “sense” in his profession as he could only write as he was told

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Tuesday’s deadline for a nuclear deal in sight, US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have called upon Iran to make the necessary decisions. The two leaders spoke with each other by telephone.

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The Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran has published the following monthly report on the human rights situation in Iran during the period of January – February, 2015 (Persian calendar month of Bahman, 1393). This report cannot perfectly and comprehensively reflect the details of human rights concerns in Iran for obvious reasons including the existing governmental limitations and ban on the free exchange of information. It should be emphasized that in addition to the monthly reports, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists Association of Iran publishes a comprehensive and analytical annual report at the end of each year.

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Dozens Remain Behind Bars Since Disputed 2009 Election.The father of blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, who, prior to a six-month medical furlough granted for severe illness had been imprisoned since 2009 for his peaceful activities following the disputed 2009 presidential election in Iran, is appealing for an end to his son’s incarceration after the blogger was returned to prison.

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Despite the fact that several suspects have been identified in the recent attack on Member of Parliament Ali Motahari, who was the Iranian Parliament’s most outspoken critic of the continued house arrest of the Green Movement leaders, no arrests have been made so far, according to official statements.

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A decisive stage in the nuclear talks is approaching, as world powers aim to reach a political agreement with Iran this month. Europeans have cautiously but noticeably stepped up their game to safeguard the negotiations and, ultimately, their future relations with Iran. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini have been leading the European initiative. These two are also likely to be the best placed to steer a much-needed reformulation of European foreign policy on Iran.

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This set of five graphics compile information gathered by FIDH partner organisation in Syria, the Violations Documentation Center (VDC). VDC has been recording death, detentions, and disappearances since March 2011, when the first protests took place in the city of Deraa. Working with a network of activists on the ground inside Syria, as well as outside the country, VDC has documented 130,035 deaths and 60,424 cases of detainment and kidnapping resulting from the conflict. While the statistics provided by VDC are reliable, their figures are by no means complete. The latest UN report estimates the total death toll to be at least 220,000. 

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Paris, 6 mars 2015 – As states meet in New York to evaluate commitments made 20 years ago in Beijing, women’s rights are under serious threat across the globe, FIDH said in a note released today.
When governments gathered in Beijing in 1995, they signed up to a road map to eliminate discrimination against women in law and practice. In 2015, it is evident that the political will necessary to translate commitment into reform has fallen woefully short. Not only has progress been slow and halting but in some countries women’s rights have undergone serious setbacks. Continue reading