Mass arrests in Iran spark grave concerns from UN human rights experts

[struggle4progress]

7 July 2009 – ... Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly continue to be undermined and human rights defenders face an increasingly precarious situation, the experts said, despite previous warnings from senior UN rights officials about the possible use of excessive police force and violence used by some militia members during opposition protests in the wake of the election results ...

The statement questioned the legal basis for the arrests of journalists, human rights defenders, opposition supporters and demonstrators, saying it was unclear and therefore gave rise to fears of “arbitrary detentions of individuals legitimately exercising their right to freedom of expression, opinion and assembly ...

The experts also voiced concern about interference with broadcasts and online coverage of protests, the expulsion of several foreign journalists and restrictions on the freedom of journalists to move and report freely, saying this had “stifled freedom of expression.”

The statement was issued by: Manuela Carmena Castrillo, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on arbitrary detention; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Frank La Rue, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Margaret Sekaggya, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; and Santiago Corcuera, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the working group on enforced and involuntary disappearances ...

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31394&Cr=&Cr1=

[rosesaylavee]

1. K & R

Don't think this should get lost in the shuffle tonight. Thank you for posting.

For our Iranian friends and their struggle...

:kick:

[bertman]

2. Every time I read accounts of what's going on in Iran, I ask myself "could that happen here

in the U.S.?"

And I seriously doubt it. That is the one thing about a well-armed citizenry that I do appreciate. Granted, a militarized police force could inflict a lot of damage, but it would be much harder to do what was done so easily in Iran.

Recommend.

I'm not sure what all of this human rights condemnation is going to do for those who are being murdered and jailed, but I'm all for the human rights folks' efforts.