54,000 Prisoners in Iran Temporarily Released Due to Coronavirus Fears
Iran has become one of the largest epicenters for the Coronavirus outbreak outside of China. The first cases in Iran were reported on February 19th, since then the confluence of governmental mismanagement and a public health sector hindered by sanctions has created a dangerous situation as the virus spreads.
U.S. House Passes Resolution Supporting Iranian People’s Right to Free Expression
The United States House of Representatives passed Resolution 752 today, showing support for Iranian demonstrators and their right to free expression, assembly, and protest. The resolution also justly condemned Iranian officials for their brutal crackdown on protestors in November, 2019, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests.
NIAC Statement on House Resolution 752 Condemning Iran’s Crackdown on Protestors
“H.Res. 752 rightly condemns the Iranian government’s brutal crackdown in November that left hundreds of protesters dead following mass demonstrations triggered by an end to fuel subsidies. It is important for credible voices in Congress to condemn the Iranian government’s gross violations of human rights and call on Iran to uphold its international human rights obligations.”
A Birthday Wish of Freedom for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Today is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s 41st birthday. It will be her third birthday behind bars in Iran, away from her husband and daughter. Lacking due process or evidence, Nazanin was convicted of spying by Iranian courts in 2016.
NIAC Condemns Iranian Government’s Harassment of Journalists Abroad
“NIAC is deeply disturbed by reports that the Iranian government is threatening reporters of Persian-language news outlets and their families. We believe in the free flow of information and strongly condemn any intimidation tactics against journalists aimed at suppressing this basic principle. The Iranian government must abide by its international human rights obligations, cease its assault on the press at home and abroad, and free all those arrested for their beliefs and political activism.”
NIAC Statement on the Passage of Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran
“We are pleased that the resolution passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee condemning the Iranian government’s human rights violations includes a key recommendation calling for the expansion of General License D-1 so that U.S. sanctions do not inhibit the Iranian people’s access to the internet. This is long overdue and we hope that given support from Congress and civil society, including our own outreach, the Treasury Department will move swiftly to implement the recommendation. To truly stand with the Iranian people, we must credibly spotlight and condemn abuses by the Iranian government while also challenging ‘maximum pressure’ policies that have only hurt ordinary Iranians and undermined their ability to seek their rights.”
Mousavi Denounces Killing of Protestors
Mir Hossein Mousavi, the “Green Movement” leader and 2009 presidential candidate, denounced the gas price hike and killing of protestors. He declared: “The violent and bloody confrontation with angry and destitute people who’ve reached their limits, who came to the streets in protest at an irrational and profit-aiming decision that goes against the interests of the poor … is similar to merciless killing of the people on the bloody September 8th of 1978.”
Iran Gripped by Protests and Internet Shutdown
On Thursday, November 14th, the Iranian government abruptly announced that the price of gasoline would be increased. As detailed in last week’s issue of Iran Unfiltered, the price of heavily subsidized gasoline was increased by 50 percent (to 1500 tomans per liter). This price holds for a consumption of 60 liters per month. Beyond that, a higher rate of 3,000 tomans per liter applies (an increase of three times from the previous rate).
NIAC Petitions U.S. Treasury for General License Update to Support Iranians’ Access to Internet
Washington DC – As the Iranian government implements a near total shutdown of the internet in the midst of a crackdown against widespread protests, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) called on the U.S. Treasury Department to take necessary steps to ensure U.S. sanctions are not contributing to the Iranian government’s ability to disconnect Iranians. Iranian Americans have been unable to communicate with family members during the shutdown and the isolation of Iran due to certain sanctions has unfortunately contributed to the Iranian government’s ability to separate its population from the rest of the world.
NIAC Statement on Protests across Iran over Gas Price Hike
“NIAC is closely tracking reports of protests in many Iranian cities after the government announced an increase in the price of gasoline. NIAC condemns the Iranian government’s use of force used to disperse protestors, as seen in videos showing the deployment of riot police and tear gas in parts of Iran, as well as efforts to stifle communication by limiting internet access. The Iranian people have an inalienable right to peacefully demonstrate and express their economic and political grievances. The Iranian government denies them this right at its own peril.”
Rouhani Says a Deal was Possible at the UN
In this week’s Iran Unfiltered, NIAC’s Sina Toossi covers the latest developments in Iran and the region for the week of November 11, 2019.
Iran Increases Uranium Enrichment
In this week’s Iran Unfiltered, NIAC’s Sina Toossi covers the latest developments in Iran and the region for the week of November 4, 2019.