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August 12, 2013
August 12, 2013
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Iran Sanctions — More Pain, Less Gain?

It seems that the least productive U.S. congress in more than 50 years, agrees on one thing: loading sanctions upon sanction on Iran. The new laws seem to be counter-productive, are hurting ordinary Iranians, and harm chances for negotiations. Iranian researchers are cut off from scientific publishing. Patients are finding it more and more difficult to not only find medication, but get coverage for it with their insurance as well. Arseh Sevom’s Peyman Majidzadeh provides a round-up in his current overview, expressing his concern and frustration with the contradiction between the expressed intentions of the imposed sanctions and the harsh realities that result.
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August 12, 2013
August 12, 2013
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Iran: Release Azerbaijani Rights Activists on Hunger Strike

Arseh Sevom has joined a number of organizations in calling for the release of five Azerbaijani activists unfairly imprisoned. In protest of their conditions, they began a hunger strike more than four weeks ago and are currently in critical condition. They are among many others who find themselves unfairly convicted for advocating for rights often guaranteed by Iran's own constitution.
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July 30, 2013
July 30, 2013
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Iran: Mourning Hikers, Hoping for Wisdom

So many people were touched by the story of the three Iranian climbers who successfully opened a new way to the summit of Broad Peak, yet were lost on the way down. Social networks buzzed with news, prayers, and remembrances of the climbers. Trees on Tehran's longest street were cut without permission. Stumps were left where once mighty trees stood. A member of the Darvish minority set himself on fire in front of Iran's parliament. Iran's mobile phone operator took the rare step of apologizing for insulting the country's Sunni minority. Finally, we ask if Rouhani's government can fulfill its promise of *hope and wisdom.*
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July 29, 2013
July 29, 2013
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Desperately Seeking Birth Control in #Iran

Narges Bajoghli recounts her problems gaining access to safe contraceptives in Iran. She writes, "I knew that Western sanctions against Iran had made it difficult if not impossible to procure many vital medicines...But I never thought there would be shortages of medicines as routine as birth control."
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July 25, 2013
July 25, 2013
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International Civil Society: Need for Global Solidarity

In a new series, Arseh Sevom summarizes reports on civil society throughout the world. This post looks at the 2012 publication of Defending Civil Society. This report notes that the space for civil society throughout the world seems to be shrinking even as consensus on the need for an independent civil society is growing.
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July 19, 2013
July 19, 2013
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Security Forces Unlawfully Close Iran’s House of Cinema

Arseh Sevom believes that the interference from governmental bodies and security forces is the primary cause for the problems facing one of the biggest NGOs in Iran. What has happened to the members of House of Cinema in the past few years is a violation of their rights as recognized by the international community and by article 26 of Iran's own constitution. Over the past few years, members of the House of Cinema have been under pressure from security forces. Now, security forces have locked them out of their own building.
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June 29, 2013
REFLECTIONS ON THE AMBIGUOUS UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS: CYRUS THE GREAT’S PROCLAMATION AS A CHALLENGE TO THE ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY’S PERCEIVED MONOPOLY ON HUMAN RIGHTS
June 29, 2013
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What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding in the #CyrusCylinder

The Cyrus Cylinder preserves a proclamation from Cyrus the Great which has been called the first declaration of human rights. Hirad Abtahi, first legal adviser of the Presidency of the International Criminal Court, examines the proclamation in a recently published book, stating that it can be summed up thematically as calling for dialogue, tolerance, and peace.
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June 16, 2013
June 16, 2013
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Iran Elections: Celebration Now, A Long and Unpredictable Path Ahead

In the run-up to the elections, there were threats against the families of BBC reporters. The Internet in Iran was slowed to a crawl. The Iranian Cyber Army launched botnet attacks against a number of media sites including BBC, Radio Farda, and Radio Zamaneh. Pundits predicted a win for Saeed Jalili, calling him the Supreme Leader's favorite.
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