Civil Society

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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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 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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June 3, 2013
June 3, 2013
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Iran: Ultra Democracy, Engineering Makes it So

In the most “engineered” of election campaigns since the inception of the Islamic Republic, candidates are surprised to find themselves censored. The Revolutionary Guards reorganizes to face the challenge posed by elections, warning that Ahmadinejad supporters could be the source of unrest in the upcoming elections. “Vision” meetings are held to “guide” voters to the correct candidate. Prisoners of conscience are called back to prison from furlough. This is how an “ultra-democracy” handles election campaigning.
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May 8, 2013
May 8, 2013
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Iran: Election Fever and Workers Protest

Arseh Sevom -- The elections are coming, which means candidates are finally registering, the internet is slowing, and paranoia is high. In the latest crackdown, dogs walked in public are being confiscated. Iran hasn’t budged on the press freedom index, hanging on to its spot as one of the six worst countries in the world. Workers refuse to let May Day go unnoticed: they celebrate, strike, and protest poor wages and even worse conditions. Ten political prisoners in Evin were transferred to solitary confinement, while permits have been issued for mining in protected natural areas.
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