October 18, 2020
“The sanctions aren’t just impacting us economically, they are isolating us. Obviously, we are isolated internationally, but we are also isolated from each other..."
- All
- Advocacy
- Annual Report
- Arseh Sevom 2017
- Attack on civil society
- Bani-Adam - Anti-Discrimination
- Bits of news
- Civil Society
- Civil Society Cookbook
- Civil Society Watch
- Contributors (Issue #1)
- Contributors (Issue #2)
- Dar Sahn
- Elections
- Environment
- Featured
- Featured Topics
- Free Speech
- Guardian Council Profiles
- Halal Internet
- HIV/AIDS
- House of Cinema
- In the news
- Infographic
- Jobs
- Jobs & Internships
- Magazine
- Networking Issue
- Newsletter
- Obstacles to Democracy
- Other Voices
- Other's Reports
- Post of the Week
- Press
- Publications
- Reports
- Research
- Resources
- Sanctions
- Simple Security
- single-page
- Statements
- Training
- What's Next?
- Woman, Life, Freedom
November 8, 2018
"Causing hunger and disease through economic instruments should not be accepted in the 21st century.”
January 29, 2014
"Few things illustrate the bone-headedness, short-sightedness, and sheer chauvinism of the political structure of the United States better than the extent to which its ideologues are willing to go to score cheap domestic political points with narrow interests in the pursuit of a sanctions regime that has clearly run its course." Those were the words sent to the students of the online course "Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World" this morning. A U.S. Treasury spokeswoman reminds us that Coursera needs to apply for a license to operate and that the office of the treasury has a history of approving educational licences.
January 14, 2014
Arseh Sevom – Anyone who has every read Joseph Heller’s classic novel depicting the insanity of war and military life, Catch 22, won’t be surprised by speculations of unscrupulous profiteering in the name of country and honor. Iran’s Babak Zanjani -- deal-maker extraordinaire – seems to have walked right off the pages of Heller’s book. He’s a billionaire many times over thanks to international sanctions against Iran and his clever manipulation of his position as the Islamic Republic’s bagman. Recently he began a new stint as a prisoner in Iran’s Evin Prison.
October 21, 2013
Arseh Sevom -- Nuclear negotiations are eclipsing other news in Iran. There are hopes that an agreement can be reached and that at least some of the sanctions will be relaxed. Attention to foreign relations seems to have left the Rouhani administration with little time to address domestic issues. This has led to a number of unfulfilled promises and a slow pace of change domestically. The application of economic sanctions continues to overreach their mandate, with internet freedom suffering. Wishes did not come true when it comes to the release from house arrest of Green Movement leaders. And theater goers in Tehran eagerly anticipate the opening of The Hills Are Alive, based on The Sound of Music.
October 9, 2013
Pay no attention to the executions behind the curtainArseh Sevom -- In this week's overview, we learn that the short term political aims of sanctions have long term effects on the most vulnerable. Improved relations may actually lead to some ease in US sanctions. This would most likely only sanctions that are the result of executive orders. Sanctions signed into law by the US congress are unlikely to be changed. Over 100 tons of illegal drugs were seized in Tehran. We are not talking about recreational drugs here, many of them were difficult to find treatments. In a carnival-like atmosphere, the Iranian military destroyed equipment for over 800 satellite connections with tanks and bulldozers. Despite the kinder, gentler face Iran is showing the world, executions continue at a record rate and Internet freedom is at an all-time low. Will the Iranian government start thawing relations with its own population next?
September 30, 2013
Arseh Sevom—Could Hassan Rouhani be The One? Since Rouhani’s inauguration, a number of prisoners of conscience have been released, a more than thirty year freeze in relations between the US and Iran defrosting, and hopes raised. Some of the sanctions have been eased and tons of medications are being cleared through customs. After his return from the US, Rouhani faced both support and opposition at the airport and at least one shoe was thrown in anger. The times they are a-changing…maybe. And, in the case of Iran's women's Kata team, who were disqualified for wearing too much hijab, they are not changing soon enough. In the case of Iran's women's Kata team, who were disqualified for wearing too much hijab, they are not changing soon enough.in the case of Iran's women's Kata team, who were disqualified for wearing too much hijab, they are not changing fast enough.
September 18, 2013
Arseh Sevom -- As we were getting ready to post this week's review, we heard the good news that Nassrin Sotoudeh and eight other political prisoners had been released from prison. Author Pejman Majidzadeh's nose must really be filled with the smell of change now. In this week's review, he introduces the JUST ACCESS campaign against the unintended effects of economin sanctions. The US Treasury department has issued two new general licenses for humanitarian aid and amateur athletic events. We read of a letter exchange between Obama and Rouhani. Iran's beleagured House of Cinema has now been reopened. The case of the house-imprisoned Green Movement leaders is finally going to court. The Supreme Leader hints at better relations between the US and Iran. Iranians wonder what happened to two billion dollars in oil revenues.
September 15, 2013
