Naghbi at the beginning of the days of human rights activities of activists / Behrouz Sadegh Khanjani

Posted on April 4, 2016July 10, 2024 by admin

“این عکس یک پروفایل است”

This photo is a profile picture.
Behrouz Sadegh Khanjani

I first met Kian Rafiei in the winter of 1385 in cell 209 of Evin Prison. He was a young man who was trying to contribute to the advancement of human rights in Iran. I remember they transferred him to our cell alone and he had some conceptual paintings in his hands; all of Kian’s paintings showed his concern for human rights.

Despite all the dangers that existed during those years, Kian Rafiei tried to bring the voice of political prisoners to the outside world. At that time, social networks were not as strong as they are today, and people like Kian, with their limited abilities, tried to make the voice of prisoners heard by the world so that they would not be forgotten. As I mentioned, due to the lack of widespread use and power of social networks, it was common for civil, human rights, and political activists to be imprisoned and for no voice to leak out. Many were completely forgotten during those years and suffered a bitter fate. I think this was the need that led Kian and his friends to think about establishing a human rights activist group. A group that has been able to be the impartial voice of countless spectrums and groups. This group has confronted the countless executions of the Islamic Republic, which have terrified the international community, and has repeatedly denounced the oppression against religious and political groups, as

Regarding the dissemination of information about the situation of Christians in Iran, there were two active groups at that time. The first group was our friends and other Christians, who were mostly non-Iranian; but among the Persian and non-Christian media, the only group and source of news was the active community. This has been the case throughout these years and the community has always been able to make the voice of Christian prisoners in Iran heard. For example, in the same year of my own detention, about 15 Christian citizens were detained throughout Iran; at that time and in that chaotic news environment, the only media and group that considered our detention important and informed about it in Persian media was the active community.

This is a picture of a beautiful sunset over the ocean.
Efforts of a group of activists to support Kavon Rafiei – 1386 – Photo from the archive of human rights activists in Iran.

It must be said that the secret to the success of the group of activists is that they have made human rights their top priority and do not even have the slightest bias towards green or purple tendencies. Unfortunately, many Persian-language media outlets, with their own biases and agendas, sometimes sacrifice human rights. Additionally, this group of activists has been able to recognize the Iranian identity of all ethnicities and minorities without discrimination, and more importantly, they pay special attention to the rights that every human being deserves. For this reason, this group even pays attention to the rights of criminals that we all know, for example, drug traffickers. In this regard, the issue is not that the group of activists approves of drug trafficking, the issue is that they are seeking transparency in judicial proceedings and defending the rights of those who have committed a crime.

This humane and violence-free perspective is a great success for the group of activists, and I hope that all those who work with this group will become more successful and triumphant in their goals day by day.

Confronting Discrimination in Ethnic/Racial Issues – Karim Khalaf Dahimi

Posted on April 4, 2016July 10, 2024 by admin

In the absence of impartial and independent news media, the human rights activists have exposed human rights violations against Arab people and other ethnic and religious minorities, leading to the failure of the closed media space of Persian-language media outlets. We have witnessed this news organization being used as a source by some human rights organizations and even media outlets, which is commendable.

Connecting with human rights activists of different ethnicities and documenting human rights violations in various regions is not an easy task and requires a lot of resources and capabilities. However, the group of activists and the news agency of Herana have been able to cover these news to some extent.

It is expected that this human rights organization and its news agency -Hrana- will expand its activities and reduce discrimination in reporting ethnic issues, and will not consider red lines for its activities in order to clarify human rights violations in different regions. It should defend and publish news about individuals, especially prisoners, without taking into account their political beliefs.

Mahmoud Amiri Moghadam: The group does not have any specific ideology or political direction.

Posted on April 4, 2016July 10, 2024 by admin

Mahmoud Amiri Moghadam is the founder of the Iranian Human Rights Organization. The main focus of this organization is on the issue of fighting against executions.

Mr. Amiri Moghadam, in an interview on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Human Rights Activists Group in Iran, emphasizes that “discrimination exists in all levels in a country like Iran” and speaks of peace: “The Activists Group publishes all human rights violations without discrimination and without considering the political, intellectual, religious, and sexual affiliations of these individuals, and in fact, any group in Iranian society can find news related to themselves among the news of others.”

He mentions “having a cohesive structure and not representing a specific ideology and political direction” as one of the most important reasons for the longevity and continuity of the activities of the group of activists.

How would you describe the human rights activists in Iran and if you could highlight one positive aspect of their performance, what would that positive aspect be in your opinion?

It can be said that the group of activists has the highest production in the field of human rights violations news among Iranian groups, and this news production greatly helps to raise awareness and also informs all individuals who are following these issues. Of course, I am more of a follower of the group of activists in terms of news, but I know that they also have other activities.

Another positive point is that in reality, all cases of human rights violations are published without discrimination and regardless of the individuals’ political, ideological, religious, and sexual affiliations. In fact, any group in Iranian society can find news related to themselves among the news on this platform. This kind of behavior is very valuable, considering the country’s conditions where discrimination is seen in all levels of society. This discrimination is prevalent in the government system, but it also exists in other forms among society and even within the civil society, and it is visible and evident in news reporting. I believe that this feature of rejecting discrimination is perhaps one of the most important characteristics of this platform.

This is a picture of a beautiful sunset over the ocean.
The activist group reports violations of Dervish rights – Photo from the archive of the human rights activist group in Iran.

What do you think is the most important factor for the sustainability and continuity of a human rights organization? Specifically, what differences can you mention for the human rights activists in Iran in this regard?

I believe that the concept of a civil society in Iran, both inside and outside the country, is a relatively new phenomenon. The collective is one of the groups that has a lot of resources in Iran and has continued its activities outside the country, and it is also one of the oldest institutions working in this field. I can guess that the reason for this is having a cohesive structure and not representing a specific ideology or political direction.

One of the reasons that groups cannot survive in Iran is most likely due to conflicts. It must be said that although most individuals who pursue such activities are concerned about human rights issues, personal matters usually lead to a decrease in activities or the group’s inability to continue. This is in a situation where when activities are based on an ideal of human rights, it can attract more individuals and even if those who are currently involved do something else tomorrow, new individuals can come and fill their place. The fact that new individuals can join the group and its sustainability is not dependent on one or a few specific individuals is a characteristic of a group that can endure.

As I mentioned, considering the fact that our civil society is young, ten years of activity is a lot of time for a group that was under pressure and suppressed within the country. Despite all of this, they have been active and deserve congratulations.

Mr. Amiri Moghadam, if you were to speak to your colleagues and companions of this group in the past decade, what would it be?

“این عکس یک منظره زیبا از کوهستان است که در طبیعت اطراف آن قرار گرفته است.”

“This photo is a beautiful landscape of a mountain that is surrounded by nature.”
The group of activists reports the violation of rights of dervishes – Photo from the archive of the human rights activists group in Iran.

I truly say to them, do not get tired. Everyone who works to defend human rights sometimes faces difficulties, criticism, and pressure, but as you have continued so far, continue your path; because the work you are doing is very valuable and strongly needed, and we all benefit from these activities. Of course, above all, those whose rights are violated, the activities of human rights organizations and institutions are important to them, but for all those who care about human rights, these activities are very important.

In conclusion, I hope that human rights violations will decrease so that your work will also be reduced. But as long as human rights violations exist, continue your work and path with energy.

We are grateful for your time that you have given us.