Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are two international non-governmental organizations that also operate in the field of Iran.

In this issue of the monthly magazine “Peace Line”, we have a conversation with Dariush Dayyak, the responsible for the Iran desk at Amnesty International and Faraz Sanei, a researcher on Iran affairs in the Middle East and North Africa section at Human Rights Watch, about the security of Iranian human rights defenders and the human rights situation in Iran.

In a detailed interview we had with Dariu Dike, he stated that the understanding of officials in Iran about international standards is limited. The fact that the government’s violent behavior and use of force have taken the place of dialogue within political and social frameworks is a sign that the government does not accept or recognize the expectations of the Iranian people. He also believes that human rights defenders are at risk because they challenge the ruling system with their questions.

Faraz Sani also emphasizes that human rights defenders are at the forefront of the fight against injustice and discriminatory policies of governments. He says, “Despite the change in tone of the eleventh government compared to the previous one, the human rights situation in Iran has not fundamentally changed.”

Mr. Sanei, to what extent do you believe the Iranian government’s claims about the existence of freedom and security for human rights defenders in Iran are true?

The truth is that in recent years, and especially after the widespread crackdown that took place by security and intelligence forces following the controversial 88 election, human rights defenders, including lawyers, have come under unprecedented pressure. A large number of human rights defenders, such as labor, trade, religious, and ethnic activists, as well as lawyers defending people’s rights in criminal and revolutionary courts, have been persecuted solely for their legal and peaceful efforts by the judiciary, and some of these activists are currently serving prison sentences. The government has consistently shut down, sealed, or declared illegal organizations, groups, and associations belonging to human rights defenders. The Center for Human Rights Defenders, founded by Ms. Shirin Ebadi and other prominent lawyers, is an example of such organizations.

Do you know how many human rights activists are currently imprisoned in Iran?

It can easily be said that dozens of human rights defenders (or activists) are illegally imprisoned in prisons across the country, but unfortunately I do not have accurate statistics on this matter. One of the reasons for this is that the term “human rights defender” does not have a precise or specific legal definition (and also from the perspective of Iranian activists) and can include observers who are working in various fields and with different motivations to improve the human rights situation.

In 2009, most Iranian organizations defending human rights were unprecedentedly targeted by the security apparatus of the Iranian government, resulting in the detention of many of its active members. Did your organization have any protest or reaction to these events?

The Human Rights Watch organization has issued multiple statements and reports in recent years regarding the increase in security and judicial pressures on human rights organizations. In 2012, in a report titled “Why They Left…”, the organization addressed the issue of increasing pressures on civil society, particularly human rights defenders and organizations. By visiting the “Iran” page of the Human Rights Watch website, readers can review and study all of the organization’s products related to this issue and other documented human rights violations by the organization.

In your opinion, why should the Iranian government take extensive measures to address human rights defenders?

Of course, it is better to ask this question from the authorities of the Iranian government; but without a doubt, not only in Iran but also around the world, human rights defenders are at the forefront of the fight against injustice and discriminatory policies of governments, and are willing to take on the responsibility of exposing human rights violations despite the limitations, obstacles, and dangers that exist. Apparently, in many cases, governments feel that there is no other solution besides threatening, detaining, and prosecuting human rights defenders who firmly adhere to their ideals and stand against oppression and injustice, and they make maximum efforts to silence the voices of defenders and victims and prevent the dissemination of information and awareness about the role of government officials in violating the rights of citizens. Of course, this position is completely wrong, but as long as governments are not willing to change their policies, behaviors, and oppressive methods based on human rights standards for various reasons, unfortunately, such conclusions by them are not surprising…

Are we witnessing an improvement in the human rights situation in Iran with the arrival of the eleventh government?

During his election campaign, Mr. Hassan Rouhani addressed numerous human rights issues, including the decrease in security on university campuses, the loosening of restrictions on media and information, and more. Although human rights may not have been a top priority for voters, it was an important factor in his election. In an open letter to the President published by the watchdog on August 1, 2013, his promises to improve the human rights situation in the country were mentioned, and we urged him to act on these promises. Despite the fact that many fundamental actions to improve human rights are not under the control of the President’s office and are related to fundamental reforms in the structure and methods of the judiciary and security and intelligence organizations, in my opinion, the efforts of the eleventh government in this regard have been very limited and more work can and should be done. One of these actions is to create a wide-ranging dialogue between the government and civil society on improving human rights and addressing human rights violations,

What is your opinion about the Human Rights Commission of the Judiciary Power? Do you believe it is an effective institution in improving and promoting human rights in Iran, as claimed?

Unfortunately, the actions, behaviors, and approaches of this commission, especially in the field of cooperation (or perhaps it would be better to say lack of cooperation) with United Nations human rights organizations and the office of the Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, have shown that this commission does not have the necessary will and ability to act towards improving and promoting the human rights situation in Iran. One of the reasons for this significant deficiency in the commission’s work is that the Human Rights Commission does not operate according to international standards set by the “Paris Principles” for the establishment and functioning of such commissions, and therefore cannot be considered as an independent and credible organization in the face of active authorities.

Mr. Sanei, does your organization have the ability or willingness to send a reporter to Iran? Has such a request been made before? If so, what was the outcome?

Organization of Watchers and I believe that many other organizations also believe that without the cooperation of governments, securing constructive, fundamental, and long-term changes will be very difficult. In addition, the method of work of the Watchers has always considered an important role for governments in conducting human rights research and supporting human rights victims, and the Watchers also follow the opinions and ultimately the cooperation of governments to improve the human rights situation. For this reason, in recent years, the Watchers have continuously requested the government of Iran to allow the dispatch of reporters to Iran and to conduct independent investigations without government interference and restrictions. Of course, this request has been made in order to increase the cooperation of the Iranian government with other human rights organizations and the United Nations (especially the Special Rapporteur’s Office on Iran), and the Watchers strongly condemn and will condemn the lack of cooperation of the Iranian government in this regard. So far, our organization has not received a positive response in this regard, but we

As a final question, please let us know how Iranian human rights activists inside or outside the country can contact you if they wish, or what kind of cooperation they can have with you?

As one of the most important relationships that I, as a researcher on Iranian affairs for the Human Rights Watch organization, can have and cultivate, is the relationship with human rights defenders who bravely continue their activities inside Iran, as well as the victims of human rights violations. The reality is that without the cooperation of human rights defenders inside the country and direct communication with victims of human rights violations, international organizations, especially in situations where they are denied entry into the country, cannot effectively carry out their work. It is important for me and my colleagues to never forget that ultimately, the main struggle for improving the critical human rights situation in Iran is carried out by activists inside the country. They are the ones who struggle daily with this crisis, who have paid, are paying, and will continue to pay a heavy price to ensure that the voices of human rights victims are not silenced or hidden, and who will be the main agents of change in government policies and the promotion of a culture of human rights in society.

www.hrw.org translates to “www.hrw.org” in English. It is a website address for the international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch, which focuses on human rights issues around the world.

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Thank you for the opportunity that you have given us in the monthly magazine of “Khat-e-Solh”.