Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Iran

UN Panel Calls For Human Rights Reform In Iran

United Nations, 17 November 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A UN General Assembly committee has voted to condemn human rights abuses in Iran, citing a crackdown on media, use of torture, and discrimination against women.

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By Robert McMahon

November 17, 2004

The assembly's human rights committee approved a resolution calling on Iran to carry out widespread reforms required by conventions it has joined. The measure was approved by a vote of 69 to 55, with 51 abstentions.

Canadian UN ambassador Allan Rock, whose country sponsored the resolution, told RFE/RL that he hoped it would promote change in Iran.

"For those many who are denied the right to speak out, for those minorities who suffer persecution in silence, for women who face discrimination, hardships, and sometimes physical harm, it is our desire to improve their lives that motivates this resolution," Rock said.

An Iranian envoy called the resolution's charges baseless. She accused Canada of introducing the measure in response to a domestic outcry over the death of Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi while in custody in Iran in 2003. The envoy said Iran's judiciary continues to investigate the death.

The resolution is not binding but carries symbolic weight. It is expected to be approved by the full Assembly in December.

Iran has stepped up its pressure on activists using the Internet

Iranian Activists, Journalists Receive Threatening E-mails

A number of Iranian activists and journalists based inside and outside the country have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda they have been threatened in anonymous e-mails. More

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More