New Report Highlights Human Rights Deterioration in Iran

A new report from Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran documents the human rights situation in Iran. Under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, executions have risen nearly 300% and human rights protection has deteriorated to new lows. According to the report 29 men were hanged on a single day in July 2008, but the authorities announced the names of only 10 of them. The total number of executions has nearly quadrupled, rising from 86 cases in 2005 to 317 cases in 2007. Prosecution of dissidents for their beliefs and opinions has also intensified in recent years. Human rights defenders are routinely harassed and imprisoned for reporting and documenting rights violations. Iranian authorities have systematically thwarted peaceful and legal civil society efforts to advocate for women's rights. Women's rights advocates have been beaten, harassed, persecuted, and prosecuted.