Among other pre-election promises regarding the Iran’s economic restoration and international relations, Rouhani gave a great emphasis on improving the country’s human rights record.  He promised to issue a Civil Rights Charter to promote equality and reinforce the rights and freedoms of citizens and minorities in the political life of Iran. 

During his campaign, Rouhani promised to promote freedom of speech and enhance women’s and minorities’ rights. 

"All Iranian people should feel there is justice. Justice means equal opportunity. All ethnicities, all religions, even religious minorities, must feel justice” he said shortly before his election. 

On 15 June 2013, Rouhani won the presidential elections and took office on 3 August.

Since Rouhani’s inauguration in office, torture and ill treatment incidents, arrests and executions have alarmingly increased within the country. 

The latest report of Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, shows the deteriorating human rights situation within the country and raises global concerns.

According to the report:

• In 2014, the execution of approximately 753 people was reported including “25 women and 53 public executions” which notes one of the highest numbers “in the past 12 years”. 

• “[Since] December 2014, 30 journalists were detained, despite the release of at least eight journalists since July 2014 upon completion of their prison sentences.”

• In contrast to Rouhani’s pre-election promises regarding the improvement of human rights of women and religious/ethnic groups such as Baha’is, Ahwazi Arabs, Christians and others, women and religious/ethnic groups face enormous discrimination and violence.

• “Recent legislative attempts made by the Iranian Parliament appear to further restrict the rights of women to their full and equal enjoyment of internationally recognized rights.” notes Shaheed in his report regarding women’s rights.

• “As of 1 January 2015, at least 92 Christians remain in detention in the country allegedly due to their Christian faith and activities.” 

CITIZENS RIGHTS WATCH (CRW) raises its concerns over the deterioration of Iran’s human rights record under Rouhani’s presidency!

We call the government to stop discrimination, oppression and violence incidents across the country, implement UN recommendations and respect human rights!

CRW promises to not stop putting pressure on the Iranian government until the above requests are fulfilled!

Sources:

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed (A/HRC/28/70) - (Advance Unedited Version) Available at: http://shaheedoniran.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/A_HRC_28_70_en-PDF.pdf

Weinthal B, (2015) “Are Iran’s broken human rights promises a sign of failure for nuclear deal?” The Jerusalem Post. Available at: http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Are-Irans-broken-promises-on-human-rights-a-harbinger-of-failure-for-nuclear-deal-393928