Iran: Torture, Illegal Arrests by Hard-Line Rulers Stifle Criticism

Washington Post ^ | 6/6/04 | Karl Vik

[freedom44]

ISTANBUL, July 6 -- Iran's hard-line conservative rulers have succeeded in stifling public criticism through illegal arrests, systematic beatings and "white torture" in secret prisons, according to a new report by an international watchdog group.

Human Rights Watch, a New York-based advocacy group, concluded that hard-liners have intimidated critics by shuttering dozens of newspapers, arresting student protesters by the thousands and operating jail facilities beyond the reach of Iran's elected reformers. "White torture" is the term political prisoners use for excruciating confinement alone inside tiny, artificially lit cells for weeks at a time.

The title of the 65-page report, "Like the Dead in Their Coffins: Torture, Detention and the Crushing of Dissent in Iran," refers to the rows of solitary cells in which detainees were confined. The cells typically measure three feet by six feet.

"By targeting the leadership of the student activist community and the most influential writers and newspaper editors, the government was able to chill expression among the larger public," the report stated.

Students were more likely than journalists to suffer beatings in prisons controlled by the judiciary or Revolutionary Guard Corps, the report said, noting that more than 4,000 were rounded up by plainclothes agents in demonstrations last July. Last June, a Canadian photographer, Zahra Kazemi, was beaten to death while being interrogated in a Tehran prison. Canada recalled its ambassador over the incident. Documents showed that Said Mortazevi, a widely feared prosecutor, tried to cover up the death; Mortazevi remains in office.

[T'wit]

But nothing really really bad like making guys wear a leash?

[JustTheTruth]

This is all well known; it has gone on for years. So where is the outcry and hand-wringing from those so "distraught" with the prison scandal in Iraq? Where are the international demands for investigation and change? HMMMMM??????

[JustTheTruth]

And, especially, WHERE IS THE VOICE OF CONCERN AND OUTRAGE FROM THE FRIGGIN FRENCH - the nation that recently became the number one economic trading partner through their cozy and strengthening relationships with the powers-that-be in Iran?????

Chirac and co. have been kissing up to the Iranian Shia Mafia big time... so don't look for any morality other than money from the Frenchies . . . and ignore any of their criticisms of the U.S.A that they couch in moralistic terms - it is all meaningless "cover" for their economic prostitution and support for oppression in Iran. Just follow the money - they could care less if the Mullahs are screwing the entire Iranian nation out of their freedom and personal right to agency. Things are just "fine" as long as they get those major trade contracts to ship goods and services from France.

Chirac - you phony - you your co-conspirators truly suck!

[LoudRepublicangirl]

I see exactly what is going on in Europe. They prefer to bolster their economy on the backs of oppressed people such as those in Iraq and Iran. No wonder they stuck to their guns when it came to refusing to help us in Iraq. It would be like turning their bank account over to us. Same thing with Iran. Really, these euros have no shame. I hope the Iranian people are able to rise up and topple this regime and kick the french/german vulchers out.

[The Great RJ]

My bet is the mullahs running Iran don't have long before a popular uprising throws them out. The young people who by one means or another have access to western ideas dismiss the notion of living under an Islamic theocracy. Watch for the late Shah's son to have a pivotal role in overthrowing the clerics and imams.