Iran: UPR Briefing Paper on the situation of human rights defenders

(Geneva) - Iran is scheduled to be reviewed at the 20th session of the Universal Periodic Review in October 2014.

Iran severely restricts the work of human rights defenders, both in law and in practice. In addition to being curtailed by the use and abuse of laws relating to 'national security’, ‘propaganda against the system’ and ‘enmity against god’, human rights defenders in Iran are frequently subject to arbitrary arrest and severe torture, including beatings with batons, mock hangings, electrocution, rape, sleep deprivation, and denial of food.

Journalists, women human rights defenders and defenders of the rights of ethnic and religious minorities are particularly vulnerable to attack.

A number of cases of reprisals against human rights defenders for cooperating with UN human rights mechanisms have also been documented.

This Briefing Paper on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Iran is intended to assist States and other stakeholders to formulate questions and recommendations regarding the protection of human rights defenders during the UPR.

For further information about the Briefing Paper or for any assistance or advice in the formulation of recommendations, please contact ISHR's Head of Human Rights Council Advocacy, Michael Ineichen, on [email protected].