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Breaking news and updates on human rights in the U.S. and around the world

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Press Release

Iran: Victim of domestic and sexual violence, arrested as a child, is executed after unfair trial

Responding to the horrific news that 24-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Zeinab Sekaanvand was executed early this morning in Urumieh central…

October 2, 2018

Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh hugs get son Nima at her home in Tehran on September 18, 2013, after being freed after three years in prison. Sotoudeh told AFP she was in "good" physical and psychological condition, and pledged to continue her human rights work. Her release came a week before Irans new moderate President Hassan Rowhani, who has promised more freedoms at home and constructive engagement with the world, travels to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Iran: Husband of hunger-striking human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh arrested

Responding to the arrest in Iran this morning of Reza Khandan, the husband of prominent jailed human rights lawyer Nasrin…

September 4, 2018

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Supporters hold a collection of letters and posters calling for the release of jailed UK-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe before delivering them to the Iranian Embassy on February 21, 2018 in London, England. Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe had spoken to the press before attempting to deliver the letters ahead of a visit by Abbas Araghchi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs in Iran's Foreign Ministry. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Press Release

IRAN: NAZANIN ZAGHARI-RATCLIFFE RELEASE 'WELCOME NEWS AND A MUCH-NEEDED RESPITE'

Responding to news that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been granted a three-day “furlough” release from Evin Prison in Iran, Kate Allen,…

August 23, 2018

Refugee advocates shout slogans as they protest at the Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade building in Sydney on November 3, 2017. Refugee advocates blocked the main entrance of the foreign affairs and immigration department during a protest demanding the immediate evacuation of Manus Island refugees to Australia. (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Coroner’s findings on preventable death of Iranian asylum seeker on Manus Island must prompt government action

In response to today’s damning coronial inquest findings into the tragic death of Hamid Khazaei, an Iranian man who died…

July 30, 2018

Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh hugs get son Nima at her home in Tehran on September 18, 2013, after being freed after three years in prison. Sotoudeh told AFP she was in "good" physical and psychological condition, and pledged to continue her human rights work. Her release came a week before Irans new moderate President Hassan Rowhani, who has promised more freedoms at home and constructive engagement with the world, travels to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Iran: Arrest of prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh is an outrage

The arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent Iranian human rights lawyer, is an outrageous attack on a brave and prolific…

June 13, 2018

Press Release

Iran: New evidence of appalling treatment of women human rights defenders held in Shahr-e Rey prison

Two women human rights defenders jailed for defending women’s rights and opposing the death penalty are being subjected to escalating…

March 9, 2018

Press Release

Iran: Dozens of women ill-treated and at risk of long jail terms for peacefully protesting compulsory veiling

A warning by Iranian police that women could be jailed for up to a decade for joining protests against compulsory…

February 26, 2018

Press Release

Iran: Authorities refuse to release Canadian-Iranian academic’s body for independent autopsy in callous cover-up

In response to reports that the Iranian authorities have said they will refuse to release the body of the Canadian-Iranian…

February 12, 2018

Press Release

Iran: Easing of deadly drugs laws may spare hundreds from gallows

Responding to news today that Iran will implement amended drugs laws and remove capital punishment for some drug trafficking offenses,…

January 10, 2018

Iranian pro-government supporters march during a rally in support of the regime after authorities declared the end of deadly unrest, in the city of Mashhad on January 4, 2018. A total of 21 people died and hundreds were arrested in five days of unrest that began on December 28 as protests against economic grievances and quickly turned against the regime as a whole, with attacks on government buildings and police stations. / AFP PHOTO / TASNIM NEWS / NIMA NAJAFZADEH (Photo credit should read NIMA NAJAFZADEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Iran: Investigate reports of protester deaths in custody

The Iranian authorities must immediately investigate reports that at least five people have died in custody following a crackdown on…

January 9, 2018

Iranian pro-government supporters march during a rally in support of the regime after authorities declared the end of deadly unrest, in the city of Mashhad on January 4, 2018. A total of 21 people died and hundreds were arrested in five days of unrest that began on December 28 as protests against economic grievances and quickly turned against the regime as a whole, with attacks on government buildings and police stations. / AFP PHOTO / TASNIM NEWS / NIMA NAJAFZADEH (Photo credit should read NIMA NAJAFZADEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Iran: Stop increasingly ruthless crackdown and investigate deaths of protesters

Iranian authorities must ensure the right to peaceful protest, investigate reports that security forces have unlawfully used firearms against unarmed…

January 4, 2018

Press Release

Iran: Arrest of human rights defender seeking truth about disappeared family members

The Iranian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release a human rights defender arrested from her home last night, who has…

September 11, 2017