Cartoon 38: Perspectives: A View of 2013

Perspectives: A View of 2013

As we enter the year 2013, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran celebrates the great work of thousands of human rights defenders both inside and outside the country, who have consistently shed light on Iran’s human rights abuses. This past year saw many human rights successes: authorities released Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who had been condemned to death; the secret executions in Vakilabad Prison decreased significantly; Iran finally responded to UN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed’s report, a sign of initial communication with UN mechanisms; and Iranian officials reacted more responsibly to the death of an imprisoned blogger, Sattar Beheshti, as compared to other cases the Campaign has documented in the past.

Political prisoners continue to speak out from prison, as do their families, risking their lives to enlighten the Iranian and international communities about the wrongdoings of officials and the situation of their loved ones.

In the upcoming year, there is much for the human rights community and every concerned citizen to do. All the people who work on this area, from those who are directly involved to those who from thousands of miles away post the news in various social media and try to amplify the voices of the voiceless, all form part of an important circle of bringing change to Iranian society and making it costly for human rights abusers to continue their violations.

This work will never end as long as political prisoners face unfair trials, the freedoms of speech and assembly are ignored, minorities and activists are unfairly targeted, and Iranian civil society lacks basic human rights. Together with the global human rights community, the Campaign hopes to maintain the great work of 2012 and make even greater progress in ending the abuses in 2013.