Nizar Zakka jailed in Iran shuns Lebanese regime on his birthday

Lebanese-US citizen Nizar Zakka, who has been held in Iran for 3 years on spurious charges of spying, has lamented that the Lebanese state seems to be in “full coma” over his continued imprisonment in Iran. On celebrating his birthday in prison Mr Zakka thanked the Iranian political prisoners who are jailed with him “underground” for celebrating his birthday. In a statement distributed by his family Zakka said, “They prepared … Read more →

Final imposition of US sanctions on Iran – the human cost

The US has launched their toughest sanctions on Iran in recent times. The sanctions are part of a move made by the US to strongarm Iran into surrendering any nuclear capacity. The latest sanctions are part of a process of US disengagement from the 2015 nuclear deal and make up the next phase in part of the US policy towards Iran. The sanctions are timed to coincide with the anniversary … Read more →

Iran Human Rights Rapporteur: “International Human Rights Law must be at the heart of response”

The new UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Professor Javaid Rehman, has issued his first report to the General Assembly since he took on the new role in July this year. Professor Rehman has said that challenges in Iran, ‘should be met by a constructive response which places international human rights law at its heart.’ He continued with hopes of “building on the cordial cooperation” extended to him thus far through … Read more →

A Week of Hate in the US-thirteen people killed

A week of tragic and bloody violence in the US has seen 13 people die, six injured and a number of individuals threatened with violence within 72-hours. All attacks came with a similar theme: one of an ideology of hate for others. The events have called into question the roles of hateful rhetoric in politics as well as gun control laws in the US. The week of violence in the … Read more →

Rights groups call for UN investigation into Khashoggi’s death

A consortium of major human rights and press freedom organisations has called for a UN investigation into the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi disappeared on 2 October after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. At the time of his disappearance, Khashoggi was a 60 year-old journalist at the Washingon Post, who went to the Saudi consulate to obtain documents that would permit him to marry his fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, … Read more →

Syrian refugees blocked from returning to ex-rebel held areas

Syrian residents attempting to return home to towns such as Qaboun and Darayya, neighbourhoods in Damascus, are being blocked from returning home by the Syrian government. Residents told Human Rights Watch that the government has also been, ‘demolishing their properties with no warning, and without providing alternative housing or compensation.’ Both areas have been set for redevelopment under a complex law, Law 10, passed earlier this year that allows the … Read more →