22nd session of the
Human Rights Council
Item4
Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Mr. President,
CIVICUS is concerned about Iran that serious violations of the fundamental rights of women human rights defenders are continuing unabated. We strongly condemn the on-going crackdown on media and civil society. Between 26 January and 22 February 2013, eighteen journalists have been arrested. There are serious indications that more arrests are likely to follow The recent wave of arrests is part of a growing trend in Iran whereby security agencies have blocked websites, shut down reformist newspapers, jammed satellite stations, slowed down internet speed and threatened family members of journalists associated with foreign media agencies. Bloggers and online activists remain at heightened risk of being charged with spreading propaganda against the regime and threatening national security. Hadi Ghaemi, Director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said: “The regime is gearing up to restrict the flow of information ahead of the upcoming presidential election in June 2013”
We therefore urge the Members of the Council to:
- Support the resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and strengthen the resolution by condemning the patterns of systematic violations committed in Iran and the continued crackdown on dissenting voices.
We are equally concerned about Bahrain and the continuing curb on human rights defenders and political activists. We applaud all members who joint Switzerland in their recent statement on Bahrain and strongly underline the recommendations. In particular, we ask the Bahrain Government, as a sign for the seriousness of their attempted Dialogue
- to unconditionally release human rights defenders Nabeel Rajab, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, all peaceful opposition activists, and all those jailed for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly including journalists, doctors, teachers, and lawyers
- to immediately implement the recommendations of the BICI and to establish an adequate time frame for this;
- to adopt all relevant UPR recommendations
- to ensure that those who participated in the UPR process and this Councilsession do not face further reprisals
I thank you for your attention