by Staff writer, SF
The Asian Nations Chess Cup takes place from July 27th to August 4th in Hamadan, which is believed to be among the oldest of Iranian cities. In Iran, women are required to wear the Islamic headscarf in public places. This has been the law since the Islamic revolution of 1979. Iranian law forbids women from showing more than their face, hands, and feet in public, and they must wear only modest colors.

by Armin Baldwin
During the first six months of 2017, an estimated 203 people were executed, 112 were hanged for drug offenses. It is reported that at least 77 people have been executed between January 1st and May 20, 2018. Three of them were juvenile offenders. Four were hanged in public spaces. Sixty-two were charged with murder, seven were executed for Moharebeh (being an “enemy of God”), seven for rape, and 1 for drug offenses.

by Staff writer, SF

Article 19 is a British human rights organization with a specific mandate and focus on the defense and promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of information worldwide founded in 1987. The statement reproduced below was originally published on article19.org on May 11, 2018, and its signatories include: Access Now, ARTICLE 19, Benetech, Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Tor Project, and United for Iran:

by Staff writer, SF
Iranian Canadian academic and Environmentalist Kavous Seyed-Emami died in Iran’s Evin Prison two months ago, yet officials have still not released a final autopsy report.
According to attorney Payam Derafshan, who represents the Seyed-Emami family, when he spoke to CHRI on April 19, 2018, the preliminary report mentions “bruises on different parts of the body.” He claimed that the medical examiner noted an injection on the skin, and bruises on the body.

 by Staff writer, SF
Iran’s justice minister, Alireza Avayi, is accused of being among those who have been involved in imprisoning, torturing, and executing Iranians over the past 39 years.
Yet, regime’s President Hassan Rouhani, said to be a “moderate reformist”, appointed Avayi to replace Mostafa Pourmohammadi and continue this discredited official’s policies.
Numerous protests followed Avayi’s speech that caused many diplomats to walk out at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

by Atousa Pilger
On April 19th, deputy prosecutor Hassan Heydari told the judiciary’s Mizan Online news agency that the head of the department of Islamic guidance in the holy city of Mashhad had been arrested for “undermining public decency and disrespecting the laws.”
The official was arrested on Thursday after a video showing young boys and girls dancing in public was posted online. The event took place on Tuesday. The boys and girls were innocently dancing in a shopping mall, where a singer was performing for a huge crowd.