Iran

Iran Proposes Bill that Limits NGO Activity
The Iranian parliament has been urged to scrap draft legislation that would place restrictions on the independence of NGOs.

According to Amnesty International, the law would require that all NGOs operating in the country register with ‘a new and unaccountable body’ that has links with the Intelligence Ministry and the Basij volunteer paramilitary force.

Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme deputy director, Hadj Sahraoui, says the bill could herald ‘the death knell for civil society’ in that country. Sahraoui further states that, "This bill will set back civil society in Iran and represents yet another nail in the coffin of the right to freedom of association in the country."

To read the article titled, “Iran proposes bill that limits NGO activity,” click here.

Source:

Charities Aid Foundation
- Printer-friendly version
Iran Blocks Cellphones, Websites
Correspondents say the main mobile telephone network in Iran’s capital Tehran was cut while popular Internet websites Facebook and YouTube also appeared to be blocked.

They say the communication cuts came after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a landslide re-election victory, sparking rioting in the streets by opposition supporters who claimed the result had been rigged.

According to witnesses, mobile phone network stopped working just before Ahmadinejad went on television to declare the election a "great victory" and even as baton-wielding police were clashing with protestors in the streets of Tehran.

To read the article titled, “Cellphones, websites blocked,” click here.

Source:

News24
Call for Investigation into Blogger’s Death
The Freedom House has called for an independent investigation into the recent death of an Iranian blogger, who was imprisoned two years ago for posting negative blogs against Iran's leadership.

Freedom House, executive director, Jennifer Windsor points out that, "Omidreza Mirsayafi's death illustrates the dangerously inhospitable environment in which bloggers operate in Iran."

"Mirsayafi should never have been subjected in the first place to the cruel conditions found in Iran's most notorious prison. At a time when President Obama is attempting to engage Iran, it is essential that the United States see Iran's regime beginning to demonstrate a greater respect for human rights," she said.

To read the article titled, “NGO calls for investigation into death of Iranian blogger,” click here.

Source:

<br /> Jerusalem Post

Article link:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237461635053&pagename=JPost%2FJPArti...