Rights group reports crackdown on human rights lawyers in Iran News
Sinai Noor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rights group reports crackdown on human rights lawyers in Iran

The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) released a press release on Monday claiming Iran has escalated its crackdown on human rights lawyers and other dissenters as part of its expanding suppression of dissent. The authorities are using intimidation and prosecution, with five prominent lawyers being arrested and sentenced in the last month.

CHRI, in its press release, states the Iranian government has intensified its persecution of human rights lawyers, particularly since the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests, using vague charges like “propaganda against the state” and “publishing falsehoods” to imprison, disbar, or exile them for defending victims of state violence and exposing judicial corruption.

Prominent lawyers, including Payam Derafshan, face baseless charges for challenging abuses. In contrast, others, such as Behnam Nezadi, Mehdi Karimi Farsi, Khosrow Alikordi, and Farid Nikpay, have been sentenced to prison or professional bans.

CHRI also urges the UN and governments to condemn Iran’s persecution of human rights lawyers, demand their immediate release and the dismissal of charges against them, and call on Iran to honor international laws protecting legal professionals’ independence and safety. Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of CHRI, adds:

The international community must speak out against the Islamic Republic’s unlawful punishment of those fighting for justice and accountability. Independent lawyers who defend the rights of Iran’s citizens are the backbone of a fair and just society, and their persecution is a grave indication of the deepening repression in Iran.

Iranian authorities have been regularly criticized for their human rights violations and suppression of dissent. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2024, the Iranian government has heavily restricted freedoms of assembly and expression, arresting and harassing activists, journalists, students, and artists who oppose its policies, including those involved in protests or supporting human rights causes. Universities have seen crackdowns on faculty and students, while artists, including high-profile figures, have faced imprisonment for expressing solidarity with the protests.

Recently, Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist detained in Iran for nearly three weeks, was released following extensive diplomatic efforts. The Iranian government had cited “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic” for her detention.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Connecticut adopts first modern constitution

On January 14, 1639, the first written governmental constitution in modern history was adopted in the Colony of Connecticut. The Fundamental Orders represented the first time that a government was based upon a written constitution anywhere in the world. Along with the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders served as bases for the United States Constitution 150 years later, which in turn influenced the development of later constitutions throughout the world. Three hundred and twenty-six years after the original Fundamental Orders were adopted by Connecticut, the modern Constitution of Connecticut was ratified.

Guatemala constitution takes effect

On January 14, 1986, the current constitution of Guatemala took effect.

Read the Spanish-language text of the constitution, as amended in 1993.

First constitution adopted by Connecticut

On January 14, 1639, Connecticut adopted its first constitution, one of the earliest such documents in the American colonies. Review the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.