Political Rights and Civil Liberties Iranian Blogger Current Event
Jackie Baba
AP Comparative World Government
November 11, 2012
Political Rights and Civil Liberties: Iran Blogger Current Event
35 year old blogger Sattar Beheshti was arrested on October 30, after receiving death threats. He ran an anti-government blog and has died possibly as a result of torture, according to Amnesty International last week. The day before his arrest, Beheshti said he had received a message saying, “Tell your mother she will soon be wearing black because you don’t shut your big mouth.” While Iran is known for rejecting criticism of its human rights record in the past as political and motivated by Western opposition to the Islamic Republic, its leadership has taken action on other allegations of mistreatment of prisoners. For instance, in 2009 Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the temporary closure of the Kahrizak detention centre because the centre could not preserve the rights of detainees. An outspoken, conservative lawmaker Ahmad Tavakoli, who represents Tehran, has criticized Iran’s judiciary for failing to address Beheshti’s death saying “I recommend that instead of dealing harshly with bloggers, you go after corrupt officials.” France and the United States last week called on Iran to investigate the circumstances of Beheshti 's death after rights group Amnesty International said he may have died under torture.
Political rights give citizens the right to participate freely and equally in politics, the right to seek to influence and participate in the public affairs of society and the right to participate in the political life of the state without discrimination or repression. This includes the freedom of association and assembly, the right to petition and the freedom of speech. Iran has violated these rights. Sattar Beheshti was stating his views in a personal blog on politics. He should have the freedom to write his views without being threatened and without fear of torture. The moment the Iranian government imprisoned him
AP Comparative World Government
November 11, 2012
Political Rights and Civil Liberties: Iran Blogger Current Event
35 year old blogger Sattar Beheshti was arrested on October 30, after receiving death threats. He ran an anti-government blog and has died possibly as a result of torture, according to Amnesty International last week. The day before his arrest, Beheshti said he had received a message saying, “Tell your mother she will soon be wearing black because you don’t shut your big mouth.” While Iran is known for rejecting criticism of its human rights record in the past as political and motivated by Western opposition to the Islamic Republic, its leadership has taken action on other allegations of mistreatment of prisoners. For instance, in 2009 Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the temporary closure of the Kahrizak detention centre because the centre could not preserve the rights of detainees. An outspoken, conservative lawmaker Ahmad Tavakoli, who represents Tehran, has criticized Iran’s judiciary for failing to address Beheshti’s death saying “I recommend that instead of dealing harshly with bloggers, you go after corrupt officials.” France and the United States last week called on Iran to investigate the circumstances of Beheshti 's death after rights group Amnesty International said he may have died under torture.
Political rights give citizens the right to participate freely and equally in politics, the right to seek to influence and participate in the public affairs of society and the right to participate in the political life of the state without discrimination or repression. This includes the freedom of association and assembly, the right to petition and the freedom of speech. Iran has violated these rights. Sattar Beheshti was stating his views in a personal blog on politics. He should have the freedom to write his views without being threatened and without fear of torture. The moment the Iranian government imprisoned him
Cited: "AFP: Iran Judiciary Wraps up Probe into Death of Detained Blogger." Google News. Google, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iDgFBZdviKBgMab5bD7F-BX_MgjA?docId=CNG.eceda380b55ad442c0c0b524c5263e34.4e1>. F, G. V. "Activist Sattar Beheshti Dies Under Torture In Iran’s Evin Prison." Activist Sattar Beheshti Dies Under Torture In Iran 's Evin Prison Eurasia Review. Eurasia Review News and Analysis, 8 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.eurasiareview.com/08112012-activist-sattar-beheshti-dies-under-torture-in-irans-evin-prison/>. "Iran Launches Probe into Prison Death of Blogger." Capital FM News. Capital FM News, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2012/11/iran-launches-probe-into-prison-death-of-blogger/2/>.