Amnesty International is a global movement of more
than 7 million people who campaign for a world
where human rights are enjoyed by all.
Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights
enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and other international human rights standards.
We are independent of any government, political
ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded
mainly by our membership and public donations.
CONTENTS
GLOSSARY 5
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6
2. METHODOLOGY AND BACKGROUND 12
2.1 METHODOLOGY 12
2.2 BACKGROUND 14
3. ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS 16
3.1 MASS ARRESTS 17
3.2 CHILDREN DETAINED 21
3.3 STATUS OF DETAINEES 24
3.4 VAGUE, SPURIOUS AND UNSUBSTANTIATED CHARGES 25
4. ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES 29
4.1 SECRET AND ‘SECURITY’ DETENTION FACILITIES 30
4.2 FAMILIES KEPT IN THE DARK 31
4.3 ONGOING ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES 32
5. TORTURE AND OTHER ILL-TREATMENT 34
5.1 PROLONGED SOLITARY CONFINEMENT 36
5.2 BEATINGS 36
5.3 SUSPENSION AND STRESS POSITIONS 37
5.4 ELECTRIC SHOCKS 39
5.5 SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND HUMILIATION 40
5.6 WATERBOARDING 41
5.7 DEATH THREATS AND MOCK EXECUTIONS 42
5.8 FORCED ADMINISTRATION OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES 43
5.9 DENIAL OF MEDICAL CARE 44
5.10 INHUMANE DETENTION CONDITIONS 45
BAGHI “armed rebellion”, a charge carrying the death penalty under Iran’s Islamic
Penal Code
EFSAD-E FEL-ARZ “spreading corruption on earth”, a charge carrying the death penalty under
Iran’s Islamic Penal Code
HRC UN Human Rights Committee
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
IRIB Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
LEGAL MEDICINE
ORGANIZATION
State forensic institute working under the supervision of the judiciary
MOHAREBEH “Enmity against God”, a charge carrying the death penalty under Iran’s
Islamic Penal Code
MONAFEQIN “Hypocrites”, a pejorative epithet used by the Iranian authorities since the
1980s for members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of
Iran (PMOI), an opposition group based outside Iran that advocates the
overthrow of the Islamic Republic system.
PMOI People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran
PRISONS
ORGANIZATION
State body that falls under the direct supervision of the head of the judiciary
and is charged with the management of the affairs of all prisons, detention
centres and their affiliated bodies. Its official name is the State Prisons and
Security and Corrective Measures Organization.
QESAS Punishment of retribution in kind
SUPREME NATIONAL
SECURITY COUNCIL
State body that determines top-level defence and national security policies in
line with the decrees of the Supreme Leader
TABSAREH An explanatory note attached to an article of the law that clarifies the scope of
the article and in some cases provide exceptions
UN United Nations
BAGHI: “armed rebellion”, a charge carrying the death penalty under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code
EFSAD-E FEL-ARZ: “spreading corruption on earth”, a charge carrying the death penalty under
Iran’s Islamic Penal Code
HRC UN Human Rights Committee
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
IRIB Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
LEGAL MEDICINE
ORGANIZATION
State forensic institute working under the supervision of the judiciary
MOHAREBEH “Enmity against God”, a charge carrying the death penalty under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code
MONAFEQIN: “Hypocrites”, a pejorative epithet used by the Iranian authorities since the
1980s for members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), an opposition group based outside Iran that advocates the
overthrow of the Islamic Republic system.
PMOI People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran
PRISONS
ORGANIZATION
State body that falls under the direct supervision of the head of the judiciary and is charged with the management of the affairs of all prisons, detention centres and their affiliated bodies. Its official name is the State Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization.
QESAS Punishment of retribution in kind
SUPREME NATIONAL
SECURITY COUNCIL
State body that determines top-level defence and national security policies in line with the decrees of the Supreme Leader TABSAREH An explanatory note attached to an article of the law that clarifies the scope of the article and in some cases provide exceptions.
UN United Nations
”