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Source: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/What-about-Irans-human-rights-record-419542
What about Iran's Human Rights Record?
(Jerusalem Post) Daniel S. Mariaschin - The Iranian regime has been a serial abuser of human rights of political opponents, women, the LGBT community, journalists, adherents of the Baha'i religion and others since 1979. In 2011 the UN Human Rights Council approved the appointment of a special rapporteur on Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, whose 2014 report on human rights in Iran runs 81 pages. He notes that there were 753 individuals executed in Iran in 2014, the highest number in 12 years. They included 25 women, and there were 53 public executions. Shaheed cites the death sentence for Mohamed Ali Yehari, an expert in alternative medical theories, for "corruption on earth." Four leaders of the failed 2009 Green Revolution remain under house arrest. Tehran is holding four Americans: Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian; Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor from Idaho; Amir Hekmati, a dual citizen and Marine Corps veteran; and Robert Levinson, a U.S. government contractor. 30 journalists were detained for "national security crimes," "propaganda against the system" and "spreading falsehoods." 135 Baha'i remain jailed for their religious beliefs. On Christmas Day, nine persons in the town of Rudehen were arrested for celebrating the holiday. Addressing Iranian human rights abuses must be made a visible priority by the P5+1 and others in the community of democracies. The writer is executive vice president of B'nai B'rith International.