tagged w/ Esha Momeni
-
California State University, Northridge graduate student Esha Momeni was arrested October 15 while driving in Tehran, Iran and was taken to Evin prison where she was incarcerated for almost a month before formal charges of "propaganda against the state" were made against her. She has since been released from prison, after her parents put up their home for her $200,000 bail, but her passport is being detained. There is more behind the woman that made headlines. She is a friend, a student and an artist.
To get the full story and other Bull stories, go to: www.thebullmagazine.netCalifornia State University, Northridge graduate student Esha Momeni was arrested... more
-
-
Pictured above: Esha Momeni, women’s rights advocate and a member of the Campaign from California was arrested on Wednesday October 15, 2008, while on a visit to Tehran.
WLP colleagues from the Autonomous Women’s Movement (MAM) in Nicaragua have called our attention to the government’s raid and seizure of documents and computers from their offices on October 10th. The raid of MAM’s offices as well as the Centre for Investigation and Communication (CINCO) offices are another step of President Daniel Ortega’s government's campaign against civil society organizations, particularly feminists, who have been outspoken critics of his government.
The wider government crackdown includes harassment of several civil society organizations, journalists, and the international organization Oxfam GB, which supports the work of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The government has accused such groups of money laundering, misuse of funds, and subversion. The government has specifically targeted feminists who have been vocal in condemning Ortega’s sexual misconduct as well as the 2007 comprehensive ban on abortion. Activists have been threatened and persecuted for defending women’s rights, as have journalists who have been targeted for reporting on corruption within the government.
Similar patterns of suppression of civil society have emerged in other WLP Partner countries, beginning with the limitation and scrutiny of NGO activity. In Iran, women’s rights activists involved in campaigns to reform gender discriminatory laws are routinely arrested and jailed on charges of "endangering national security" and "spreading propaganda" against the state. Jordan has introduced a new "Societies Law" that would give government power over how an NGO is funded as well as its decision making processes and activities. In Egypt, recent legislation has made it nearly impossible for NGOs to function independently. The law places restrictions on the activities and funding of civic organizations. The state has power to decide who sits on the board of an NGO, how often executive committees can meet, and who can be invited to conferences. In 2005 Uzbekistan experienced a similar clampdown which began with measures taken by the government against NGOs and the media. After violently suppressing a public protest in Andijan, Uzbekistan's government harassed local women’s groups and human rights organizations until they eventually were forced to close operations.
To protest the increasingly authoritarian actions of the Nicaraguan government, please write to:
José Miguel Insulza
Secretary General
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006, USA
phone: +1-202-458-3000
email: oasweb@oas.orgPictured above: Esha Momeni, women’s rights advocate and a member of the... more
-
-
An American university student in Iran to visit family and research women's rights has been arrested and held in prison for more than a week, rights group Amnesty International said.
Esha Momeni, a student at California State University, Northridge, was driving on a highway in Tehran when she was stopped by authorities who said they were traffic police, the London-based Amnesty said.
Iranian officials said Momeni was arrested Oct. 15 for a traffic offense. But Amnesty said in a statement Tuesday she was taken to her family's home where her computer and other materials related to her research on the Iranian women's movement were confiscated.
Momeni, who is a member of the California branch of Change for Equality — an Iranian women's rights group — was later taken to Evin prison, the Tehran facility notorious for holding political prisoners, Amnesty said.
Her family was told by an Iranian court on Monday that her case was still being investigated, and no details would be released until after the probe was completed, Amnesty said.
Iranian judicial officials have not commented on the case and no other details were immediately available in Iran.
The university is calling for her release.An American university student in Iran to visit family and research women's... more
-
-
*Photo: Screen shot from News Channel CBS 2/KCAL 9 Los Angeles*
CAIRO, Egypt – An American university student in Iran to visit family and research women's rights has been arrested and held in prison for more than a week, rights group Amnesty International said.
Esha Momeni, a student at California State University, Northridge, was driving on a highway in Tehran when she was stopped by authorities who said they were traffic police, the London-based Amnesty said.
Iranian officials said Momeni was arrested Oct. 15 for a traffic offense. But Amnesty said in a statement Tuesday she was taken to her family's home where her computer and other materials related to her research on the Iranian women's movement were confiscated.
Momeni, who is a member of the California branch of Change for Equality — an Iranian women's rights group — was later taken to Evin prison, the Tehran facility notorious for holding political prisoners, Amnesty said.
Her family was told by an Iranian court on Monday that her case was still being investigated, and no details would be released until after the probe was completed, Amnesty said.
Iranian judicial officials have not commented on the case.
A telephone message left at Momeni's university, which is located near Los Angeles, was not immediately returned.
In Washington, the State Department said it was aware of reports of Momeni's arrest and was seeking more information.
"We stand with all those in Iran who are working for universal human rights and justice in their countries," deputy spokesman Robert Wood told reporters Wednesday.
Amnesty said dozens of other activists and supporters have been arrested in Iran in connection with their activities with the Change for Equality campaign, launched by Iranian women activists in September 2006.
The campaign is seeking to collect a million signatures in support of changing laws that deny women in Iran equal rights in matters such as divorce and court testimonies.
Momeni's arrest comes about a year after several Iranian-Americans accused of stirring up a revolution were released from Evin prison after spending months in detention. All four denied the accusations.*Photo: Screen shot from News Channel CBS 2/KCAL 9 Los Angeles*
CAIRO, Egypt... more
-
