Tag: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Day 44 Since the Start of the Protests: Student Gatherings, Warning from the Head of the Judiciary, and the Continuation of Arrests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Shakourirad, Amin Pourfarhang, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, HRANA, Masoud Pezeshkian, Mehdi Karroubi, Mohammad Ali Saedinia, Mohseni Eje’i

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data from the beginning of the protests through the end of day forty-four, 676 protest-related incidents have been reported across various locations. These incidents were recorded in 210 cities across 31 provinces. Based on these figures, the total number of confirmed deaths stands at 6,964, of whom 6,473 are categorized as “protesters,” while 212 of those killed were “children under the age of 18.” In addition, 214 individuals affiliated with the government and 65 people classified as “non-protesters civilians” have been reported among the deceased. The number of cases “under review” has been announced as 11,730.

During the same period, the number of injured civilians reached 11,022; total arrests amounted to 51,790 cases; student arrests numbered 122; forced confessions totaled 331 cases; and 11,051 summonses were recorded.

On the forty-fourth day since the start of the protests, the following developments were observed: student gatherings in Mashhad and the raising of demands regarding the situation of detainees; simultaneous judicial and media pressures alongside criticism by the head of the judiciary over delays in handling cases; the denial of a highly controversial death sentence; the publication of trade union and labor statements concerning the killing and arrest of workers; and at the field level, the continuation of scattered arrests as well as mass arrests in several provinces.

Student Gathering at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad; Demands Regarding Arrests and Commemoration of Those Killed

At Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, a group of students gathered on campus despite the prevailing security atmosphere and announced restrictions. The gathering was reported to have taken place in front of the Faculty of Pharmacy, where students chanted slogans and demanded clarification regarding the status of their detained classmate, Amin Pourfarhang. At the same time, accounts published about the gathering referred to a commemoration and the naming of two deceased students, Parsa Safar and Mohammad Mehdi Salari.

Reports released from inside the university also state that Mohammad Hossein Nejabat (the head of the university’s Student Basij) claimed that Amin Pourfarhang’s situation would be clarified “within a maximum of three days” in coordination with the prosecutor’s office. However, as of the time this report was prepared, no official details regarding this student’s place of detention, legal status, or charges have been transparently announced.

Order by the Head of the Judiciary to Expedite Protesters’ Cases

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, criticized what he described as a “lack of promptness” in handling cases related to the protests. He emphasized that in cases involving detained individuals or defendants connected to the protests, the pace of proceedings is “not as expected,” and he called for the review process to be accelerated.

This order comes amid numerous reports of detainees remaining in prolonged legal limbo, repeated extensions of detention orders, lack of continuous access to legal counsel, and frequent transfers across several cities. Families have also continued to report the absence of clear and accurate information regarding the status of these cases.

Denial of Issuing a “Death Sentence” for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini; Case at Preliminary Investigation Stage

In relation to one of these cases, the judiciary denied issuing a death sentence for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, a 26-year-old football player from Mashhad. According to a media outlet affiliated with the judiciary, claims regarding the issuance of a death sentence are “unfounded,” and his case is currently at the preliminary investigation stage.

This denial was published after claims circulated on social media and in some channels alleging that a severe sentence had been issued against the athlete. Despite the rejection of the death sentence claim, official details regarding the specific charges and the course of judicial proceedings remain limited.

Pressure on Media and Restrictions on Communications During the Protests

In the realm of digital rights and freedom of expression, Article 19 has emphasized several key points in its reports on the protests: increased pressure on media outlets and journalists, restrictions on access to the internet and platforms, and the use of control mechanisms to curb the free flow of information. Within this framework, internet shutdowns or disruptions and communication restrictions have functioned not merely as technical measures, but as part of a broader apparatus of repression, affecting the flow of information and the ability to document events.

At the same time, some reports and media analyses have pointed to the role of imported technologies and surveillance infrastructures in managing the internet and monitoring citizens, a trend that in practice can expand the authorities’ capacity to control and identify protesters.

Raising the Issue of “Equipping Security Forces with Crowd-Control Tools”

In another statement, the head of the judiciary stated during a public meeting with senior judicial officials that a review was needed regarding “how security forces confront gatherings,” and spoke of examining broader use of crowd-control tools. Within this context, some domestic media outlets reported discussions about equipping security forces with tools such as tasers and riot-control equipment as alternatives to what were described as “costly and violent methods.”

The proposal prompted critical reactions. Human rights activists and observers have stressed that such tools, if used without clear regulations and independent oversight, could themselves lead to an increase in human rights violations, particularly in light of numerous reports documenting the direct use of pellet guns and military weapons against protesters.

In this context, reports have emerged regarding the high number of eye and facial injuries during the protests, including accounts citing more than one thousand eye injuries recorded at a specialized medical center, including Farabi Hospital. In addition, numerous images and reports have circulated showing protesters being shot in the head, face, and eyes, alongside allegations of the securitization of some medical facilities, pressure on healthcare staff, and even the abduction of injured individuals from hospitals.

Statement by the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company; “Killing and Arrest of Workers” and Demand for Immediate Release

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement criticizing what it described as the “killing” and widespread arrest of protesting workers during the protests. Referring to communication restrictions and internet shutdowns, the statement says that reports have gradually emerged indicating the deaths of a number of protesting workers.

The labor union also pointed to reports concerning the mass arrest of workers in Asaluyeh, stating that workers who intended to go on strike were detained collectively and held in warehouses belonging to the same companies. Emphasizing the responsibility of security institutions for the lives of detainees, the syndicate called for the publication of the names of those killed and arrested, transparency regarding their status, families’ access to information, and the immediate and unconditional release of all detained workers and protesters across the country.

Publication of an Alleged “Apology” Letter Attributed to Mohammad Ali Saedinia; Conflicting Accounts of Pressure and Sealing of Premises

As part of the continued security confrontation with well-known figures and trade/social activists, a copy of an alleged “apology” letter attributed to Mohammad Ali Saedinia was published. The letter is addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and to “the people,” and in it, the author uses language emphasizing “love for Iran” and the “rejection of accusations of treason” in an attempt to explain his position.

Accounts accompanying this news report state that Saedinia had previously been arrested over actions such as closing cafés in response to political calls. At the same time, reports have emerged regarding the sealing of his place of business and even discussions about the confiscation of assets or compensation through the sale of property. However, the precise legal status of his case, his place of detention, and the authenticity of the letter’s attribution remain disputed and unclear.

Arrests and Summonses of Reformist Figures

Reports concerning the arrest and summons of political figures close to the reformist camp also continued.

According to reports, Javad Emam, Secretary General of the Majma-e Isargaran, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Hossein Karroubi, a political activist and son of Mehdi Karroubi, was also arrested; his lawyer stated that the arrest took place after he was summoned to the Media and Culture Prosecutor’s Office.

In another development, it was reported that Azar Mansouri (head of the Reformist Front), Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh were arrested. At the same time, reports indicated that figures such as Mohammad Sadegh Javadi-Hessar and Mohammad Ali Abtahi had been summoned.

Reports also noted the arrest of Ali Shakourirad, a member of the central council of the Etemad-e Melli Party, following the release of an audio file and claims raised about “fabricating killings.”

This wave of arrests and summonses has continued amid an intensification of warning messages from judicial authorities about “speeding up case processing,” while the security atmosphere targeting political and civil activists has become increasingly pronounced.

Task Force for “Reviewing the January Incidents”; Announcement of a Government Working Group

The president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has ordered the formation of a task force to review the January incidents. According to reports, this body is set to operate under the leadership of Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President, with the participation of members from the government as well as some officials from outside the administration.

The announcement of such a task force comes amid the release of differing figures regarding the death toll and the scale of the crackdown. While some official media outlets have referred to a figure of “more than several thousand killed,” HRANA’s aggregated data up to the end of day forty-four reports 6,964 confirmed deaths and 11,730 cases still under review.

Continuation of Arrests and Security Crackdowns; From Mass Arrests to the Detention of Students, Teachers, and Minors

On day forty-four, numerous reports were published of arrests, transfers to undisclosed locations, and the prolonged legal uncertainty of detainees. Reports included both individual arrests, naming those detained and their locations, and mass arrests reported in numerical terms.

1) Mass Arrests and Numerical Waves Across Several Provinces

At least 117 citizens were reportedly arrested in connection with the protests, including 31 citizens in Saman County and 86 protesters in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

Official media also reported the arrest of at least 67 citizens in two locations: 11 citizens in Bandar Gaz and 56 protesters in Esfarayen.

These figures, alongside HRANA’s aggregated total of 51,790 arrests through the end of day forty-four, indicate that the security crackdown has not been limited to cases involving well-known figures, but has encompassed a broad segment of protesting society, from ordinary citizens to students and workers.

2) Recorded Arrests by Name, From Tehran to Miandoab

Daily reports referred to the arrest or continued legal uncertainty of a number of other citizens, including: Ahmad Taj (Tehran), Ali Shakouri-Rad (Tehran), Erfan Arabi, a student (Birjand), Amir Mohammad Sarafraz (Bojnord), Behzad Abdi (Miandoab), Saeed Alizadeh (Tehran), Ahad Mihan-Khah (Oshnavieh), Sajjad Hekmat (Abdanan), Abbas Gharagozloo, a student (Alborz Province), Diako Rajabi, a student (Zanjan), Homa Teymouri (Tehran), Mohammad Mehdi Baralak (Ilam), Ali Cheraghi (Tehran), and Ali Namizad (Ilam).

Additional details indicate that Ahmad Taj was arrested in Tehran on January 10 and is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison, where he has been charged with “assembly and collusion.” Erfan Arabi, a 20-year-old computer engineering student at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, was arrested after being summoned to the Birjand Intelligence Office.

In a further account regarding Diako Rajabi, it was reported that he is a nutrition student at Zanjan University and was working at a café; he was arrested near Saadi Street in Zanjan after leaving his workplace. Regarding Abbas Gharagozloo, reports state that after about a month, there is still no clear official information about his place of detention or legal status.

Continuing the pressure on civil activists, it was reported that Ali Cheraghi, a teacher and children’s rights activist, was arrested on January 28 following a raid by security agents on his home in Tehran’s Punak neighborhood. According to reports, his phone and some electronic devices were confiscated, and immediately after his arrest, his Instagram page became inaccessible. His family has reportedly received no information about his whereabouts or condition.

3) Arrests of Teachers and Minors; Sonqor, Sanandaj/Saqqez, and Bandar Anzali

Several notable cases were reported today in relation to professional and age-based arrests:

Ali Shamayeli, a teacher from Sonqor, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Keyomars Va’ezi, a teacher and labor activist living in Saqqez, was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization on January 5 and transferred at dawn the following day to Dizel-Abad Prison in Kermanshah. His arrest reportedly took place at 4:00 p.m. in front of his private residence, and he remains in detention.

Saeed Hajibabaei, a 16-year-old minor, was arrested more than a month ago in Bandar Anzali and is being held in a state of uncertainty at Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics Through the End of Day Forty-Four

• Protest-related incidents recorded on the day: 76

• Number of cities (no duplicates): 210

• Number of provinces (no duplicates): 31

• Injured civilians: 11,022

• Total arrests: 51,790

• Student arrests: 122

• Forced confessions: 331

• Summonses: 11,051

• Total protesters killed: 6,473

▪️ Including children: 212
▪️ Military/government-affiliated: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protester: 65

• Total confirmed deaths: 6,964

• Cases under review: 11,730

Summary

Day forty-four concluded amid the continued, large-scale, and multi-layered pattern of arrests, ranging from mass arrests across several provinces to individual detentions identified by name, affecting political activists, students, teachers, minors, and civil society activists. At the university level, the student gathering at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad became one of the day’s focal points, highlighting demands regarding the status of Amin Pourfarhang and commemorating slain student protesters.

At the same time, on the official level, the head of the judiciary’s criticism of the “slow handling” of cases effectively signaled an intensification of the judicial approach. Within this atmosphere, the denial of a death sentence for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini illustrated how protest-related cases remain highly susceptible to the emergence of volatile and contentious narratives.

Alongside these developments, the statement issued by the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and the discussion surrounding equipping security forces with crowd-control tools underscored that the confrontation between street-level protests and mechanisms of repression continues along two parallel tracks: escalating security and field pressure on the one hand, and growing labor, social, and civic protest and demands on the other.

Increased Pressure on University Professors; Identification of 95 Professors Barred from Teaching

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News, Students
Ahmad Shakarchi, Ahmad Soodagar, Ali Ahmadi, Ali Akbar Amini, Ali Sharifi Zarchi, Alireza Azad, Alireza Radmehr, Allameh Tabatabai University, Alzahra University, Ameneh Aali, Amir Maziar, Amirreza Rokn, Arash Bidollahkhani, Arash Raeisinejad, Arman Zakeri, Armita Seraj Zahedi, Azin Movahed, Aziz Nazarinejad, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Baharak Akhtardanesh, Bahonar University of Kerman, Behrouz Chaman Ara, Bijan Ghonchepour, Bijan Nayeri, Dariush Rahmanian, Dee Dokht Sadeghi, Elham Tavakoli, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Farshid Norouzi Roshanavand, Farzaneh Vahed Dehkordi, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Ghasem Azizi, Hamed Forouzani, Hamid Behrami Zadeh, Hamid Shans, Hamideh Khademi, Hasan Razmi, Hasan Taheri, Hossein Alaee, Hossein Heidar, Hossein Mosbahian, Hossein Tafazoli, Iman Emad, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Science and Technology, Islamic Azad University of Parand in Tehran, Islamic Azad University of Qom, Islamic Azad University of Salmas, Islamic Azad University of Tehran, Javad Bashari, Karamollah Toolabi, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Keyhan Soleimannejad, Lili Azimi, Maham Miqani, Mahshid Gohari, Majid Zargham, Maqsoud Ranjbar, Masoud Alia, Mehdi Kalahi, Mehdi Khoie, Mehdi Motiee, Mehdi Shahabi, Mersedeh Eslami, Milad Azimi, Mina Matlab Nejad, Mohammad Ali Khosravi, Mohammad Ali Ranjkesh, Mohammad Bayat, Mohammad Dakhili, Mohammad Hossein, Mohammad Mehdi Oloumi, Mohammad Ragheb, Mohammad Rouhani, Mohammad Saadati, Mohammad Sadegh Ahmad Akhoundi, Mohammad Saeed Sheikh Rezaei, Mohammad Soltani, Mohammadreza Abazari, Mohammadreza Motamed, Mohammadreza Nazarinejad, Mohsen Baraheni, Mohsen Khalili, Mohsen Shahlaei, Morteza Kolahdooz, Mostafa Azarkhshi, Nader Haghighi, Navid Barzenje, Nayeresadat Mobinipour, Neda Toulai, Pantea Vaeznia, Pouya Arianpour, Rahleh Alimoradzadeh, Rasoul Akbarlou, Reham Afghani, Reza Omidi, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, Shahid Beheshti University, Shahram Abbasi, Shahram Kiaei, Shahriar Nafisi, Shamsi Abbas Alizadeh, Sharif University of Technology, Shirzad Azad, Somayeh Simet, Susan Safavardi, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran University of Art, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, University of Birjand, University of Gilan, University of Isfahan, University of Kurdistan, University of Mazandaran, University of Shiraz, University of Tehran, Vahid Eidgah, Zahra Ahmadi Nejad, Zahra Noei

HRANA News Agency – Universities in Iran have witnessed significant changes in higher education policies. Since January 2022, a considerable number of university professors in various cities have been removed from teaching. HRANA has so far identified 95 of these professors who, during this period, have faced dismissal, suspension, non-renewal of contracts, and forced retirement. Additionally, reports have emerged about the removal of tens of thousands of part-time university professors from the Islamic Azad University and several other university professors, whose identities are currently under investigation by HRANA.

According to reports collected by HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists (in Iran), January/February 2022 to the present, the country’s universities have witnessed the dismissal, suspension, non-renewal of contracts, and forced retirement of a large number of their faculty members.

This report, examining the situation of university professors in various Iranian cities, confirms that at least 95 university professors have so far been deprived of their teaching activities for reasons including dismissal, suspension, non-renewal of contracts, and forced retirement. These events, some of which may be due to support for the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, indicate the increasing pressure being placed on the academic community in Iran.

Furthermore, reports have been received about the elimination of tens of thousands of part-time professors from the Islamic Azad University and several other university professors. These actions, whose exact identities are still under review, in addition to having direct effects on the professional lives of the professors, could have serious consequences on the quality of higher education and the scientific atmosphere of the country.

This wave of changes not only rings alarm bells for academic independence and freedom of expression in university environments but also calls for immediate attention and action by the international community. This report aims to expose these events, paving the way for further investigations and more effective actions in support of the rights of Iranian professors and students.

Below is a list of the names of professors who have been barred from teaching in the past two years, and whose identities have been verified.

1- Professor’s name: Mersedeh Eslami – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
2- Professor’s name: Mohsen Khalili – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
3- Professor’s name: Shahram Abbasi – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
4- Professor’s name: Mehdi Kalahi – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
5- Professor’s name: Alireza Azad – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
6- Professor’s name: Mahshid Gohari – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
7- Professor’s name: Arash Bidollahkhani – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
8- Professor’s name: Shirzad Azad – Educational institution: Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
9- Professor’s name: Reza Omidi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
10- Professor’s name: Arash Raeisinejad – Educational institution: University of Tehran
11- Professor’s name: Hossein Alaee – Educational institution: University of Tehran
12- Professor’s name: Maham Miqani – Educational institution: University of Tehran
13- Professor’s name: Mohsen Baraheni – Educational institution: University of Tehran
14- Professor’s name: Dariush Rahmanian – Educational institution: University of Tehran
15- Professor’s name: Vahid Eidgah – Educational institution: University of Tehran
16- Professor’s name: Javad Bashari – Educational institution: University of Tehran
17- Professor’s name: Milad Azimi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
18- Professor’s name: Lili Azimi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
19- Professor’s name: Ghasem Azizi – Educational institution: University of Tehran
20- Professor’s name: Hossein Mosbahian – Educational institution: University of Tehran
21- Professor’s name: Azin Movahed – Educational institution: University of Tehran
22- Professor’s name: Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
23- Professor’s name: Susan Safavardi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
24- Professor’s name: Ali Akbar Amini – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
25- Professor’s name: Alireza Radmehr – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
26- Professor’s name: Hossein Tafazoli – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
27- Professor’s name: Dee Dokht Sadeghi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
28- Professor’s name: Mohammad Ali Khosravi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
29- Professor’s name: Bijan Nayeri – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
30- Professor’s name: [First name unknown] Sajedi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Tehran
31- Professor’s name: Farshid Norouzi Roshanavand – Educational institution: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran
32- Professor’s name: Hamid Behrami Zadeh – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
33- Professor’s name: Zahra Noei – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
34- Professor’s name: Elham Tavakoli – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
35- Professor’s name: Ali Ahmadi – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
36- Professor’s name: Mehdi Khoie – Educational institution: Allameh Tabataba’i University
37- Professor’s name: Mina Matlab Nejad – Educational institution: Babol University of Medical Sciences
38- Professor’s name: Hasan Taheri – Educational institution: Babol University of Medical Sciences
39- Professor’s name: Mohsen Shahlaei – Educational institution: Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
40- Professor’s name: Mehdi Shahabi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
41- Professor’s name: Shahriar Nafisi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
42- Professor’s name: Hasan Razmi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
43- Professor’s name: Hossein Heidar – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
44- Professor’s name: Mohammad Saeed Sheikh Rezaei – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
45- Professor’s name: Ahmad Soodagar – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
46- Professor’s name: Mohammad Sadegh Ahmad Akhoundi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
47- Professor’s name: Amirreza Rokn – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
48- Professor’s name: Mohammad Bayat – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
49- Professor’s name: Karamollah Toolabi – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
50- Professor’s name: Zahra Ahmadi Nejad – Educational institution: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
51- Professor’s name: Mohammadreza Motamed – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
52- Professor’s name: Morteza Kolahdooz – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
53- Professor’s name: Mohammad Rouhani – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
54- Professor’s name: Rahleh Alimoradzadeh – Educational institution: Iran University of Medical Sciences
55- Professor’s name: Mohammadreza Abazari – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
56- Professor’s name: Maqsoud Ranjbar – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
57- Professor’s name: Hamed Forouzani – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
58- Professor’s name: Nayeresadat Mobinipour – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
59- Professor’s name: Farzaneh Vahed Dehkordi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
60- Professor’s name: Nader Haghighi – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
61- Professor’s name: Mohammad Ali Ranjkesh – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
62- Professor’s name: Mohammad Dakhili – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
63- Professor’s name: Majid Zargham – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
64- Professor’s name: Shahram Kiaei – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Qom
65- Professor’s name: Bijan Ghonchepour – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
66- Professor’s name: Rasoul Akbarlou – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
67- Professor’s name: Pouya Arianpour – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
68- Professor’s name: Hamid Shans – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
69- Professor’s name: Mohammad Hossein – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
70- Professor’s name: Iman Emad – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
71- Professor’s name: Masoud Alia – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
72- Professor’s name: Amir Maziar – Educational institution: Tehran University of Art
73- Professor’s name: Arman Zakeri – Educational institution: Tarbiat Modares University
74- Professor’s name: Somayeh Simet – Educational institution: Tarbiat Modares University
75- Professor’s name: Navid Barzenje – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Parand in Tehran
76- Professor’s name: Ahmad Shakarchi – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
77- Professor’s name: Mostafa Azarkhshi – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
78- Professor’s name: Mohammad Ragheb – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
79- Professor’s name: Ameneh Aali – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
80- Professor’s name: Hamideh Khademi – Educational institution: Shahid Beheshti University
81- Professor’s name: Pantea Vaeznia – Educational institution: Alzahra University
82- Professor’s name: Neda Toulai – Educational institution: Alzahra University
83- Professor’s name: Reham Afghani – Educational institution: Sharif University of Technology
84- Professor’s name: Ali Sharifi Zarchi – Educational institution: Sharif University of Technology
85- Professor’s name: Shamsi Abbas Alizadeh – Educational institution: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
86- Professor’s name: Keyhan Soleimannejad – Educational institution: Islamic Azad University of Salmas
87- Professor’s name: Behrouz Chaman Ara – Educational institution: University of Kurdistan
88- Professor’s name: Armita Seraj Zahedi – Educational institution: Iran University of Science and Technology
89- Professor’s name: Mohammad Saadati – Educational institution: University of Birjand
90- Professor’s name: Mohammadreza Nazarinejad – Educational institution: University of Gilan
91- Professor’s name: Aziz Nazarinejad – Educational institution: University of Shiraz
92- Professor’s name: Baharak Akhtardanesh – Educational institution: Bahonar University of Kerman
93- Professor’s name: Mohammad Mehdi Oloumi – Educational institution: Bahonar University of Kerman
94- Professor’s name: Mehdi Motiee – Educational institution: Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Isfahan
95- Professor’s name: Mohammad Soltani – Educational institution: Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Isfahan

Among the professors listed, Navid Barzenje, who held a Ph.D. in Art Philosophy and was a former professor at the Islamic Azad University of Parand in Tehran, committed suicide and died in Dey of this year (Dec 22 – Jan 20) after being dismissed from the university. To better understand the number of professors who have been barred from teaching at various universities, see the statistical chart below, which represents the statistics of education deprivation by institution.

Recent reports published by official Iranian media indicate that the Islamic Azad University has seen a widespread removal of part-time professors from its faculty. Etemad newspaper reported in the current month of Aban that in just twenty days, more than 32,000 part-time professors had been removed from their positions at this university, which has prompted widespread reactions. These actions have been taken in the wake of last year’s protests and amidst a backdrop of political and social tensions. The Ministry of Interior of Iran has accused the dismissed professors of “politicization,” while the Ministry of Science has attributed the dismissal of some of these individuals to “negative responses from inquiries to security institutions and bodies.” Analyses suggest that criticisms and protests against government policies could be among the main reasons for these dismissals.

Reactions to the widespread dismissal of professors extend beyond public opinion and the media to include officials, institutions, and the academic community. Various organizations and entities, including the Iranian Writers’ Association, student syndicates, and university professors’ syndicates, as well as prominent political figures, have condemned these actions and interpreted them as a sign of the intensification of a repressive atmosphere in universities. HRANA news agency, on the eve of the anniversary of the nationwide protests of 1401, had also drawn attention to the increasing pressures on the academic community in Iran by publishing a statistical report.

These reports and reactions raise deep concerns about the trend of dismissal and suspension of university professors in Iran and re-emphasize the importance of supporting academic freedoms and expression in university environments. These events, which have a significant impact on the country’s academic community, necessitate immediate attention and action by the international community to support educational standards and human rights in Iran.

 

For more information please contact Skylar Thompson, Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) skylar[at]hramail.com