Click here to view the embedded video.

Song: Change
Lyrics written by: Michelle Montezeri
Arrangements by: Michelle Montezeri

Michelle-Montezeri

Close your eyes and dream
Go to sleep it is not real
Where will you go
when hope has left
Isnt someone caring
caring

Try to change but youre not strong
Someone tell us whats wrong
Please tell us whats wrong

When you struggle and you fall
Save yourself from it all
Have the strength to still believe
After all your sorrow and grief

Dont give up you get there soon
Youll reach the stars and the moon
Youll do the things you never knew how to do

Reach to me and Ill be there
Dont you worry Ill take care off you

Dont give up you get there soon
Reach the stars and the moon.

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If you like to like to know Michelle Montezeri better, please visit
Website: www.michellemontezeri.com

Related Posts:

1. Iran Regime Change Survey
2. Sohrab Aarabi ‘Freedom Warrior of Iran’ will be Memorialized in Bronze
3. Global Erosion of Freedom and Iran’s negative trend

Here is your chance to take the same survey but in English. You ‘ll see the result for both surveys.

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The original survey plan was for 200 males and 200 females to be interviewed, and the final results are for 162 males and 185 females. (53 people declined to be interviewed) The age group was from 20 to 49.

We estimate that Payvand’s female to male visitors are about %45 female to %55 male, and since last election in Iran, the age range greatly widened from 20’s to 70’s.

The sorting order of poll answers for each question is the same for Persian and English (the sorting order of poll results may be different).

It may take up to 30 min. for polls to update.

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Link to the complete Persian survey in PDF format

نظرسنجی

Related Posts:

1. Michelle Montezeri’s Freedom For Iran Original Song – Change
2. Human Rights World Report 2010: Iran Targets Human Rights Messengers
3. Global Erosion of Freedom and Iran’s negative trend

Human Rights Watch cited Sudan and China as countries that routinely shut down human rights groups and Iran and Uzbekistan as countries that openly harass and arbitrarily detain human rights workers and other critics.

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In Iran, Human Rights Watch covered the continuing governmental crackdown on peaceful activists following the disputed presidential election of June 2009. Human Rights Watch documented the arrests of thousands of ordinary and high-profile people, providing detailed accounts of state violence against peaceful protesters, arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, and abuse and torture in Iran’s illegal detention centers.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Disbarring Lawyers
In June 2009, following the disputed presidential elections, the Iranian government adopted new regulations that severely limit the independence of the Iranian Bar Association, giving the government control over a lawyer’s right to practice. Until then, the Bar Association, which has the exclusive power to grant or deny licenses to practice, had resisted government efforts to rein in lawyers who defend human rights.

Criminal Charges
The Iranian government has arrested scores of NGO activists and sentenced them to prison on the grounds that their work or speech allegedly “harms national security” or that they are “foreign agents.” Members of Kurdish rights organizations have faced even worse, with lengthy prison sentences, including the death penalty, for their work reporting on rights violations affecting the Kurdish community. In 2008, the government sentenced to death Farzad Kamangar, a member of the Organization for the Defense of Human Rights in Kurdistan, claiming without proof that he was a member of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). It also sentenced Sadigh Kaboudvand, who headed the group, to 11 years in prison for his NGO activities, along with prison terms for 12 of his colleagues.

Torture and Ill-Treatment of Political Prisoners
Following the disputed election, both ordinary protestors and prominent opposition figures faced detention without trial, harsh treatment including sexual violence and denial of due process including lack of access to lawyers of their choosing.

Freedom of Expression
Iranian authorities continued to imprison journalists and editors for publishing critical views, and strictly controlled publishing and academic activities.

Freedom of Association
The government increased restrictions on civil society organizations that advocate human rights and freedom of speech. Security forces on December 23, 2008 shut down the Center for Defenders of Human Rights, led by 2003 Noble Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Death Penalty
Iran carries out more executions annually than any other nation except China. These executions frequently occur after unfair or political crimes with inadequate access to legal counsel.

Human Rights Defenders
The government escalated its crackdown on human rights lawyers in 2009, subjecting some to arbitrary detention, travel bans, and harassment.

Treatment of Minorities
The government continues to deny members of the Baha’i faith, Iran’s largest
non-Muslim religious minority, freedom of religion.

See complete report on Iran and a few selected countries by clicking on the following  images.

Iran

Issues: Torture and Ill-Treatment of Political Prisoners, Freedom of Expression , Freedom of Association, Death Penalty, Human Rights Defenders, Treatment of Minorities

Since 2005 the government has prevented independent experts of the United Nations Human Rights Council from visiting to investigate alleged human rights violations.

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China

Issues: Freedom of Expression, Legal Reform, Human Rights Defenders, Migrant and Labor Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Women’s and Girls’ Rights, HIV/AIDS, Freedom of Religion, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

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European Union

Issues: Counter-terrorism Measures and Human Rights, Common EU Asylum and Migration Policy

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Israel

Issues: Palestinian Armed Groups, Israel Defense Forces, Blockade , Palestinian Authority, Home Demolitions and Evacuations, Freedom of Movement, Arbitrary Detention , Expulsion of Asylum Seekers

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Russia

Issues: Civil Society, The North Caucasus, The Armed Conflict over South Ossetia, Migrant Worker Rights, Health Issues and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

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Saudi Arabia

Issues: Women’s and Girls’ Rights, Migrant Worker Rights, Criminal Justice, Arbitrary Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment, Freedom of Expression , Freedom of Religion

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Turkey

Issues: Freedom of Expression, Assembly, and Association, Human Rights Defenders, Torture, Ill-Treatment, and Killings by Security Forces, Impunity

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United Arab Emirate

Issues: Migrant Worker Rights, Torture , Criminal Justice System, Freedom of Association and Expression

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United States of America

Issues: Death Penalty, Juvenile Life without Parole, Incarceration, Drug Policy, Rights of Non-Citizens, Women’s and Girls’ Rights, Sexual Violence, Children’s Rights, Guantanamo, Indefinite Detention, and Military Commissions , Accounting for Past Abuses, Secrecy, Renditions

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Venezuela

Issues: Independence of the Judiciary, Prosecution of Political Opponents, Media Freedom, Labor Rights, Police Abuses, Prison Conditions

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India

Issues: Justice and Accountability, Conduct of Security Forces, Violence against Minorities, Women’s and Girls’ Rights, Access to Education, and Child Soldiers, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

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Source: HRW

Download the World Report (4MB) (PDF, 3.72 MB)

Purchase a printed copy of this report

Related Posts:

1. Iran on top of 2009 Global Restriction on Religion Report
2. Global Erosion of Freedom and Iran’s negative trend
3. Artists for Iran, a Celebration of the Arts and Human Rights

Authoritarian states including Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and Vietnam became more repressive. Declines in freedom also occurred in countries that had registered positive trends in previous years, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kenya, and Kyrgyzstan.

“In 2009, we saw a disturbing erosion of some of the most fundamental freedoms—freedom of expression and association—and an increase in attacks on frontline activists in these areas,” said Jennifer Windsor, Executive Director of Freedom House. “From the brutal repression on the streets of Iran, to the sweeping detention of Charter 08 members in China and murders of journalists and human rights activists in Russia, we have seen a worldwide crackdown against individuals asserting their universally accepted rights over the last five years.”

The Freedom in the World survey provides an annual evaluation of the progress and decline of freedom in 194 countries and 14 select related and disputed territories. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. Each country and territory is rated on a seven-point scale for both political rights and civil liberties, with 1 representing the most free and 7 the least free, and then assigns each country and territory a broad category status of Free (for countries whose ratings average 1.0 to 2.5), Partly Free (3.0 to 5.0), or Not Free (5.5 to 7.0).

Electoral Democracies: The number of electoral democracies dropped by three and stands at 116. Developments in four countries—Honduras, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Niger—disqualified them from the electoral democracy list, while conditions in the Maldives improved enough for it to be added.

Key regional findings include

Middle East and North Africa: Repression in Iran led to score declines, and other countries in the region suffered a number of setbacks. Jordan, Bahrain, and Yemen were all downgraded from Partly Free to Not Free. Declines were also noted in Morocco and the Palestinian Territories. Lebanon and Iraq registered improvements.

Western Europe and North America: A notable challenge faced by the Obama administration in the United States has been balancing security concerns with the promised rollback of controversial antiterrorism policies dating to the Bush administration. Western Europe has struggled to deal with the influx of immigrants from Muslim countries and the rise of anti-immigration policies, which contributed to declines in Switzerland and Malta.

Asia: Successful democratic elections were held in India, Indonesia, and Japan. Improvements were also noted in Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Mongolia. Declines were documented in Afghanistan after a deeply flawed presidential poll, and in the Philippines after the massacre of civilians and members of the press and the subsequent declaration of martial law.

Freedom in the World 2010 Checklist Questions

POLITICAL RIGHTS CHECKLIST

A. ELECTORAL PROCESS

1. Is the head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections?
2. Are the national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections?
3. Are the electoral laws and framework fair?

B. POLITICAL PLURALISM AND PARTICIPATION

1. Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system open to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings?
2. Is there a significant opposition vote and a realistic possibility for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections?
3. Are the people’s political choices free from domination by the military, foreign powers,
totalitarian parties, religious hierarchies, economic oligarchies, or any other powerful group?
4. Do cultural, ethnic, religious, or other minority groups have full political rights and electoral
opportunities?

C. FUNCTIONING OF GOVERNMENT

1. Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government?
2. Is the government free from pervasive corruption?
3. Is the government accountable

CIVIL LIBERTIES CHECKLIST

D. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND BELIEF

1. Are there free and independent media and other forms of cultural expression? (Note: In cases where the media are state-controlled but offer pluralistic points of view, the survey gives the system credit.)
2. Are religious institutions and communities free to practice their faith and express themselves in public and private?
3. Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free of extensive political
indoctrination?
4. Is there open and free private discussion?

E. ASSOCIATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL RIGHTS

1. Is there freedom of assembly, demonstration, and open public discussion?
2. Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations? (Note: This includes civic organizations, interest groups, foundations, etc.)
3. Are there free trade unions and peasant organizations or equivalents, and is there effective collective bargaining? Are there free professional and other private organizations?

F. RULE OF LAW

1. Is there an independent judiciary?
2. Does the rule of law prevail in civil and criminal matters? Are police under direct civilian
control?
3. Is there protection from political terror, unjustified imprisonment, exile, or torture, whether by groups that support or oppose the system? Is there freedom from war and insurgencies?
4. Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population?

G. PERSONAL AUTONOMY AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

1. Do citizens enjoy freedom of travel or choice of residence, employment, or institution of higher education?
2. Do citizens have the right to own property and establish private businesses? Is private business activity unduly influenced by government officials, the security forces, political
parties/organizations, or organized crime?
3. Are there personal social freedoms, including gender equality, choice of marriage partners, and size of family?
4. Is there equality of opportunity and the absence of economic exploitation?

Source:  Freedom House

Related Posts:

1. Iran on top of 2009 Global Restriction on Religion Report
2. Human Rights World Report 2010: Iran Targets Human Rights Messengers
3. Sohrab Aarabi ‘Freedom Warrior of Iran’ will be Memorialized in Bronze

Kaveh is the most famous of Persian mythological characters in resistance against despotic foreign rule in Iran. After losing 18 of his sons to Zahhak’s serpents, he rebels against the foreign ruler of Persia and leads the people to overthrow the tyrant king.

Graphic Novel by Ramin Abhari ramin465@gmail.com

As a symbol of resistance and unity, he raises his leather apron on a spear, known as the Derafsh Kaviani. This flag is later decorated with precious jewels and becomes the symbol of Persian independence, resistance and resilience, as well as the revolutionary symbol of the masses in their fight against foreign invaders.

Graphic Novel by Ramin Abhari ramin465@gmail.com

Related Posts:

1. Exhibit: Iranian banknotes uprising

Participation criteria  for the photo selection was to have the word  “Iran”  in the photo tag or in the description, plus a high number of views/favorites, and finally uploaded by the photographer in 2009. Please post or link other photos that you find as top rated.

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1- Need For Speed by B A R A N

مسابقه ی هفتگی ویرایش عکس

27,426 views with 194 favorites

More photographs by B A R A N

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2- Iran: 5th Green Day by Hamed Saber

27e Khordad (June 17th) Haft-e Tir Square (and around streets)

9,132 views with 171 favorites

More photographs by Hamed Saber

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3- Rose Flower by Bahman Farzad

The birthplace of the cultivated Rose was probably Northern Persia (Current IRAN)…

6,669 views with 104 favorites

More photographs by Bahman Farzad

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4- Cute Baby by A.T.E.F.E.H

5,888 views with 292 favorites

More photographs by A.T.E.F.E.H

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5- Untitled by Ali Shokri

Iran, Tabriz, Miyaneh mountains

2,741 views with 292 favorites

More photographs by Ali Shokri

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6- Tulip Duet by magda.indigo

Although tulips are associated with Holland, both the flower and its name originated in the Persian empire…

2,757 views with 65 favorites

More photographs by magda.indigo

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7- Eve of Ashura by Alieh

The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram…

3,647 views with 189 favorites

More photographs by Alieh

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8- Spring flag by kavan

Kurdistan, Iran

1,868 views with 182 favorites

More photographs by Kavan

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9-Road Man by by Shahram Sharif

Baraghan, Iran

3,028 views with 141 favorites

More photographs by Shahram Sharif

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10- Peace and Freedom for IRAN by Negar Daneshfar

Jun 22, 2009

Flickr Stats: 2,223 views with 53 favorites

More photographs by Negar Daneshfar

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Honorable mentions

1- Memories of April 1979, People Revolution by * WE * Ahmad & Graça

I dedicate this image to the brave people of my country, who lost their children and loved ones in recent fascistic attacks to peaceful demonstrations in Iran…

More photographs by * WE * Ahmad & Graça

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2- Untitled by Tamishir

More photographs by Tamshir

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3- Iran – Mystery Woman in Virani Caravanserai in Mashhad by Lucie’s Photography

The Ribat-i Sharaf is a caravanserai, or rest place for travellers, that is located in northern Iran between Merv and Nishapur…

More photographs by Lucie’s Photography

Related Posts:

1. Photos: The Life of Nomads in Iran
2. Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran
3. Exhibition: Tehran-New York

Topping the government restrictions index were Saudi Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China, Egypt, Burma, Maldives, Eritrea, Malaysia and Brunei.

At the top of the social hostilities index were Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Somalia, Israel, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life report found that a minority of countries have high restrictions on religion, but these countries contain most of the world’s population.

Of the world’s 25 most populous countries, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and India have the most restrictions, while Brazil, Japan, the United States, Italy, South Africa and Britain have some of the lowest levels.

The report found that the percentage of the world’s countries with high or very high government restrictions is at about 20 percent, which amounts to 57 percent of the world’s population. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Iran and former communist countries, such as Russia, Belarus and Bulgaria, where state atheism has been replaced by favored religions that are accorded special protections or privileges.

Among the world’s 25 most populous countries, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and India stand out as having the most restrictions when both measures are taken into account, while Brazil, Japan, the United States, Italy, South Africa and the United Kingdom have the least.

Government Restrictions Index (GRI)

The Government Restrictions Index is based on 20 questions used by the Pew Forum to assess whether governments – including at the local or provincial level – restrict religious practices or beliefs.

3 GRI sample questions (see PDF file link at the end of this article for all questions)

A- Does any level of government ask religious groups to register for any reason, including to be eligible for benefits such as tax exemption?

B- Does any level of government formally ban any religious groups?

C- Is religious education required in public schools?

On average, restrictions are highest in the Middle East-North Africa, where the median score for the 20 countries (4.9) is considerably higher than for the 35 countries in the Americas (1.0), the region with the lowest median score.

Social Hostilities Index (SHI)

Restrictions on religion can result not only from the actions of governments but also from acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations or social groups.

The Social Hostilities Index is based on 13 questions used by the Pew Forum to gauge hostilities both between and within religious groups, including mob or sectarian violence, crimes motivated by religious bias, physical conflict over conversions, harassment over attire for religious reasons, and other religion-related intimidation and violence, including terrorism and war. At the top of the social hostilities index were Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Somalia, Israel, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

3 SHI sample questions (see PDF file link at the end of this article for all questions)

A- Did violence result from tensions between religious groups?

B- Were there acts of sectarian or communal violence between religious groups?

C- Were there incidents of hostility over conversions from one religion to another?

Israel stands out on the list of countries with high scores on the social hostilities index as most of the other countries are either failed states, highly authoritarian or have recently undergone civil wars. Israel’s score is driven up by security policies that sometimes have the effect of limiting access to religious sites, and by its preferential treatment of Orthodox Jews. The government recognizes only Orthodox Jewish religious authorities in some personal status matters (such as marriage) concerning Jews and devotes the bulk of state funds provided for religion to Orthodox Jews, even though they make up only a small portion of all Jews in Israel.

Comparing Government Restrictions and Social Hostilities

Religious Restrictions in the 50 Most Populous Countries

Religious Restrictions in 198 Countries

Information Sources

The Pew Forum identified 16 widely available, frequently cited sources of information on government restrictions and social hostilities involving religion around the world. These sources, which are listed below, include reports from U.S. government agencies, several independent, nongovernmental organizations and a variety of European and United Nations bodies. Although most of these organizations are based in Western countries, many of them depend on local staff to collect information across the globe. As previously noted, the Pew Forum did not use the commentaries, opinions or normative judgments of the sources; the sources were combed only for factual information on specific policies and actions.

1. Country constitutions
2. U.S. State Department annual reports on International Religious Freedom
3. U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom annual reports
4. U.N. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief reports (Asma Jahangir)
5. Human Rights First reports
6. Hudson Institute publication: Religious Freedom in the World (Paul Marshall)
7. Human Rights Watch topical reports
8. International Crisis Group country reports
9. United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office annual report on human rights
10. Council of the European Union annual report on human rights
11. Amnesty International reports
12. European Network Against Racism Shadow Reports
13. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports
14. U.S. State Department annual Country Reports on Terrorism
15. Anti-Defamation League reports
16. U.S. State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

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Source: Much more data including complete set of questions, methodology, potential biases, example of data coding, can be found on the report’s PDF file from pewforum.org

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Religious Symbols

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Related Posts:

1. Human Rights World Report 2010: Iran Targets Human Rights Messengers
2. Global Erosion of Freedom and Iran’s negative trend
3. Iran Ranks 99 out of 140 in Global Peace Index 2009

It should be no surprise that in Twitter’s analysis of keywords the topic that came up most in 2009 was Iran. Abdur Chowdhury, Twitter’s chief scientist, wrote that #iranelection, Iran and Tehran finished in the top 21 of all trending topics, with #iranelection hashtag finishing first in the category of news, above swine flu.

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“Among all the keywords, hashtags, and phrases that proliferated throughout the year, one topic surfaced repeatedly,” the company wrote in a blog post Tuesday. “Twitter users found the Iranian elections the most engaging topic of the year. The terms #iranelection, Iran and Tehran were all in the top-21 of Trending Topics, and #iranelection finished in a close second behind the regular weekly favorite #musicmonday.”  Hashtags are a user-developed method to make it easier to search within Twitter for particular keywords.

Graph source: blogpulse.com and trendrr.com

Twitter posts on #iranelection reached 100,000 per hour on June 16 and eventually climbed to 220,000 per hour. In response to the Iranian governments shutdown of both local and international from reporting on the events unfolding in Iran, it’s connected populace turned to social media channels, to break the news using mobile phones, through proxy servers setup by freedom of speech advocates in the US and their own blogs and social media outlets.

Following are a couple of graphs from infoharmoni.com analyzing Iran twitter news.

infoharmoni.com

According to retweetradar.com IranElection was top 10 trend for the following 60 days in 2009.

December 7
November 4
September 12, 18
August 1, 2, 3,4,5,8, 10, 17
July, almost the whole month
June, everyday from 13-29

Here is Payvand’s iran_news stats from tweetstats.com (Apr. 09 to Dec. 16 2009)

Below is a partial graph  of Payvand’s twitter friends network provided by twitnest.appspot.com

And finally if you like your tweets to be translated to/from Persian please visit http://tweetrans.com/

Related Posts:

1. Iran on top of 2009 Global Restriction on Religion Report
2. Posters: Students’ Day Nov. 4th 2009
3. Iran falls to 168 in Corruption Perception Index 2009

San Francisco City Supervisior Ross Mirkarimi will unveil renown sculptor, Paula Slater’s bronze portrait sculptures of Sohrab ‘Freedom Warrior’ and Neda ‘Angel of Freedom’ on December 12th in San Francisco as part of “Arts United 4 Iran”.

Master sculptor, Paula Slater, who sculpted the much beloved bronze portrait sculptures of Neda ‘Angel of Iran’ and Neda ‘Angel of Freedom’ received many requests for her to also please sculpt a portrait bust of Sohrab Aarabi.  Sohrab was a 19 year old Iranian pro-democracy student who disappeared after his participation in a June 2009 protest against the fraudulent election.  Aarabi’s parents filed a missing person’s report and each day his mother took his photograph to prisons and courts in search of information.

It wasn’t until 26 days after he went missing that the government finally notified his parents of his death.  He had been shot in the heart by pro-regime militia during the demonstration and had died almost a month earlier.  Sohrab’s family was ordered not to have a memorial service for him, but crowds chanted in defiance of the police as they gathered for his funeral.  The name Sohrab means “bright, shining” and is the name of a hero in Perisan history.  Like Neda Agha-Soltan, Sohrab has become a martyr and a powerful symbol of the fight for Freedom in Iran.  (Photos of the beautifully detailed life size clay bust presently being cast in bronze at http://www.paulaslater.com/Slater/Sculptor/WorksInProgre ….)

Asked why she chose to sculpt this third portrait, Ms. Slater explains, “I wanted to sculpt a portrait bust of Sohrab to represent all the brave male freedom fighters who continue to risk their lives daily in their protests for human rights and Democracy in Iran.  Seventy percent of the Iranian population want a free and independent secular Iran. Today’s real green movement protests are composed of Iranian youths, university students, women, human rights and political activists who do not want an Islamic dictatorship.

Life Size Clay Portrait Bust of Sohrab 'Freedom Warrior' by Paula Slater

http://www.paulaslater.com/

As an Iranian woman named Leyla writes, “The Iranian people have had enough of the brutal killing, torturing and imprisonment by this backward theocracy which has devastated the lives of tens of millions of Iranians.  It is so painful to think of the greatness we could have achieved during these last 30 years–Iranians could have lived in prosperity, peace and harmony in their own country–instead 70 million Iranians live in a big third world prison!  For most Iranians this is not about Mousavi vs Ahmadinejad.  This is about Freedom and Democracy vs the “Islamic” republic!   From its damned birth 30 years ago, this Regime has enriched Arab terrorist organizations and has tried to impose Arab-ism on Iran and Iranians.  It wants to replace our rich Persian heritage with a radical Arab culture.  But the people have had enough and that’s why they’re still coming out on the streets to protest–Iranians will not rest until the “Islamic” republic has been totally crushed!”

Ayatollah Khamenei and Ahmadinejad have been kept in power by their Revolutionary Guard, the ruthless Basij militia, and pro-regime vigilante Police who are given carte blanche to kill and beat the Iranian people into submission.  Dozens of protesters have died, and Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have reported 4,000 arrests and Stalinesque mass trials.  As Hillary Clinton recently stated about the rape, torture, executions, imprisonments and disappearances in Iran, “this just shows that the Iranian Government is afraid of its own people.”

“This is a pivoltal moment in history for the Iranian people and thus also for the world,” says Paula. “Artists are supposed to be the visionaries who tell the stories of humankind. The Iranian people have shown me so much gratitude that I must keep telling their story through my art.  Once the clay sculpture of Sohrab is cast in bronze I will find a place to donate it where it will inspire people with the story of his heroic fight for freedom.”

Mona Ameli, with Bay Area Iranian American Democrats, recently wrote to Paula, “Thank you for all your hard work…  I was thinking the other day:  if Neda is the Angel of Freedom, you my dear, are the Angel of Solidarity!

So what is next for this Angel of Solidarity?  ”There is a saying, ‘Bread for the table, flowers for the soul’,” replies Paula.  ”I know I am very blessed to be a professional sculptor and sculpting public commissions puts bread on my table, however sculpting and donating these portraits of Neda and Sohrab have been flowers for my soul.  I will continue to plant my soul garden and do what I can to help keep their memory alive, as I am now designing a Bronze Monument to Neda, Sohrab and the Freedom Fighters.  I also hope to continue being a thorn in the side of the Islamic Regime until their reign of oppression and terror ends.  I believe their karmic day of reckoning is fast approaching, however, bronze lasts for centuries–so these bronze sculptures will last long after the Islamic Regime has turned to dust.  In the meantime, we must all keep the dream of a free Iran alive in our hearts.”  For updates and more information about the Monument as it progresses visit http://www.PaulaSlater.com.

Please click on http://www.NorCal4Iran.com for upcoming details regarding when and where the unveiling of the Sohrab and Neda bronze portraits will take place. On December 12th, United4iran is hosting global events around the world, “Arts United4iran”, in which artists are in some fashion displaying their works to celebrate the civil rights movement in Iran.  December 12th comes six months after the disputed elections in Iran, and coincides with the 61st anniversary of the International Declaration of Human Rights. For more information about 12/12 events around the world, go to http://www.United4Iran.org.

# # #

Paula Slater Sculpture is owned and operated by Paula B. Slater, M.A. Paula Slater is a full-time professional sculptor and has sculpted many important bronze monuments, portraits and public commissions.
http://www.PaulaSlater.com

Related Posts:

1. Iran Regime Change Survey
2. Global Erosion of Freedom and Iran’s negative trend
3. Michelle Montezeri’s Freedom For Iran Original Song – Change

"I'm Still Waiting" by Sophia Gasparian

Los Angeles, December 12 7:30pm
Exhibition open till Dec. 31

Levantine Cultural Center presents an extensive roster of artists and performers in “Artists for Iran,” a celebration of the arts and human rights in conjunction with United4Iran.org, which is coordinating related programs in 27 cities worldwide. Combining cultural diplomacy and human rights, “Artists for Iran” comes on the heels of International Human Rights Day. Artists from Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East along with Americans of diverse backgrounds will merge in a space devoted to art, photography, poetry, live performance, comedy and more.

Artists will perform at various times throughout the evening (but primarily between 8:30-10:30 pm).

The evening will be devoted to literary, visual, and performing arts highlighting the issues of human rights in Iran and elsewhere in the world.

Levantine Cultural Center uses cultural diplomacy–the art of creating safe spaces for dialogue and contemplation of artistic expression–to bridge cultures in conflict. This evening is devoted to the arts while celebrating a culture of human rights, something that all Americans take for granted.

Art is a universal expression that connects humanity across time and space and it has been the voice of justice, peace and rights throughout time. Currently many brave artists in Iran are speaking up to demand basic rights and we need to support them.

Read messages of support for Iran by a wide range of international artists, see videos, learn more about the various global events, see the United4Iran web site.

Artists’ Bios

Sophia Gasparian

Sophia Gasparian (b. 1972, Armenia) is a Los Angeles-based artist. Her work began in experimental film and later transitioned to installation combining video, sound and painting. In 2002, Sophia developed “The Day of the Dead: Armenian Genocide 1915″ installation and co-curated an international group exhibition “Requiem for the Genocide” with Yerevan MOCA. Sophia’s work is archived at the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. Sophia’s narrative paintings intertwine childlike innocence with sociopolitical criticism and her aesthetic approach remains apart from mainstream art, incorporating stencils, stickers, spray paint and other nontraditional media. Sophia lives and works in her studio in Los Angeles.

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Shelley Gazin

Shelley Gazin is an award-winning artist and photojournalist, educator and historian of contemporary culture. Her commissioned portraiture and documentary-style imagery illuminates the 20th and 21st Century social, political, entrepreneurial and spiritual landscape. The GAZIN ARCHIVE pays tribute to forward-thinking artists, scientists, civic leaders, business professionals, friends, neighbors and strangers from every walk of life.

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Maryam Gueramian

Born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland in 1985, Maryam Gueramian lived in Tehran, Iran for a while before moving to the United States at the age of 14. Since the age of 3, Maryam developed a passion for art, and has been continuing to cultivate her talent. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Economics from the University of California, San Diego, Maryam decided to expand her hobby of painting, and spend more time focusing on her passion. After graduation, she moved to Tehran and was inspired by the Iranian and Eastern culture and beliefs, and inspired to create the paintings you see today. To better cope with cultural and political difficulties existing in Iran, she delved into a period of artistic exertion. She is now working on her MBA degree at Cal State Northridge. Maryam hopes that one day, cultural and religious beliefs will bring people closer to each other rather than separating them.

Elham Jazab

Born in Shiraz, Iran, Elham Jazab‘s family moved to Tunisia and later Zaire, Africa. Her comedy explores issues that are current and controversial, including the unusual nature of transplanted Persian culture (Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Tehran). With rave reviews on the street, Elham has been called “outrageous,” “hilarious” and “the world’s funniest female Persian comic.” With a degree in theatre and film from Northwestern University, and a Masters from Columbia College, she is well equipped to see the funny side of most any situation. She has been a regular in the Sultans of Satire and has performed in such comedy venues as The Comedy Store, the Improv and the Laugh Factory, dispensing her sly blend of cross-cultural humor.

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Amir Kamyab

Amir Kamyab is one of the fastest rising young comedians in Los Angeles. Born in Tehran, Iran and raised in Southern California, his comedy is a hilarious blend of character work, storytelling and improvisation shaped by a multi-cultural upbringing. Amir’s raw talent is showcased on a nightly basis at various venues including comedy clubs and playhouses in and around the Los Angeles area.

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Mozhan Marnó

Mozhan Marnó is an Iranian American film and television actress who recently starred as Soraya in The Stoning of Soraya M. She won rave reviews for her performances as nine Iraqi women characters in the Heather Raffo play 9 Parts of Desire at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. She has also had roles in such feature films as Charlie Wilson’s War and Traitor. She attended boarding school at Phillips Academy, Andover in Massachusetts. Soon after, she earned a BA in Comparative Literature from Columbia University and an MFA in Acting at the prestigious Yale School of Drama. Additionally, Marnò received training at the Guthrie Theater in Minnesota and at the Public Theater’s Shakespeare Lab in New York. Marnò has lived in France, Germany, Sweden and Argentina, and speaks French, German, Farsi, and Spanish. She resides in Los Angeles.

Maryam Mottahedeh

Maryam Mottahedeh is an Iranian American poet who is passionate about inner and outer freedom. Her path began with escaping the tensions of the Iran-Iraq war (in the ’80s) and her family life and migrating to Israel. In 1990 she moved to the States to encounter acceptance, abundance, healing and transformation. Her poetry narrates her colorful emotions and creativity on migration, women and love.

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Stephanie Satie

Stephanie Satie is an actor/playwright who has appeared on and off, Broadway, in regional theatres and in L.A.,  and on TV. Her two critically-acclaimed solo plays—Refugees, published by Samuel French, and Coming to America – transformations—were developed with grants from the LA Department of Cultural Affairs, California Council for the Arts and the California Council for the Humanities. Much of her work evolves out of interviews, and world events, especially with women who’ve transformed their lives in America. In addition to touring two solo shows, she teaches Literature and Writing at California State University, Northridge. Her non solo play, Leon’s Dictionary will be performed by Celebrity Play Readings at the West Side and West Hills JCCs in March. For Bookings contact Jeannine Frank: jeannine-at-frankentertainment.com.

Sheila Vossough

Sheila Vossough is an Iranian-American actress, comedian and producer who immigrated to the US with her family as a child at the onslaught of the 1979 revolution. She began a career of acting on stage for the Iranian community in 1998, graduated from the Ruskin School of Acting in 2003, a three year Meisner technique program in Santa Monica. More recently she studied with Lesly Kahn and at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Since 2004 to the present, she has been touring internationally, performing plays in Persian, with the Los Angeles based theatrical company, Workshop 79, spearheaded by famed Iranian playwright and director, Houshang Touzie. Her theater credits include: Farar-e Bozorg, Az Mahvareh ba Eshgh, and Matique, all of which toured internationally and were performed in Persian. She appeared as the emcee, along side Maryam Sayyad, and headlined as the stand-up comedian for the Festival of Peace, produced by Beyond Persia, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco in 2007. Her film credits include: Susan Miller, Liberation, Love Francesca, and Starwatch.

Sholeh Wolpé

Sholeh Wolpé is a poet, visual artist and playwright. She is the author of Sin—Selected Poems of Forugh Farrokhzad (University of Arkansas Press), The Scar Saloon (Red Hen Press),  Rooftops of Tehran (Red Hen Press, Jan. 2008), Shame (a play in three acts) and has a Poetry CD featuring poems read by the author to traditional Persian music (Refuge Studios). She is the associate editor of Words Without Border (Norton, 2010), the editor of The Atlanta Review– Iran Issue (2010), and her poems, translations, essays and reviews have appeared in scores of literary journals, periodicals and anthologies worldwide, and have been translated into several languages. Sholeh was born in Iran and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe and the U.S. , She holds Masters degrees in Radio-TV-Film (Northwestern University ) and Public Health (Johns Hopkins University ). She lives in Los Angeles.

Sunny Zia

Sunny Zia is the founder and chair of Humanity Unites, an Irvine-based humanitarian organization focused on building bridges of understanding and advocating community action and projects in support of causing peace and unity locally and globally. Ms. Zia is also the CEO of a Civil Engineering consulting and management firm based in Orange County. As an Iranian American raised both in the U.S. and Iran, and having lived through the Iran-Iraq war, the aftermath of the American hostage crisis, and the tragedies of “18 of Tir (Kooyeh Daneshgah)” in the 1999 University of Tehran uprisings, she believes that it is her duty to not only raise awareness about oppression but to transform it and work towards solutions. Her past efforts include working with inner city at-risk youth, with legislators in implementing policies advocating human rights, and on international relief efforts for Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, and Darfur. She is the recipient of local and congressional distinctions for her work in the U.S. & abroad.

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Free to the public, donations requested. Doors open at 7 pm. Open Bar.
Levantine Cultural Center
5998 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90035
one block east of Crescent Heights Blvd.
ample street parking

http://www.levantinecenter.org/

Related Posts:

1. Human Rights World Report 2010: Iran Targets Human Rights Messengers
2. Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from Iran
3. 1001 colors: Contemporary art from Iran

Countries where the political and security environment is particularly volatile, such as Yemen, Iran and Iraq rank at the bottom of the list. These countries face the challenge of establishing solid and transparent public institutions, with appropriate mechanisms for accountability: the essential elements for preventing and fighting corruption. Where these are absent, any kind of success is very difficult.

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.Interactive Map

Regional Highlights: Middle East and North Africa

With only six countries scoring 5 or above (out of 10), and 13 countries scoring below 5, the perception of corruption remains a serious problem in the Middle East and North Africa.

The poor results of the 2009 Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) reflect how conflict and political turmoil in the region seriously hamper the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts. The threat to political and institutional infrastructures partly explains the governance gap in the region while other factors such as lack of transparency, insecurity and oil wealth continue to fuel corruption.

Countries where the political and security environment is particularly volatile, such as Yemen, Iran and Iraq rank at the bottom of the list. These countries face the challenge of establishing solid and transparent public institutions, with appropriate mechanisms for accountability: the essential elements for preventing and fighting corruption. Where these are absent, any kind of success is very difficult.

Other countries, such as Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon are still perceived as highly corrupt despite the fact that corruption is openly addressed as a principal obstacle to development and the issue of enhancing integrity and accountability in the public and the private sectors is now being addressed. (This is also true for Palestine, although it is not included in the 2009 CPI.)

The 2009 index shows improvement in the scores of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, and Jordan. It remains to be seen whether this is due to increased political will to fight corruption or whether the negative effects of corruption are being masked by large surpluses, particularly in the oil and gas-rich Gulf states, which are fuelling rapid economic development. In the case of the UAE, one explanation for an improved score may be the increase in corruption cases
involving high-level executives, including UAE citizens, as well as the strengthening of the country’s Financial Audit Department.

The negative effects of the financial crisis have underscored the importance of improving governance across the region.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

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Corruption threatens global economic recovery, greatly challenges countries in conflict

Complete List, FAQ and Methodology

Source: transparency.org

Related Posts:

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3. Report: Global Gender Gap Index 2009

Following are examples of such banknotes, mostly written in green ink:

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1- V (for victory) stamp

2- Top: Plan to write 1 Billion slogans on bank notes.
Bottom: Bank notes without slogan is like saying no to spring (of green movement)

3- A re-write of a saying on the left side (Iranian people will find “knowledge’ no matter where – Prophet Muhammad) – Iranian people will find “justice” no matter where.

4- They stole oil money and give it to Chavez

5- Khamenei the non-believer is servant of Putin

6- Based on a kid’s poem – How is Iran doing? It’s full of sorrow, its oil is gone, took its gas to India, got China’s garbage, everything is imported, exports are forgotten, close down all local productions.

7- Cheater Khamenei and power-hungry Ahmadinejad

8- People’s enemy

9- Long live freedom

10- Don’t believe what a government says if that government is the only entity that has the right of expression. (by Ali Shariati, called ideologue of 1979 Iranian Revolution)

11- Top: Neda’s photo followed by death to dictator slogan.
Bottom: Logo of state media Voice and Vision of Islamic Republic with added swastika followed by “humiliated by our Voice and Vision”

12- Top: Death to Khamenei is crossed out/colored
Bottom: Shame can not be erased by crossing out/coloring

13- Blast from the past- A banknote from Shah’s administration is stamped by Islamic Republic to cover shah’s face.

Related Posts:

1. Posters: Students’ Day Nov. 4th 2009
2. Sohrab Aarabi ‘Freedom Warrior of Iran’ will be Memorialized in Bronze
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The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year.

In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States.

Just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don’t mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker.

Any personal data you provide is protected under federal law.

Here are the 10 questions:

1- How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010

2- Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Q1?

3- Is this house, apartment, or mobil home – owned, rented?

4- What is your telephone number?

5- Please provide information for each person living here? (First/Last names)

6- What is person 1’s sex?

7- What is person 1’s age and what is person’s 1’s date of birth?

8- Is person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?

9- What is Person 1’s race?

10- Does person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?

Race is key to implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitir compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. Race data are also used  to assess fairness of employment practices, to monitir racial disparities in characteristics such as health and education and to plan and obtain funds for public services.

Iranian American 2010 Census Project recommendation : Mark “x” in the box that states “some other race” and print “Iranian” or “Iranian American” underneath it.

Payvand: Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition Mobilizes
US Census: One of the shortest forms in history – 10 Questions in 10 Minutes

Related Posts:

1. Iran on top of 2009 Global Restriction on Religion Report
2. Human Rights World Report 2010: Iran Targets Human Rights Messengers
3. Global Erosion of Freedom and Iran’s negative trend

Iran Profile and Highlights

Click here to view the embedded video.

Link to complete PDF report

Related Posts:

1. Iran on top of 2009 Global Restriction on Religion Report
2. Iran Ranks 99 out of 140 in Global Peace Index 2009
3. Iran falls to 168 in Corruption Perception Index 2009

According to an unofficial Iranian state media, Fars, last year thousands of people gathered around the old US embassy walls that students scaled on November 4, 1979, chanting different slogans, including “Death to America”.

This year, the Green movement supporters also would like to participate (since there is no need to get permission to protest and be denied). Unlike last year Green posters says “Death to No One”, and have more messages of peace.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

1- Top: We are countless, Green Nov. 4th, You are the Media
Bottom: Long live my opposition

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

2- My Schoolmate (part of a famous revolutionary poem) Nov. 4th is our day.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

3- Nov. 4th Hope for a free Iran.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

4- Nov. 4th, Iranians scream peace with all countries of the world.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

5- Nov. 4th, A reference to Russia, no more Turkmenchay like Treaty

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

6- Death to no one, day of respect for other nations grows (goes green) on Nov. 4th.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

7- Top: 13 Aban, Nov. 4th demonstration, a note to remember to get green cloth.
Middle: Names of two people responsible for US embassy takeover.
Bottom: the word “and internal” added to “combating world/external Arrogance”, and the word “Green” added to “students’ day”.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

8- We’ll grow (go green) in Autumn.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

9- We are countless.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

10- Another green date in freedom seeking calendar of Iran.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

11- Green Nov. 4th; Independence, Freedom, Iranian Republic.
(image is a reference to The Conference of the Birds)

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

12- Nov. 4th; Not Western, Not Eastern, National Green Government.

Students' Day Posters Nov. 4th 2009

13- Nov. 4th Top: We’ll stay in the streets united.
Bottom: Teachers and employees of Tehran Education Ministry.

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