Student Activist Expelled for “Disobedience”

According to a source who spoke to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, women’s rights and student activist Setareh Elyasi has been expelled from university.

The Disciplinary Committee of the University of Cultural Heritage, where Elyasi defended her master’s thesis in Curatorial Studies in December 2009, issued several serious warnings for her student activities. The Committee accused her of disobedience and causing disorder in school.

Elyasi has been waiting to obtain her diploma since her 2009 thesis defense. The source told the Campaign that although she completed all of her required courses, university officials declined to grade her thesis.

Instead of receiving her degree, university officials informed Elyasi’s family of her expulsion over the phone. The officials did not provide any written document.

When Elyasi’s father went to the university, officials claimed they did not know who had contacted them but top authorities sanctioned her dismissal. He was told to return to the university to take required administrative steps.

Previously, authorities had arrested Elyasi’s father and held him in prison for one month. He had to provide a written oath to turn his children in when they returned to Iran from vacation. Safoura Elyasi, Elyasi’s sister, is a student activist and member of the Advocacy Council for the Right to Education.

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran