Iran Weekly News Report: 1/30-2/5

(Freedom Messenger)

Human Rights:

* As Iran prepares for its upcoming elections, it has intensified its crackdown on journalists and online activists. The regime has used brutal tactics to illicit confessions from these activists as well as foreign journalists.
* In regards to workers rights, train drivers are currently on strike, while labor activists are arrested throughout Iran.
* Iran has increased its rate of executions once again, ruling that “market disrupters” as well as individuals who traffic, produce, or buy over 30 grams of shishe will be executed by hanging.

News on the Regime:

* Ahmadinejad proposes tightened budgets amid mounting sanctions.
* Iran increases military spending while increasing threats to other countries.
* In nuclear news, visiting U.N. inspectors did not visit any of the country’s nuclear sites while in Iran.

International:

* Iran supports Russian and Chinese veto on Syria resolution. As the Iranian regime continues to support its ally Syria, demonstrators have stormed five Syrian embassies in Europe and the Middle East after Syrian forces killed hundreds in Homs.

Political Prisoner Watch:

* As always, the Iranian regime continues to arrest political activists. Three university students have been arrested this week, and one Internet activist has been sentenced to death.
* A critically ill political prisoner has been denied minimum medical treatment, as Hooman Fakhar was released on $14000 bail.