Despite Masoumeh Hamidan having no political activities, security institutions target the relatives of activists abroad to exert pressure on them.
Iran Human Rights Society, Wednesday, 28 Khordad 1404 (June 18, 2025) – Amid the ongoing wave of arrests and security pressures, Masoumeh Hamidan, an Arab citizen from Ahvaz, was summoned on Monday, 26 Khordad 1404 (June 16, 2025), by the intelligence unit affiliated with security institutions in Ahvaz. During her interrogation, she faced threats and intimidation. This summons occurred as the security atmosphere in Khuzestan Province, particularly in Ahvaz, has significantly intensified in recent days.
According to informed sources, security agents emphasized during the interrogation that Masoumeh Hamidan must refrain from leaving the city limits of Ahvaz. These imposed restrictions, without any judicial order or legal justification, clearly violate the freedom of movement and basic citizenship rights.
History of Security Pressures on Masoumeh Hamidan
Masoumeh Hamidan, 38 years old, single, and a high school graduate, has been repeatedly interrogated and threatened by security institutions in recent years solely due to the political activities of her brother, Saeed Hamidan, who operates outside Iran.
Despite Masoumeh Hamidan having no political involvement, security institutions target the relatives of activists abroad to pressure them. This practice, which has intensified in recent years, is a clear violation of human rights and an unlawful exertion of pressure on the families of political activists.
New Wave of Arrests in Ahvaz
Concurrent with this summons, human rights sources have reported a significant increase in widespread arrests in Ahvaz and other cities in Khuzestan Province. In recent days, following heightened regional tensions after Israel’s attack, dozens of Arab citizens and civil activists have been summoned and interrogated by the Intelligence Agency and the IRGC Intelligence Organization due to their social media activities.
Reports indicate that some of these individuals were subjected to physical assault during detention and are being held in security detention centers without access to legal counsel. Additionally, the families of these detainees remain completely uninformed about their loved ones’ fate, and their inquiries to responsible institutions have gone unanswered.
Suppression of Relatives of Political Activists; Clear Violation of Human Rights
Security pressures on the relatives of political activists abroad are a common tactic used by the Islamic Republic to create an atmosphere of fear and suppression. These actions are a blatant violation of human rights and Iran’s international obligations regarding citizens’ rights.
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, the treatment of Masoumeh Hamidan and other detained citizens violates the following:
Article 9, Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.
Article 12, Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence, nor to attacks upon their honor and reputation.
Article 13, Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
Article 19, Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 10, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
Article 14, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal.
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