Iran: New government fails to address dire human rights situation

Six months after Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took up office as the country's new president, the human rights situation in Iran remains dire. This report addresses human rights violations which have occurred in that time and focuses on the steps taken by the authorities in response to widespread unrest among ethnic minorities, continuing repression of religious minorities; and continuing limitations on the rights to freedom of expression and association. It considers allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and the wide-ranging use of the death penalty and it recommends measures that should be taken by the Iranian authorities to address such abuses.