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Enduring Shadows of Trauma: Understanding the Impact of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Repression on Victims Inside and Outside Iran
Trauma is a psychological response to one or more events that pose a threat to life or cause severe stress. When a society collectively experiences trauma—whether through war, political repression, or social instability—the psychological effects extend beyond
Collective Trauma as an Obstacle to Democracy in Iran
The Iranian government’s long history of systematic repression has deeply traumatized its people, creating significant barriers to democratic change. Since the 1979 Revolution, state-induced violence—including mass executions, political purges, and suppression
I <3 Norooz
Norooz (Nowruz) marks the beginning of a new year for people in Iran and the region. While the year changes at the moment of the Equinox, the holidays last for fourteen days.
The First Day of School in Iran: You Can’t Say “That”
At the end of September, children all over Iran begin their first day of school. It’s an exciting time, filled with hope and the promise of new friends and new experiences. For many children it’s also about learning how different the world of the family is fro
The Day I Became a Feminist
Arseh Sevom–Feminism is essentially the idea that women and men should have equal rights and opportunities. “The notion of freedom for men is not reality in Iran as long as women are not equal” Safoura Elyasi writes. She spoke to several Iranian male activists
Nasrin Sotoudeh: Equality Will Prevail
Arseh Sevom — In this exclusive interview with Arseh Sevom editor Mohammad Reza Sardari, human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh discusses the very personal impact of her struggle for equality and justice. She tells of a young son who lost his childhood. “I grew u
What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding in the #CyrusCylinder
The Cyrus Cylinder preserves a proclamation from Cyrus the Great which has been called the first declaration of human rights. Hirad Abtahi, first legal adviser of the Presidency of the International Criminal Court, examines the proclamation in a recently publi
A Letter to My Torturer
In a bit of political drama, Saeed Mortazavi was arrested on February 7 and held for 24 hours. This came after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad played a tape […]
Iran: Bill Before Parliament Would Smother NGOs
The Main Shortcomings of the Non-Governmental Organizations Bill Arseh Sevom – In 2010, Arseh Sevom published a report on the Non-Governmental Organizations Bill, Legalizing the Murder […]