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“The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop”
Arseh Sevom joined over 60 organizations in calling for a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to address the mass killings of protesters in […]
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
Arseh Sevom in 2017: Letter from the President of the Board
People in Iran keep surprising us with their creative efforts for change. They keep standing up and shaking things up – even in the face of overwhelming punishment. Women stand up for their rights even when faced with outrageous punishments. Teachers demand di
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
Iran — Fearing the Tyrant Not the Change
Arseh Sevom–The final post of a three-part series summarizing the Hivos report, The Green Movement: Seizing the State or Democratizing Society, examines the long struggle for democracy in Iran and the stunted growth of its civil society. Editor Shervin Nekuee
The Green Movement and Avoiding Violent Opposition
Arseh Sevom–The presence of women in the public demonstrations of the Green Movement before and after Iran’s 2009 presidential elections was undeniable. They were on the front lines, in public, advocating for change. Their voices were strong during the nightly
What is the Green Movement Dreaming About?
Arseh Sevom — In a recent Hivos report examining Iran’s Green Movement since the 2009 presidential campaign until now, researchers and activists reflect on different aspects of the movement. This is the first of several posts summarizing the content of the rep
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