November 1998, Week 3

Panel Concerned Over Rights in Iran

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- A U.N. committee adopted a resolution Wednesday expressing concern over Iran's continuing viola tion of human rights, including the use of torture, stoning and amputation. The U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee also noted Iran's discrimination against religious minorities, in p articular ``the unabated pattern of persecution'' against the Bahai community, including executions. The resolution called on the Iranian government to ensure that capital punishment is only imposed for the most serious crimes, and also called for religious tolerance. The vote for the resolution was 63-35, with 60 abstentions. The United States voted for it, and most Middle East count ries abstained or voted against. The resolution, which is not legally binding, now goes to the full General Assembly f or a vote. Iran's moderate President Mohammad Khatami has talked of strengthening freedom of expression and creating a ``civil so ciety.'' But Maurice Copithorne, the U.N. special representative on the situation of human rights in Iran, told the committee e arlier this month there have been worrying signs that conditions were slipping backward. He said reformers, political dissidents and commentators were detained under unacceptable circumstances, and in some c ases the individuals have disappeared. The resolution also expressed concern at the arbitrary closure of some publications and persecution of writers and jou rnalists.

Iranian National Team announced by IFF

From: Iran Sports Net The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) has announced the names of twenty five players for the Iranian National Team. The players include: Nima Nakisa, Behzad Gholampour, Parviz Boromand, Nader Mohammadkhani, Javad Zarincheh, Mohammad Khakpour, Mohammad Navazi, Ali Janmaleki, Satar Hamadani, Ali Karimi, Dariush Yazdani, Mohammad Fakri, Alireza Mansourian, Ali Mousavi, Vahid Hashemi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Ali Daei, Mehdi Pashazadeh, Rasoul Khatibi, Mohammad Barzgar, Mehrdad Minavand, Karim Bagheri, Mehdi Hasheminasab, Farhad Majidi, Alireza Neekbakhtvahedi. The IFF has taken disciplinary action against Khodadad Azizi and has been excluded from the list. Sources say that Azizi had challenged the authority of the Coaching staff on numerous occasions (as far back as the World Cup in France). Other players from the past who have been excluded are: Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, Hamid Estili, Reza Shahroudi, Afshin Payrovanni, Naeem Sadavi, and Cyrus Deanmohammadi. The IFF will cross of an additional 5 players from the list before departing to Thailand for Asian Games. Ahmadreza Abedzadeh has been excluded due to knee injury which requires surgery. Although Gholampour does not have a good record (World Cup '94 qualifications), its an excellent opportunity for Nima Nakisa to prove his capabilities to Iranian coaches and foreign clubs.   Iran's last victory in the Asian Games was in 1990 in Beijing, China. A counter attack goal by Cyrus Ghayeghran (God Bless) against South Korea put Iran in the final against North Korea. Iran defeated North Korea in penalty shootout and won the Asian Games. Iranian National Team 1990 celebrated victory against North Korea. Medals were presented by Asian Olympic Committee (AOC) to Iranian players.

Iranian media urged to be more transparent

BBC World Service The president of Iran, Mohamad Khatami, has called on state broadcasters to avoid bias and show more transparency in their reports. Speaking at the opening of a new broadcasting centre, he warned that people would turn to other so urces of information if Iran's broadcasters failed to provide balanced news. Mr Khatami said one-sided praise of government policies had a negative effect and was an insult to people's intelligence. He added that news of secondary importance, such as praise for an individual official, should also not be broadcast at the expense of major international stories. Mr Khatami said he himself preferred not to be shown on television if there were more important st ories.