Q: What is the objective of the IHRDC?

A: The IHRDC was established to objectively and systematically document human rights violations committed in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 revolution. It believes that creation of an authoritative and accessible record of such abuses is essential for peaceful democratic rule. Documentation of abuses and their proper legal analysis will help raise public awareness of accountability and rule of law, and promote it as an important aspect of building a civil society in Iran.

Q: Who established the IHRDC and who are its directors?

A: The IHRDC was founded in 2004 by an international group of human rights advocates, scholars, and lawyers concerned with promoting accountability and civil society in Iran. The members of the IHRDC’s Board of Directors are internationally recognized both for their professional accomplishments and their long-standing commitment to respect for human rights.

Q: Why does the IHRDC not document human rights violations perpetrated before 1979?

A: The IHRDC does not deny or condone any serious human rights violations that may have occurred prior to the 1979 revolution. It also acknowledges that such a division is artificial, and where appropriate, includes pre-revolutionary Iran in its analyses. However, the IHRDC’s principal activities are focused on affecting the contemporary human rights situation in Iran. It is hoped that an impartial investigation and exposure of past human rights violations by the current government based on objective legal criteria will have a positive influence on the development of civil society and a culture of human rights in Iran.

Q: How do you gather documents and testimony from Iran?

A: The IHRDC gathers documents and testimony from people and organizations both in Iran and abroad. Because of the large number of Iranians living abroad, a considerable amount of evidence may be gathered without putting witnesses and others in Iran at risk. The evidence of human rights violations received from Iran is through persons or organizations that voluntarily approach the IHRDC. In all cases, confidentiality of sources and witness protection is a central policy in the IHRDC’s investigations.

Q: How can I report evidence of a human rights violation committed in Iran?

A: Persons with credible documents or testimony concerning serious human rights violations committed by Iranian government officials, or persons acting under their control, may contact the IHRDC through e-mail, post or telephone. Testimony and documents may be sent through a secure portal on this website.

Q: Is the IHRDC a US government project?

A: No. The IHRDC is an autonomous civil society initiative by a group of recognized human rights scholars, activists, and lawyers, both Iranian and non-Iranian. Although one of its funders is the US Human Rights and Democracy Fund, the IHRDC is fully independent and does not take any instructions from or act on behalf of the US or any other government. Furthermore, beyond the documentation of human rights abuses and promotion of accountability based on international law, the IHRDC does not support any particular governmental policies or participate in any political activities.

Q: Where does the IHRDC accept funding from? How does it account for these funds?

A: The IHRDC accepts funding for human rights promotion from governments, non-governmental organizations, and private persons. It does not accept any funding that is tied to a particular political party or faction, or which requires support for a particular governmental policy, or which otherwise compromises the IHRDC’s independence in the conduct of its mission. The IHRDC is a nonprofit organization registered under the laws of the United States, provides regular and transparent reports of its expenditures, and is subject to external auditing as required by relevant laws and regulations

Q: How does the IHRDC determine what a “human rights violation” is? What is the difference between a human rights violation and a crime against humanity?

A: The IHRDC determines what constitutes a serious human rights violation based on international law as contained in long-standing declarations and treaties including the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These contain fundamental norms - including the prohibition against arbitrary executions, torture, and discrimination – that are binding on all members of the international community, including Iran. When violations such as murder, torture, rape, unlawful imprisonment, disappearances, or persecutions on religious, ethnic, or political grounds, are committed on a widespread or systematic basis, or as part of governmental policy, they may constitute crimes against humanity, as defined under article 7 of the 1998 Rome statute of the International Criminal Court.

Q: What does the IHRDC do with its evidence of human rights violations?

A: The IHRDC has created an archive of all documents gathered and a large portion of those are available to the public in the Aadel Database, accessible through this website. The IHRDC also uses documents in its thematic case studies of human rights violations. Large numbers of human rights documents may allow a pattern of violations to be established, including widespread or systematic violations amounting to crimes against humanity.

Q: Is the IHRDC affiliated with any political groups?

A: No. The IHRDC is strictly non-partisan and is not affiliated with any political groups whether inside or outside Iran. The narrow focus of the IHRDC is to gather evidence of serious human rights violations and to analyze the accumulated evidence under international human rights law, and Iranian law in some circumstances. As such, the IHRDC is not opposed to the government of Iran and does not seek any direct change in the government apart from promoting strict adherence to human rights norms and the rule of law.

Q: Is it the “right time” to talk about human rights in Iran?

A: Yes. Respect for fundamental human rights is always a concern. However, in view of the dramatic growth of civil society in Iran, promotion of human rights and accountability is particularly timely at this juncture. An objective historical record of human rights violations and responsibility for such abuses of power is essential for national reconciliation, and a meaningful and peaceful transformation of political culture and institutions

Q: How can I work for the IHRDC?

A: The IHRDC welcomes expressions of interest and applications from qualified candidates wishing to contribute to accountability and the rule of law in Iran, especially those with Persian language fluency. Other than legal skills, candidates with experience in documentation, translation, management, development, and public relations are desired.

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