Case No Country IRN 20/2015 29/10/2015 Iran (Islamic JUA Republic of) BHR 6/2015 30/10/2015 Bahrain JAL Mandate(s) Cultural Rights; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Health; Human rights defenders; Independence of judges and lawyers; Iran; Torture; Violence against women; Cultural Rights; Extreme poverty; Freedom of religion; Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply Alleged arbitrary detention, sentencing to flogging and subjecting human rights activists 04/03/2016 16/03/2016 to a virginity test. According to the information received, Ms. Fatemeh Ekhtesari was sentenced to over 11 years in prison for her collection of poetry. Mr. Mehdi Moosavi was sentenced to six years in prison for his poetry. Ms. Atena Farghadani was sentenced to over twelve years for a cartoon. All three were also charged with “illegitimate sexual relationship short of adultery” for shaking hands with a non-relative of the opposite sex. Ms. Ekhtesari and Mr. Moosavi were sentenced to ninety-nine lashes. Ms. Farghadani has not been sentenced but has already been subjected to forced virginity and pregnancy testing. Ms. Narges Mohammadi, a prominent Iranian rearrested 5 May 2015, has been subjected to harassment and deprived of necessary medical care. Ms Farghadani and Ms Mohammadi have been the subjects of seven previous communications, the most recent of which was sent 4 June 2015, see above, case no. IRN 6/2015. 25/12/2015 Alleged patterns of continuous discrimination against Shia citizens, including through 01/02/2016 cultural, economic, educational and social government policies in Bahrain since 2011. According to the information received, peaceful protestors and other Shia citizens have experienced excessive use of force during and after the protests of 2011, with Shia religious clergy being particularly targeted. Government violence has also led to the destruction of many Shia mosques and sites of religious and cultural significance and of other signs of Shia presence in the country. The official historical narrative which systematically undermines the role of Baharna and Shia religious and cultural heritage in the country is also promoted in the official school curricula and media. Shia citizens allegedly also experience discrimination in access to citizenship, public sector employment and government social policies, particularly housing and welfare programs, making them more vulnerable to poverty. Various aspects of this situation, including the destruction of two mosques and withdrawal of citizenship, have already been raised in previous communications sent on 5 may 2011, see A/HRC/18/51, case no. BHR 8/2011, and on 29 November 2012, see A/HRC/23/51, case no. BHR 12/2012. A/HRC/32/53 108 Date Type