Iran: Rohani urged to withdraw cabinet nominee implicated in abuses
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran: Rohani urged to withdraw cabinet nominee implicated in abuses, 8 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/521f462c14.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 08, 2013
By RFE/RL
Nominee for interior minister Mostafa Purmohammadi speaks to lawmakers in parliament in Tehran (archive photo)
Human rights groups have urged new Iranian President Hassan Rohani to immediately withdrawal his nominee for justice minister, Mostafa Purmohammadi.
Human Rights Watch (HRW), Reporters Without Borders, and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said on August 8 that Purmohammadi has been implicated in abuses that may constitute crimes against humanity.
HRW has documented Purmohammadi's alleged involvement in the extrajudicial executions of thousands of political prisoners and assassinations of prominent dissident intellectuals in the 1980s.
"As justice minister he could play a role in influencing investigations into human rights abuses," HRW said in a statement.
Purmohammadi served twice as deputy intelligence minister and was interior minister during former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's first term.
Rohani presented the list of his nominees for cabinet posts to the Iranian parliament during his inauguration ceremony on August 4.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
