{"id":6160,"date":"2019-01-10T18:57:05","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T15:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/?p=6160"},"modified":"2021-06-06T15:28:46","modified_gmt":"2021-06-06T12:28:46","slug":"torturing-labor-activist-economy-suffers-from-inflation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/monitoring-and-translation\/iran-in-a-week\/torturing-labor-activist-economy-suffers-from-inflation\/","title":{"rendered":"Torturing Labor Activist; Economy Suffers from Inflation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nTourism- a Currency Source Not Used in Iran<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe tourism industry is not only an economic activity, but also a significant source of non-oil income for governments. The editorial of Ghanoon daily mentions that despite Iran\u2019s existing resources and potentials in this regard, it has not managed to use them properly.
\nTourism is an appropriate economic tool that can help governments in removing their economic, political, and global dependence on selling raw materials and fossil fuels, such as, oil and gas. The volatility and fluctuations in oil and gas markets have affected most countries.
\nThe editorial continues with the point that Iran has significant tourism potential due to its geophysical and geopolitical nature, as well as, its mountains, forests, plains and seas. Iran also has a 7000-year old civilization and historical architecture. Iran is one of the most significant seven countries in the world with regard to tourism, but it has not been successful in attracting and developing this market.
\nBy paying attention to its non-oil economy \u2013 i.e. tourism industry \u2013 the government can create dynamism and productivity in Iran\u2019s economy. By developing its tourism industry, Iran\u2019s socio-economic problems can be addressed.
\nThe editorial mentions that given Iran\u2019s conditions, inviting domestic and foreign investors to construct the best standard hotels in the country, the government can create a revolution in Iran\u2019s tourism industry. The income, revenues, transaction levels, and employment generation of efficient forces in this sector will be the same as drilling and exploiting an oil well or a coal mine.
\n Ghanoon \u2013 January 9<\/a><\/p>\n

Dropping 4 Zeros from the National Currency is Wrong<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Setareh Sobh explains why dropping four zeros from the national currency is not only not helpful, but will create more confusion.
\nThe Central Bank\u2019s new bill to drop four zeros from Iran\u2019s national currency will have no impact on the country\u2019s economy. Countries, which are dealing with hyperinflation, take measures to create changes in the currency by removing the zeros. Dropping zeros from the national currency, when not needed, will merely increase miscalculations in the society.
\nThe editorial continues by mentioning that changes in the national currency requires years of development in Iran\u2019s banking and economic infrastructures. If the government does not monitor the prices, dropping four zeros from the national currency will result in increased prices.
\nThe government must take into account that such measures will put mental pressures on society, since people might make many miscalculations in paying their expenses. When Turkey took measures to drop zeros from its national currency, it had already started basic reforms in its own industry, had bolstered relations with the European Union, and was able to take its clothing industry to a global level. Iran\u2019s current conditions are not the same as Turkey.
\nThe editorial concludes by mentioning that today under conditions of stagnation, growing unemployment, sanctions and no program to develop internal economic and industrial infrastructures, dropping zeros from the national currency will not only hinder the economy, but will increase the problems.
\n Setareh Sobh \u2013 January 8<\/a><\/p>\n

Production Takes Steps Backward<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Jahan Sanat focuses on how the Iranian government\u2019s wrong approach to the issue of production has resulted in putting more pressures on the producers.
\nProducers only ask for minimum facilities from the government. Repeatedly, the problems of the production sector have been mentioned, but the government has paid no attention to them. Now the government is intent on paying loans with high interest rates, while paying off these loans has exhausted the production sector.
\nThe editorial goes on to say that producers are resolved to produce and create economic prosperity, but the government\u2019s short-term, profit-seeking approach has challenged this resolve. These steps backwards are due to banking system problems which have stalled the development of the production sector. If the government had faced the problems of the production sector more fairly, these problems would not have turned into crises.
\nToday the government is only thinking of offering facilities with high interest rates to compensate for its own deficit in the banking system. The capital to do business is provided by banks or the capital market throughout the world. Banks are responsible for the capital of small and medium-sized businesses; however, the capital market provides big business with capital. However, in Iran, this is in reverse: banks provide capital for big businesses and no money is left for small businesses.
\nThe editorial adds that by granting wrong loans to big businesses, banks have stalled the production sector\u2019s economic activities. Stagnation has taken over the production sector, making the government\u2019s duty heavier. The government has backed big businesses, ignoring small and medium-sized businesses.
\n Jahan Sanat \u2013 January 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Discrimination in Carrying out the Death Penalty<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe editorial of Mostaghel newspaper deals with the double standards in the Islamic Republic when it comes to carrying out the death penalty in two similar cases of economic corruption.
\nTwo individuals accused of corruption have a lot in common: Bagheri Darmani and Babak Zanjani. They were both involved in the oil sector and were both accessories in filming one of the Larijani brothers, Fazel Larijani [in a meeting secretly recorded, Fazel Larijani admitted to bribery and rent seeking]. They both believe that they are paying the price of that film. Nevertheless, how about their corruption and debts? Whereas Babak Zanjani owes roughly $3 billion to the the oil ministry, Bagheri Darmani was involved in defrauding the oil ministry, on a much lesser scale. Bagheri Darmani was executed, but Zanjani was not.
\nThe editorial continues that it all started in the fall of 2016 when Hassan Rouhani announced in a public speech that the judiciary had not handed over Babak Zanjani to the intelligence ministry. Then a year later, it has been said that Zanjani had hacked into emails of the oil ministry from prison. The question is did he do it by himself or did others do it for him?
\nBabak Zanjani\u2019s corruption is an endless story. At that time, the Attorney General had said that Zanjani\u2019s sentence would not be carried out, until all the money and asserts would be reimbursed. Yet, why wasn\u2019t the same argument used in the case Bagheri Darmani? Did he pay his debts to the oil ministry and banks before being executed?
\nIt seems that a part of the case is about a third person (probably Fazel Larijani) mentioned by Bagheri Darmani in the court. The first time Zanjani was about to be arrested in 2013, Bagheri Darmani took him to this individual so that he would save Zanjani after receiving 10 billion Tomans as a bribe.
\nThe editorial concludes with the death of Bagheri Darmani, who will be accountable for his debts? Why was Bagheri Darmani hurriedly executed, but Babak Zanjani was not?
\n Mostaghel\u2013 January 6<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n EU Imposes Sanctions on Iran over its Assassination Plots in Europe<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nDenmark\u2019s Foreign Minister announced that the European Union has agreed to impose sanctions against one of the intelligence entities of Iran for \u201cplotting assassination attack in Europe\u201d. Anders Samuelson wrote in his Twitter account, \u201cImportant day for European Foreign Policy! EU just agreed to enact sanctions against an Iranian Intelligence Service for its assassination plots on European soil. Strong signal from the EU that we will not accept such behavior in Europe.\u201d
\nThe move marks the first time the EU has imposed sanctions on Iran since lifting some sanctions on it three years ago after signing the nuclear deal.
\nWith new sanctions, the European Union will freeze assets of a unit of Iran\u2019s Intelligence Ministry and two of its staff \u2013 Saeed Hashemi Moghadam and Assadolah Assadi. Assadi was arrested in Germany for an attempt to plant a bomb at an opposition conference in Paris, and Hashemi Moghadam, the deputy Intelligence Minister, is accused of issuing the order to Assadi.
\nFrance, which has already put sanctions on these two men and the ministry unit, has announced that Iran\u2019s Intelligence Ministry was behind the failed attack.
\nAs the EU announced sanctions against the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, the Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said that the Iranian government is responsible for the killing of two Iranian dissidents living in the Netherlands.
\nIn response to the EU\u2019s measures, the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif counter accused the Europeans of \u201charboring MEK as well as other terrorists\u201d saying that \u201caccusing Iran won\u2019t absolve Europe of responsibility for harboring terrorists\u201d. The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson threatened the EU that Iran will reciprocate sanctions against Europeans.
\nFollowing Zarif\u2019s reaction to the EU\u2019s sanctions, the Iranian \u201creformist\u201d academic Sadegh Zibakalam wrote in his Twitter account that Zarif\u2019s reaction to the EU\u2019s allegations by accusing the Europeans of \u201charboring those whose hands are stained with the Iranian people\u2019s blood\u201d is not a response to the accusations but an evasion from answering the questions raised in this regard.
\nThe Islamic Republic is accused of assassinating many dissidents in European countries, particularly during the 1990s. In 1991, for example, the Islamic Republic\u203as agents killed its former prime minister in his home in France.
\n Radio Farda<\/a>
\n Fars news<\/a><\/p>\n

The Islamic Republic to File a Lawsuit against Tortured Labor Activist<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mahmoud Vaezi, the chief of staff to Iran\u2019s president, reacted to Esmaeil Bakhshi\u2019s claims that he was tortured, by saying, \u201cIntelligence Ministry and Iranian establishment are entitled to file a lawsuit against Esameil Bakhshi\u201d. He added that Bakhshi\u2019s claims question Iran\u2019s establishment. The Intelligence Ministry, in its report to the government, denied Bakhshi\u2019s claims.
\nEsameil Bakhshi, a worker of Haft Tapeh Sugarcane Factory was arrested during the labor protests in the southern city of Shush. He said that he was severely tortured in prison physically and mentally. Esmaeil Bakhshi was taken into custody on November 18 and was imprisoned for 25 days by Iran\u2019s Intelligence Ministry.
\nBakhshi later held Iran\u2019s Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi accountable for what happened to him in jail, urging him to participate in a \u201clive debate on TV\u201d to answer questions about his case.
\nOn his Instagram page, Bakhshi wrote that he was beaten up and tortured \u201cwithout any reasons\u201d in a way that he could not move for 72 hours in his cell. \u201cToday, almost two months have passed since that excruciating day, but I still feel pain in my broken ribs, kidneys, left ear and testicles,\u201d Bakhshi wrote. This worker added that he is still suffering from severe anxiety attacks despite the medication that he is taking in this regard. Esmaeil Bakhshi also pointed out that the torturers\u2014who called themselves as \u201cunknown soldiers of the Twelfth Imam\u201d\u2014shouted sexual obscenities at him.
\nAccording to Bakhshi\u2019s lawyer, Farzaneh Zilabi, her client has been under growing pressure to retract his accusations.
\nIran is accused of using torture and other forms of ill-treatment against political detainees for various reasons such as coerced confessions.
\nAli Motahari, the deputy Speaker of Parliament, said if Bakhshi\u2019s claims are true, it is a \u201ccause for shame\u201d for the government, urging that this issue must be followed up to the end.
\nIn the meantime, 34 student groups in a letter to the Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi have called for a debate and have announced readiness to host the event.
\nIn recent months, Iranian workers have held extensive assemblies in the country, especially in the Khuzestan province in protest to their unpaid wages and other union demands. Several other workers are still in detention.
\nBBC Persian<\/a>
\nTabnak<\/a><\/p>\n

Iran to Knock Four Zeros off Its Currency<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Central Bank of Iran submitted a bill to the government, proposing to remove four zeros from the national currency. The Central Bank Governor, Abdolnaser Hemati, announced presenting the bill to the government, hoping that the bill will be soon ratified.
\nThe bill is submitted as inflation in Iran has increased under the US sanctions and the national currency has significantly lost its value. Iran hopes to decrease rampant inflation and bolster its national currency by the bill.
\nEconomists and experts do not believe that this measure by itself can solve the problem of inflation. Economist Fereydoun Khavand commented that dropping zeros from the national currency will be effective only if the factors responsible for deteriorating the country\u2019s economy are removed. According to Khavand, Iran\u2019s national currency has significantly lost its purchasing power during the past decade, and what is more important is to regain the value of the national currency.
\nMeanwhile, the Iranian economy is suffering more under the US sanctions and pressures. Mohammad Javad Larijani, the deputy Chief Justice in International Affairs, said no significant European, American or Canadian company is ready to invest extensively or to transfer technology to Iran.
\nThe Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs and Trading, Amir Hossein Zamaninia, admitted to the US success in putting pressure on main buyers of Iran\u2019s oil, saying that the eight countries that have waivers from the U.S. to continue buying oil from Iran refuse to increase their purchases. He added those countries do not buy \u201ceven one additional barrel of oil beyond their waiver due to U.S. pressure and leverage.\u201d
\nThe Iranian Parliament\u2019s Research Center warned against the \u201cunleashed inflation\u201d in Iran by the end of the Iranian year (ending in March). The Center\u2019s report mentioned that the volume of liquidity has increased from 506 thousand billion Tomans in 2013 to more than 1,672 thousand billion Tomans, a tripling of the liquidity level during the above-mentioned period.
\nThe statistics by the Ministry of Road and Urban Development show that the condition of housing in Tehran has become much worse than the last year, with a 53.1% drop in housing deals and housing prices show a 91% increase. Those involved in the housing market have predicted a much deeper stagnation in the market by the end of the Iranian year.
\nThe Iranian Parliament\u2019s Research Center has predicted that economic growth will be between minus 2.6 to minus 5.5 percent for 2018-2019.
\n Tasnim news<\/a>
\nRFI<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tourism- a Currency Source Not Used in Iran The tourism industry is not only an economic activity, but also a significant source of non-oil income for governments. The editorial of Ghanoon daily mentions that despite Iran\u2019s existing resources and potentials in this regard, it has not managed to use them properly. Tourism is an appropriate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[2954,308,1376,2953,2955,2952,2951],"class_list":["post-6160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-iran-in-a-week","tag-activist","tag-economy","tag-inflation","tag-labor","tag-suffers","tag-torturing","tag-torturing-labor-activist-economy-suffers-from-inflation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6160"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9351,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6160\/revisions\/9351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rasanah-iiis.org\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}