Faysal Noori
Faysal Noori is a Kurdish human rights defender and mathematics teacher from Ravansar. He is an active member of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Trade Association, involved in union activities and teachers’ advocacy. Because of his role in organising, participating in elections for the teachers’ trade union, and taking part in protest gatherings, he has been subjected to severe disciplinary measures.
In August 2025, the Appeals Board for Administrative Violations of the Ministry of Education issued a ruling exiling him for five years to Kermanshah Province. In October 2025, Faysal Noori was summoned for a second time by the Ministry of Education’s Administrative Violations Board, along with a group of other educators. His case remains under review by the Administrative Court of Justice.
Hope for political reform in Iran surfaced when President Hassan Rouhani assumed office in 2013 and dozens of opposition political figures and human rights defenders were released. However, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement of HRDs continue to be prevalent.
Human rights defenders and journalists are arrested, detained and prosecuted in unfair trials. HRDs continue to receive death threats and are subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention. They are refused bail or receive extreme bail conditions. HRDs are additionally subjected to systematic surveillance and their family members are targeted. Journalists have been subjected to flogging for criticising the government.
