Program areas at U4i
Safe Activism and CampaignsSafe Activism: Reducing the Risks and Impact of Arrest grew out of U4Is work with activists in Iran facing arrest, arbitrary detention, and violence at the hands of the Islamic Republic for their peaceful civic and political activism. Interviews with over 30 former Iranian activists were used to identify essential tactics to avoid arrest, incrimination and imprisonment. Safe Activism delivers information in multiple ways, including video, infographics, and booklets.
Gershad, an award-winning mobile app, allows Iranians to report on morality police, serving as an early warning system. Since its 2016 launch, public discourse on compulsory hijab in Iran has shifted significantly. Women's rights groups like My Stealthy Freedom have raised awareness. With 150,000+ downloads and global media coverage, Gershad raised awareness on women's rights. Efforts are made to reinvigorate Gershad by building its user community and enhancing features for government accountability. Focus is on community building to strengthen user-base and increase reliable reporting. Reports and analysis based on crowdsourced data will enhance transparency on human rights violations. Collaboration aims to improve user experience and counter censorship. Peer-to-peer functionality will be integrated to counter internet disruptions. The iOS app will be enhanced to reach more users impacted by the morality police.
Under Judicial SpotlightU4I works under the primary objective of addressing human rights abuses globally, where fundamental rights are threatened; open political space in struggling or nascent democracies and countries ruled by authoritarian regimes; support civil society activists worldwide; and protect at-risk populations, including women, religious minorities, disabled, indigenous, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people. This objective is achieved mostly through support and expanding one of U4Is longest running projects: the Iran Prison Atlas (IPA). IPA is a dynamic database that tracks and publicizes the prosecution and imprisonment of Irans political prisoners. In addition, U4I facilitates efforts across the globe to enable successful and sustained transitions to democracies where civil and political rights are respected, there is a process for transitional justice, accountability and reconciliation.