It says Teheran uses harsh prison conditions, arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, infringement on citizens' privacy and restrictions of speech, press, assembly, association, religion and movement. The report adds that the government manipulates the electoral system and represses political dissidents. It notes, however, that the election of Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami, a moderate, was not disputed.
Women are openly discriminated against, says the U.S. report.
A woman's testimony in an Iranian court is worth only half that of a man, making it difficult for a woman to prove a case against a male. In addition, the families of female victims of violent crime reportedly must pay the assailant's court costs. It says that although domestic violence is known to occur, little is known about its extent because abuse in the family is considered a private matter. The report says there are no official statistics. There are a number of agencies to impose internal security in Iran, says the U.S. report, with the largest being the Revolutionary Guards.