6 February 2010
Seven members of an Iranian human rights organization, the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, are being held in detention in Tehran. They are under pressure to "confess" to links with a banned opposition group, in which case they might face charges which can carry the death penalty. Three of the seven were among those arrested on a bus on its way to the funeral of a dissident cleric in December.
Seven members of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) have been detained since 30 November 2009 and are currently held in Evin Prison, Tehran. At least two of them, Kouhyar Goudarzi and Mehrdad Rahimi, have been accused of moharebeh (being at enmity with God), which can carry the death penalty, although they are not known to have been formally charged.
The CHRR has reported on human rights violations in Iran since 2006. The authorities have accused the CHRR of having links with the banned opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), which the CHRR denies. Mehrdad Rahimi told his family during a visit on 28 January that he was under pressure to make a televised “confession”. Amnesty International fears that any such “confessions” would pave the way to anyone involved with the CHRR being charged with moharebeh, which could put them at risk of execution.
The other five CHRR activists in Evin prison are Shiva Nazar Ahari, Saeed Kalanaki, Saeed Jalalifer, Sareed Haeri and Parisa Kakaei. Shiva Nazar Ahari is held in solitary confinement.. All are at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. They have all been denied access to a lawyer since their arrests. Two other members of the CHRR are in hiding.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, English, Arabic, French, or your own language:
n Calling on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the seven members of the CHRR, Kouhyar Goudarzi, Mehrdad Rahimi, Saeed Kalanaki, Saeed Jalalifar, Saeed Haeri, Parisa Kakaei, Shiva Nazar Ahari, as they are prisoners of conscience held solely for their peaceful human rights activities;
n Urging the authorities to ensure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment and are granted immediate and regular access to a lawyer, their families and any medical treatment they might require;
n Reminding the authorities that confessions extracted under duress are prohibited under Article 38 of the Constitution of Iran and by Article 14(g) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 19 MARCH 2010 TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info_leader@leader.ir
via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary in Tehran
Mr Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue, Corner of Ally 17, No 152
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir
Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei
And copies to:
Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
Bureau of International Affairs, Office of the Head of the Judiciary, Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com
Fax: + 98 21 5 537 8827 (please keep trying
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
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