160 Journalists, Bloggers, and Civil Activists Demand Kaveh Kermanshahi’s Release

160 journalists, bloggers, and civil activists write an open letter to Iran’s Judiciary Chief:

Release Kaveh Kermanshahi Immediately

Your Excellency, Ayatollah Larijani,

Honourable Head of Judiciary,

Kaveh Ghasemi Kermanshahi, journalist and human rights activist who has been in prison since February 3rd, 2010, is under severe physical and psychological pressures to confess to the allegation of “espionage.”

Kaveh Kermanshahi has been detained in solitary confinement for more than 70 days and his lawyer has not been able to meet with him or access his file.

Let us share with you some activities Kaveh Kermanshahi has been involved with: Kermanshahi has studied law and has defended the rights of Kurdish citizens and demands equality for Iranian women. His activities were conducted openly and in a peaceful and reasonable manner.

Kermanshahi’s activities concentrate on the civil human rights of [Iranians] and the freedoms clearly expressed in Iran’s constitution and international conventions. His activities were so clear cut that he would send a copy of all his human rights actions to the security and judicial organizations; no matter if it was a criticism, protest, or request. Kermanshahi has entered negotiations and discussions with officials many times on issues pertaining to human rights or saving the life of a prisoner on death row. Kaveh Kermanshahi’s activities are centered around human rights and the civil society; he has never engaged in any particular political activity. He is respected and trusted among other human rights and civil activists in Iran. Putting him under pressure to extract a confession to espionage has raised grave concern among citizens, friends, and human rights activists.

Even though a clear definition of being a spy is not given in Iranian law, based on some sections of the law, a spy is a person who gathers classified military, economical, and political documents and information with the intention of sending to hostile countries.

What kind of classified information did Kaveh Kermanshahi have access to that publishing the information can be interpreted as espionage for foreigners? Is reporting in an unbiased manner on the conditions of prisoners of conscious, taking efforts to save the lives of other human beings, demanding peace and equality, and insisting on adherence to the constitution and international human rights conventions considered espionage? What kind of spy sends a copy of all his activities to the judicial and security institutions and enters discussions with these organizations?

Putting pressure on Kaveh Kermanshahi to accept the espionage charge is unacceptable and has raised public concern. The presence of renowned activists like Kaveh Kermanshahi among society is vital. Intimidating independent human rights activists, smothering their voice, and interrupting the free flow of information leads to nowhere and is non-beneficial for society and the ruling establishment.

We are a group of civil activists, journalists, and bloggers who are expressing our deepest concern over Kaveh Kermanshahi’s physical and psychological state. We consider any pressure exerted on him inhumane and illegal.

We request from you, as the head of the Judiciary, not to allow the persecution of human rights activists. It is unacceptable that those responsible for the Kahrizak tragedy and the murderers of Kianoosh Asa, Neda Agha Soltan, and Sohrab Arabi are still free; while human rights activists who have not committed a crime are immediately arrested under a bogus pretext, and then must spend months in solitary confinement and finally face charges of Moharabeh [enmity against God] and Espionage.

We, the undersigned, request security pressures on Kaveh Ghasem Kermanshahi to halt and [demand] his immediate and unconditional release.