Further Information on UA 60/09 (MDE 13/016/2009, 04 March 2009) Fear of torture and other ill-treatment

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/028/2009 1 April 2009

Further Information on UA 60/09 (MDE 13/016/2009, 04 March 2009) Fear of torture and other ill-treatment

IRAN Sanaz Allahyari (f) All students
Nasim Roshana’i (f)
Maryam Sheikh (f)
Amir Hossein Mohammadi-Far (m)
New name: Mohammad Pour Abdollah (m)

Sanaz Allahyari and Amir Hossein Mohammadi-Far were released on 19 March 2009. It is not known whether they have been released under any conditions. In a statement on its website, the Students for Freedom and Equality (Daneshjouyan-e Azadi Khah va Beraber Talab), a students’ rights body, stated that they had been ill-treated during their 18 days of detention. The students' rights body reported that at the time of their release the students had signs of bruising and breathing difficulties possibly caused by beating they received while in detention.

Maryam Sheikh and Nasim Roshana’i remain in detention in Evin Prison where they continue to be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

The four students were arrested on 1 March, possibly in connection with a demonstration held on 23 February, at Amir Kabir University to protest against the government burying the remains of soldiers killed during the Iran-Iraq war between 1980 and 1988 on university campuses.

The details of the arrest of a fifth student, said to be linked to the Students for Freedom and Equality (Daneshjouyan-e Azadi Khah va Beraber Talab) student body, have emerged. Mohammad Pour Abdollah, a Tehran University student was detained at his house on 12 February 2009. Reports suggest that he was held for one month in solitary confinement at Evin Prison in Tehran and then transferred on 18 March 2009 to Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, west of Tehran. He was detained there in a section of the prison reserved to individuals convicted of serious crimes. He was reportedly later moved to the quarantined section of the prison for inmates with infectious diseases. On 21 March, Iran’s Norouz, or New Year, his mother and father sat in front of the prison for several hours in the hope they would be granted permission to see their son.

In the presence of the prosecutor working on his case, Mohammad Pour Abdollah’s parents were allowed to have a meeting with him during the last week of March. His parents have written an open letter to the Head of the Judiciary, calling for their son, to be released.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since December there have been waves of arbitrary arrests and harassment, particularly directed against members of Iran's religious and ethnic minorities, students, trade unionists and women's rights activists. These measures may in part be intended to stifle debate and to silence critics of the authorities in advance of the presidential election in June 2009.

More than 70 students were arrested on 23 February during a peaceful demonstration held by students at Tehran’s Amir Kabir University in protest at the government’s burial on campus of soldiers’ remains

The burial of the unknown soldiers on the university campus has widely been seen as a move by the government to seek to control student groups opposed to its policies. Burial of soldiers, called martyrs on account of their sacrifice in fighting against Iraqi forces, appears to enable non-students to enter the campus without being required to show evidence that they are students, a normal requirement for access to university premises. Students groups fear that the presence of the graves would allow unrestricted access to the campuses by security forces, including the Basij mobilization forces who are under the control of the Revolutionary Guards.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, English or your own language:
- calling on the authorities to ensure that Nasim Roshana’i, Maryam Sheikh and Mohammad Pour Abdollah are protected against torture or other ill-treatment and are allowed immediate access to their family, legal representation and any medical attention that they may require;
- seeking specific details of the reasons for their arrest and any charges they may be facing and urging that they be released immediately if they are not charged with a recognizably criminal offence and brought to trial promptly and fairly;
- noting that if any of the students are held solely on account of the peaceful expression of their views or the exercise of their right to freedom of assembly, then they are prisoners of conscience, and should be released immediately and unconditionally.
APPEALS TO:
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: shahroudi@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:
Head of Judiciary for Tehran province
Ali Reza Avaie
Tehran Judiciary
No. 152, corner of 17th Alley, before Shahid Motahhari Avenue
Sanaei Avenue, Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: avaei@dadgostary-tehran.ir, info@dadgostary-tehran.ir
Fax: +98 21 8832 6700 (unreliable, please try three times before trying an alternative method)
Salutation: Dear Sir

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri, Tehran 1316814737, Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying)
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Javid Larijani)
Salutation: Dear Mr Larijani

and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 13 May.

Stop! don't imprison Abed Tavancheh

Stop! don't imprison Abed Tavancheh
On December 6, 2007, the leftist political activist, Abad Tavancheh, wasreleased on a large bail, after undergoing arrest and interrogation. Then,on April 15th, 2008, he was summoned to the Revolutionary Courts inMarkazi Province and was sentenced to eight months in prison.He was given twenty days to appeal.As there has been a rush to finalize the case, he has not been given thechance to work on his appeal case properly. Moreover, his lawyer was notpresent in many sessions of the court and he and his family are under hugepressure. Therefore, a campaign has been established to support AbedTavanche and his family. Based on the individual's definite right tofreedom, we assert that we reject any sentence which contradicts humanrights.We ask you to step up in his support and stop the imprisonment of a fellowstudent activist for practicing his right to free-thinking. We believethat this is not only about one individual, and if not stopped will set anexample for increasing pressure of all leftist activists.Sincerely, The Campaign for Support of Abed TAvanche

TAVANCHEH.SOS@GAMIL.COM

IRAN Farhad Haji Mirza'i (m), aged 28, human rights defender

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/054/2008
11 April 2008
UA 94/08 Fear of torture/ possible prisoner of conscience/ death penalty
IRAN Farhad Haji Mirza'i (m), aged 28, human rights defender

Iranian Kurdish human rights defender Farhad Haji Mirza'i is being held in Tehran's Evin Prison, and is believed to have been mentally and physically tortured. Reports suggest that he may have been sentenced to death. Amnesty International believes that he may be a prisoner of conscience, held solely on account of his peaceful activism in defence of human rights.
Farhad Haji Mirza'i, a driver and labourer from Sanandaj, Kordestan province, is a member of the Association for the Protection of Children's Rights and a founding member of the Association of Defence of Political Prisoners and Human Rights in Iran. He was detained by national security officials on 30 December 2007 while on his way to an appointment with his dentist, although the authorities did not confirm that they had arrested him until around two weeks following his arrest, during which time he is believed to have been tortured. He was held until around February 2008 in a detention facility under the control of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj, where it is feared he may have been tortured. He was then transferred to Section 209 of the prison, run by the Ministry of Intelligence and outside the control of Iran's prison service. He has been held incommunicado since he was arrested. Prolonged incommunicado detention, without access to family or legal representation, has been shown to facilitate torture and ill-treatment.
According to a statement issued by the Association for the Defence of Political Prisoners in Iran in March 2008, Farhad Haji Mirza'i has been facing “intense physical and mental tortures in an attempt to force him to confess to fabricated allegations”. His home was raided by security officials and some of his possessions were removed. Iranian officials are also reported to have informed Farhad Haji Mirza'i's family that their son has been charged with "acting against national security" and "collaboration with opposition forces". The Association for the Defence of Political Prisoners in Iran claims that his family have also been told that he has been sentenced to death. Amnesty International has no information on any trial proceedings faced by Farhad Haji Mirza'i.
Mahiye al-Din Haji Mirza'i, Farhad's father, was reportedly detained briefly by Ministry of Intelligence officials on three occasions, possibly when he tried to visit to his son. On 4 March 2008, Farhad's mother and sister were interrogated. Ministry of Intelligence officials are also said to have warned his family against publicizing his arrest.
Farhad Haji Mirza'i was a member of the organizing committee of the annual Women's Day and Children's Day celebrations and rallies in Sanandaj from 2001 to 2007. In 2005, he was one of 11 activists who led a campaign to halt the threat of possible execution by stoning of Jila Ezadi, a 13-year-old girl.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In recent years, Kurdish and other human rights defenders have faced successive waves of arrests and imprisonment. Amnesty International continues to call on the Iranian authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of association and expression and to end its repression of human rights defenders.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, English, Kurdish, Arabic, French or your own language:
- requesting details of the reasons for Farhad Haji Mirza'i's arrest and any specific charges, trial sessions, evidence and any verdict that may have been passed against Farhad Haji Mirza'i;
- expressing concern that he has reportedly been sentenced to death and calling, if true, for the sentence to be commuted;
- urging the authorities to undertake full and immediate investigations into reports that he was tortured, to take the necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure that he is not exposed to further torture or ill-treatment;
- calling for him to be allowed immediate and regular access to his family, his lawyer and any medical treatment he may require;
- stating that if Farhad Haji Mirza'i has been detained solely in connection with his peaceful activities on behalf of Iran's Kurdish community, or with his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression or association, then he is a prisoner of conscience, who should be released immediately and unconditionally; otherwise he should be released unless he is to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence and brought promptly to a fair trial;
- urging the authorities to enact in domestic legislation the measures provided for in the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Intelligence
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Ministry of Intelligence, Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice Building, Panzdah-Khordad Square, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying)
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Governor of Kordestan Province
Esmail Najjar
Email: In Persian and Kurdish, send via feedback form on the website:
http://www.ostan-kd.ir/Default.aspx?tabId=150&cv=4@0_1
In English, French or your other languages, use the feedback form on the website: http://en.ostan-kd.ir/Default.aspx?TabID=59
Salutation: Dear Governor
COPIES TO:
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
via website: www.president.ir/email
and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 23 May 2008.

Act NOW! Iran: Attempted assassination of labour activist

On the morning of Thursday 18 October, 2007, three masked men shot Majid Hamidi, a 48-year old grocery worker and labour activist in Sanandaj, Iran, seven times in his arm, shoulder and neck. Hamidi was eventually taken to Tehran for specialist surgery and remains in critical condition. Iranian labour activists are convinced that armed attacks of this type are done with the knowledge and support of the government. ( more )

Film: Freedom Will Come - The Story of Mansour Osanloo

This film promotes the international campaign launched by the ITF and ITUC in order to seek the release from prison of Mansour Osanloo.

Mansour Osanloo, the jailed leader of the bus workers' union in Tehran, faces the possible loss of his eyesight unless he receives urgent medical atte

Mansour Osanloo, the jailed leader of the bus workers' union in Tehran, faces the possible loss of his eyesight unless he receives urgent medical attention -- which the Iranian authorities are denying him.

Amnesty International has just now launched an online campaign calling on the Iranian government to allow Osanloo to receive medical attention. I urge all of you to sent off your messages today. The Iranian government must be made aware that the world is watching.

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), which has spearheaded the international campaign in defense of Osanloo, has now produced a short film entitled " Freedom Will Come" which tells his story. It can be viewed online on YouTube, and will shortly be available as a DVD as well.

If every reader of this message passes it on to a few friends and colleagues, we can flood the Iranian government with email messages -- but we must do this quickly, before Osanloo loses his vision.

Thanks -- I know that I can count on you.

Eric Lee

Amnesty International issues Urgent Action on another Iranian teenager

Amnesty International issues Urgent Action on another Iranian teenagerAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IMMINENT EXECUTION 20 JULY 2007Mosleh Zamani, who was sentenced to death in 2006, is now is facing imminent execution. His sentence was upheld by Iran's Supreme Court in early July. His sentence, which was delivered on 17 July to judicial authorities charged with carrying out verdicts, could be carried out at any time. He is held in Sanandaj. He was reportedly found guilty of abducting a woman some 10 years older than him, with whom he was allegedly having a relationship, and forcing her to have sex with him.There are conflicting reports as to whether Mosleh Zamani was aged 17 or 18 at the time the alleged abduction took place. Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Both of these prohibit the use of the death penalty against child offenders: people under 18 at the time of the offence of which they have been convicted.A member of his family has suggested to Amnesty International that Mosleh Zamani had inadequate legal representation during his trial and appeals.Mosleh Zamani's family reportedly staged a demonstration outside the judiciary's office in Sanandaj on 17 July, to protest that as the verdict had been delivered to the officials charged with carrying it out, his execution could be imminent.RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Kurdish, English, French, or your own language:- stating that Amnesty International acknowledges the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but opposes the death penalty unconditionally as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and violation of the right to life;.- calling on the authorities to commute Mosleh Zamani's death sentence immediately; - asking how old Mosleh Zamani was at the time of the offence, since the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iran is a state party, prohibit the use of the death penalty against anyone under the age of 18 at the time of offence, and it would therefore be a violation of international law to execute Mosleh Zamani, if he was under 18 at the time of the offence.APPEALS TO:Leader of the Islamic RepublicHis Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme LeaderShoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of IranEmail: info@leader.ir , istiftaa@wilayah.orgFax: +98 251 774 2228 (mark "FAO Office of His Excellency Ayatollah al Udhma Khamenei")Salutation: Your Excellency .Head of the JudiciaryHis Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi ShahroudiMinistry of Justice, Park-e Shahr, Tehran, Islamic Republic of IranSalutation: Your ExcellencyCOPIES TO:PresidentHis Excellency Mahmoud AhmadinejadThe Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of IranFax: +981 6 674 790 (Foreign Ministry. Mark "Forward to H.E. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad")Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir, via website: www.president.ir/emailSalutation: Your Excellency .Governor of KurdistanEsmail NajjarEmail: In Persian or Kurdish, use feedback form on Persian part of website: http://www.ostan-kd.ir/Default.aspx?tabId=150&cv=4@0_1In other languages, use the feedback form on English part of website:http://en.ostan-kd.ir/Default.aspx?TabID=59Salutation: Dear Governor .COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 31 August 2007.