19 May 2006

Alert

CJFE calls for immediate and unconditional release of scholar detained after questioning president's denial of Holocaust


Incident details

Ramin Jahanbegloo

writer(s)

detained
(CJFE/IFEX) - The following is an 18 May 2006 CFJE letter to the Iranian ambassador in Canada:

His Excellency, Dr. Seyed Mohammad Ali Mousavi, Ambassador
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
245 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2K2, Canada

Via Fax: 1 613 233-5712

Dear Ambassador:

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

We are very concerned at the continued detention of prominent scholar and writer Ramin Jahanbegloo. Professor Jahanbegloo is a well-known and well-respected Canadian-Iranian professor of philosophy.

Mr. Jahanbegloo was reportedly detained at the Tehran Airport on April 27; Iranian officials did not acknowledge his arrest until May 3, a day when CJFE joined with others around the world to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. It is thought that his detention is in connection with an article he wrote in which he challenged President Ahmadinejad's contention that the Holocaust had not taken place.

Mr. Jahanbegloo has received doctorates from the Sorbonne and Harvard University, and is the author of more than 20 books. He was an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto from1999-2001. He has also written extensively for newspapers and magazines in Iran and abroad.

CJFE is greatly concerned by the detention of Ramin Jahanbegloo at Evin prison - a prison which has extremely painful associations for all Canadians who remember photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, who was killed there in 2003. CJFE calls upon the Government of Iran to release Mr. Jahanbegloo immediately and unconditionally.

We look forward to your early reply.

Yours sincerely,

Arnold Amber
CJFE President



Source:

Putting free expression issues in perspective.

Sign up to receive IFEX In Context.

More on this case

PEN Canada welcomes release from prison of Iranian-Canadian scholar Ramin Jahanbegloo 31 August 2006 Government uses "velvet revolution" charge against Ramin Jahanbegloo and other journalists 12 July 2006 Critical commentary and reporting likely motive behind leading journalist's arrest and detention 5 May 2006 Prominent scholar detained incommunicado, without charge 4 May 2006

At a glance

Iran
Iran
 
Key reports and information
 
IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.