(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of journalist and researcher Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari following reports that he has been transferred from Evin Prison and is apparently now being held incommunicado. Eshkevari, director of the Ali Shariati Research Centre and contributing editor of the now-banned […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned for the well-being of journalist and researcher Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari following reports that he has been transferred from Evin Prison and is apparently now being held incommunicado.
Eshkevari, director of the Ali Shariati Research Centre and contributing editor of the now-banned newspaper “Iran-e Farda”, is believed to have been transferred from Evin Prison to another detention facility on or around 12 April 2001. Eshkevari is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and there are unconfirmed reports that he has been unable to obtain insulin in custody.
Eshkevari was arrested on 5 August 2000 in connection with his participation at an academic and cultural conference held in Berlin in April. Eshkevari reportedly learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest shortly after the conference, and had since been staying in Germany and France. Eshkevari’s trial began behind closed doors on 7 October in the Special Court for the Clergy. He is believed to have been charged with “acting against national security” in connection with a speech he gave at the conference, “defaming government officials in articles”, “starting a campaign against the system”, and “denying and insulting the holy religion of Islam”. He has also been additionally charged with “declaring war on God”, “being corrupt on earth”, and apostasy. These latter three charges carry the death penalty. His trial ended on 17 October and he was reportedly convicted but to date no information has been made public about what sentence was passed on him. It is feared that he may face the death penalty. The outcome of an appeal scheduled for 26 November has also not been disclosed.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Eshkevari, who International PEN considers to be detained in violation of his right to freedom of expression, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a
signatory
– requesting that his whereabouts be made public and seeking assurances that whilst detained he be treated humanely and granted access to legal representation, his family and necessary medication
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
Leader of the Islamic Republic
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahrudi
Head of Judiciary
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr, Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Please note that there are no fax numbers available for the Iranian authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country to forward your appeals. Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country and to the source if possible.
