(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 7 September 1999 Human Rights Watch press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ACADEMIC LEADERS SPEAK OUT IN DEFENSE OF EMBATTLED IRANIAN SCHOLAR (New York, September 7, 1999) — In an open letter today to the new head of the Iranian judiciary, the Human Rights Watch Academic Freedom Committee called for […]
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 7 September 1999 Human Rights Watch press
release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACADEMIC LEADERS SPEAK OUT IN DEFENSE OF EMBATTLED IRANIAN SCHOLAR
(New York, September 7, 1999) — In an open letter today to the new head of
the Iranian judiciary, the Human Rights Watch Academic Freedom Committee
called for immediate review of the arrest and conviction of Mohsen Kadivar.
Kadivar, a nationally prominent scholar and cleric, and an outspoken
advocate of greater democratization in Iran, was convicted in April by the
Special Court for the Clergy in Teheran for, among other things, “confusing
public opinion” for his advocacy of political reform. He is on temporary
“compassionate leave” from Evin Prison, but is due to be returned to prison
soon to continue serving his eighteen-month sentence.
“Kadivar’s only ‘crime’ was to express his opinions,” said Joseph Saunders,
Human Rights Watch academic freedom specialist. “But his opinions challenged
the politically entrenched position of the religious authorities, and in
Iran you can go to jail for that.”
Noting the recent appointment of Seyyed M.H. Shahroudi, considered a
reform-minded legal scholar, to head the judiciary, Mr. Saunders added: “Now
is the time for the judiciary to assert its independence by re-opening the
case and seeing to it that Kadivar gets a fair trial.”
The letter was signed on behalf of the committee by Jonathan Fanton, who
recently completed a seventeen-year term as president of the New School
University in New York, and by Hanny Megally, who heads the Middle East and
North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch. In addition to Mr. Fanton, the
membership of the committee includes internationally prominent academic
leaders and scholars, including presidents of Harvard University, Columbia
University and over a dozen other universities in the United States, and
figures such as Lord Ralf Dahrendorf, currently affiliated with the London
School of Economics, Krzysztof Michalski of the Institute for Human Sciences
in Vienna, Ariel Dorfman of Duke University, John Kenneth Galbraith of
Harvard University, and Fang Lizhi of the University of Arizona.
A copy of the letter follows.
September 7, 1999
By Facsimile
H.E. Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Head of the Judiciary
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Your Excellency:
Congratulations on your recent appointment as head of Iran’s judiciary. We
are writing this open letter on behalf of the Human Rights Watch Academic
Freedom Committee to urge you to do everything in your power to see that
justice is served in the case of Islamic scholar and professor of philosophy
Hojatoleslam Mohsen Kadivar. We understand that Dr. Kadivar is currently on
“compassionate leave” from Evin prison in Tehran but is due to be returned
to prison in the near future to continue serving his jail term.
Dr. Kadivar, a former aide to President Khatami, has been a vocal but
peaceful proponent of democratization. Dr. Kadivar also is one of the
founding members of the recently established Iranian Association for
Defending Freedom of the Press.
On April 21, 1999, Dr. Kadivar was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment
by the Special Court for the Clergy (Dadgah-e Vizhe-ye Ruhaniyat) in Tehran.
Dr. Kadivar had been detained since February 27, 1999, charged with
“propaganda against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic,” “publishing
lies,” and “confusing public opinion” for ideas and views he had expressed
in a series of essays, lectures, and newspaper articles. According to
Iranian press reports dated July 25, 1999, his conviction subsequently was
upheld on appeal. We understand, however, that, with recent changes in the
judiciary, there is a possibility that there will be a new appeal and that
Dr. Kadivar’s arrest and conviction will be reconsidered by judicial
authorities.
As a group of academic leaders and scholars committed to academic freedom
and protection of the basic rights of educators and students worldwide, it
is not our intention to support or dispute the opinions, ideas, or research
findings of the scholars and students whose cases we discuss. It is,
however, a central feature of our mandate to defend their right to express
their views as citizens and to study, research, teach, and publish without
interference.
We believe that the arrest and sentencing of Dr. Kadivar for the peaceful
expression of his views directly contravenes the principles of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and violates Dr. Kadivar’s internationally
recognized rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as well
as his right to be free from arbitrary arrest and detention.
For the reasons set forth above, we urge you to use your influence and
authority to ensure judicial review of Dr. Kadivar’s case with a view to
overturning his conviction. Should there be a retrial, we urge that you
take all measures necessary to ensure that the new trial is conducted in
accordance with international human rights standards and that Dr. Kadivar
not be punished for peacefully exercising his basic right to express his
views and ideas.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. We look forward
to your reply.
Sincerely,
Jonathan F. Fanton
Co-Chair, Human Rights Watch Academic Freedom Committee
Hanny Megally
Executive Director, Human Rights Watch, Middle East and North Africa
Division.
cc: Hojjatoleslam val Moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatami
President, Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
His Excellency Dr. Mostafa Moin
Minister of Culture and Higher Education, Islamic Republic of Iran
Shahid Beheshti Avenue, Takhti Sq., Shahid Adaee Building
Tehran
For further information, contact Human Rights Watch, 350 Fifth Ave., 34th
Floor, New York
