(HRW/IFEX) – An Iranian writer escaped an apparent attempt on his life on 13 December 1998, the latest in a spate of killings of Iranian intellectuals and opposition figures. HRW urged the government to take stronger measures to ensure the safety of independent Iranian writers and critics. **New case and update to IFEX alerts of […]
(HRW/IFEX) – An Iranian writer escaped an apparent attempt on his life on 13
December 1998, the latest in a spate of killings of Iranian intellectuals
and opposition figures. HRW urged the government to take stronger measures
to ensure the safety of independent Iranian writers and critics.
**New case and update to IFEX alerts of 14 December, 11 December, 10
December, 9 December, 7 December and 27 November 1998**
Akbar Ganji, the editor of the recently-banned weekly newspaper “Rah-e No”
(New Way), was approached by two unknown men as he was leaving his office in
Tehran at 6:10 p.m. (local time) on 13 December. Ganji had been held
incommunicado for three months in early 1998 for criticising government
policies.
The men asked him, “Where can we find Akbar Ganji?” Ganji, realising that
they represented a danger, did not identify himself but asked them who they
were. After a brief exchange the two men ran away. In the current
threatening atmosphere for Iranian writers, Ganji is in no doubt that the
encounter put his life in danger.
HRW welcomed President Mohammad Khatami’s announcement on 14 December of a
special committee to investigate the killings. In the last four weeks, five
Iranian writers have been killed, and several outspoken writers and
opposition figures have been threatened.
“President Khatami has encouraged writers and opposition figures to speak
openly,” said Hanny Megally, executive director of the Middle East and North
Africa division of Human Rights Watch. “Now he has a clear obligation to
protect them.”
On 9 December, Jafar Pouyandeh, a translator and writer, disappeared while
on his way to a meeting of publishers in downtown Tehran. His body was found
on 13 December in a Tehran city morgue. According to his family, Pouyandeh
was apparently strangled, although no autopsy has yet been carried out.
HRW also welcomed the pledge on 14 December by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
Iran’s supreme leader, to do everything possible to halt the killings.
“Khamenei’s intervention is important” said Megally. “But we now need to see
him back the words up with deeds.” Megally noted that Mohammad Yazdi, the
head of the judiciary, which has been overseeing the investigation of the
murders, has not publicly condemned the murders or promised to try to stop
them.
