(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN protests the arrest of journalist and researcher Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari. Eshkevari is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and there are serious concerns for his health. International PEN considers Eshkevari to be detained in violation of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN protests the arrest of journalist and researcher Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari. Eshkevari is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and there are serious concerns for his health. International PEN considers Eshkevari to be detained in violation of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
According to WiPC’s information, Eshkevari, director of the Ali Shariati Research Centre and contributing editor of the now-banned newspaper “Iran-e Farda”, was arrested on 5 August 2000. He was arrested at his home, a few hours after he flew into Tehran from a trip to Europe, 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. He was detained by order of the prosecutor of the Special Court for the Clergy (SCC), reportedly for “acting against national security” in connection with a speech he gave at the conference. He was also charged with
“defaming government officials in articles”, “starting a campaign against the system”, and “denying and insulting the holy religion of Islam”.
There are unconfirmed reports that Eshkevari has been unable to obtain insulin in custody. He is believed to be held in Tehran’s Evin Prison.
Background Information
Eshkevari was one of a number of Iranian journalists and academics who attended the conference at the Heinrich Boll Institute in Berlin on 7-9 April entitled “Iran after the elections”, at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated. The conference was marked by strong protests by Iranian political groups in exile, and members of the Iranian judiciary apparently consider attendance at the conference to be “harmful to national security”. Many other prominent Iranian intellectuals who attended the Berlin conference have since faced arbitrary detention and interrogation. They include journalist Akbar Ganji, writer, lawyer and human rights activist Mehrangiz Kar, publisher Shahla Lahiji, translator Khalil Rostamkhani, and editor Ezatollah Sahabi.According to WiPC’s information, journalist Ganji and translator Rostamkhani remain detained; writer, lawyer and human rights activist Kar and publisher Lahiji were released on bail on 21 June, and editor Sahabi was released on bail on 21 August. No trial dates have been given for any of these cases.
These arrests are part of a renewed clampdown on freedom of speech which has been gathering momentum in Iran in recent months. The reformist press has been particularly targeted, and according to WiPC’s information, the number of publications banned or suspended since April now stands at twenty-eight. Many journalists have been arrested, and the following cases are the latest to be brought to WiPC’s attention and are believed to be still detained:
Massoud Behnoud: Journalist. Aged 55. Reportedly arrested on 9 August by officials from the Press Court on the basis of more than fifty complaints about his writing, some of which date from 1997. Behnoud wrote for the newspaper “Asr-e Azadegan” (Era of the Free), which was banned in 1999, and the recently banned “Danestani-ha” (Worth Knowing). He has an ulcer and a heart condition.
Mohammad Ghoutchani: Journalist with the now-banned newspaper “Asr-e-Azadegan”. Reportedly arrested on 13 August after several complaints were lodged against him by the police, a fundamentalist group and officials. Ghoutchani had reportedly denounced the banning in April of numerous reformist newspapers.
Ibrahim Nabavi: Journalist for the reformist publications “Jameh”, “Tous”, and “Asr-e-Azadegan”. Reportedly detained on 12 August after being interrogated by the Press Court. Previously detained in 1999 for his writings.
Ahmad Zeidabadi: Journalist. Reportedly arrested at his home on 7 August, apparently in connection with articles he wrote for newspapers that have since been banned. A group of around a dozen plainclothes officials reportedly detained him on the orders of the Court for State Employees. He had been working for the moderate newspaper
“Hamshahri” (The Citizen). The order for his
arrest was reportedly only issued the day after his arrest.
International PEN protests the arrest of researcher and journalist Eshkevari, and is seriously concerned for his health. PEN seeks assurances that Eshkevari is receiving access to the medication he requires whilst in detention. PEN further protests the continued detention of journalist Ganji and translator Rostamkhani, and remains seriously concerned about the charges believed to be still pending against writer, lawyer and human rights activist Kar, publisher Lahiji, and editor Sahabi. International PEN considers all those mentioned above to be detained or charged for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, and is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained, and for all charges against these writers to be dropped.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Ganji, journalist Eshkevari and translator Rostamkhani in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory
– seeking assurances that while detained all three will be treated humanely, and granted access to legal representation, their families and necessary medication
– welcoming the releases of writer, lawyer and human rights activist Kar, publisher Lahiji and editor Sahabi, but expressing continued concern that they still face trial and urging that all
charges against them be dropped
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 if possible.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
