While WiPC welcomes the journalist's release, it continues to call for any charges against her to be dropped, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International welcomes the release on bail on 17 October 2011 of journalist, poet and activist Faranak Farid after forty-two days in prison for her peaceful activism and critical writings. PEN continues to call for any charges against her to be dropped, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
According to PEN’s information, Faranak Farid, editor-in-chief of the banned monthly “Dilmaj”, poet and women’s rights activist, was arrested by plainclothes officers whilst out shopping in the city of Tabriz on 3 September 2011. Security forces later searched her house and seized her computer and personal documents. She was arrested following her participation in a peaceful protest against the environmental policies of the Iranian authorities affecting the Urmiah Lake in north-western Iran, and is also thought to be targeted for her writings and activism in defense of women’s rights. She was held at the women’s section of Tabriz Central Prison on charges of ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’, ‘propaganda against the system’, and ‘acting against national security’ until 17 October 2011, when she was freed on a bail of one hundred million tuman. She was reportedly ill-treated in detention.
Faranak Farid (pen-name Ipek), aged 50, is a leading writer, editor and women’s rights activist. Her publications include the poetry collection “Yuxuda Ayilmaq”, published in 2009, and “Jiziq”, currently under publication. She is a founding member of the One Million Signatures Campaign and has participated in numerous conferences and seminars both inside and outside Iran.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please write immediately:
* Welcoming the release on bail of journalist, poet and activist Faranak Farid;
* Continuing to call for all charges against her to be dropped, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO:
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
[care of] Public relations Office
Number 4, 2 Azizi Street
Vali Asr Ave., above Pasteur Street intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject line: FAO Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of East Azerbaijan Province Judiciary
Hojjatoleslam Sharifi
Judiciary of East Azerbaijan
Central Complex
Beginning of Vali-Asr Hill
Tabriz, East Azerbaijan
5157733135
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: 009841133201109
Salutation: Dear Sir
COPIES TO:
President:
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: Via Foreign Ministry: +98 21 6 674 790
(mark: “Please forward to H.E. President Ahmadinejad”)
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street
Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran
If possible please send a copy of your appeal to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country.
Click here for further information on the One Million Signatures Campaign
