(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is deeply concerned by the continued detention of journalist Ali Farahbakhsh, who has been held since 27 November 2006. International PEN fears that journalist Farahbakhsh may be detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is deeply concerned by the continued detention of journalist Ali Farahbakhsh, who has been held since 27 November 2006.
International PEN fears that journalist Farahbakhsh may be detained solely for the peaceful exercise 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 calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
PEN is seriously concerned about reports that he is in poor health, and seeks immediate assurances that he has unrestricted access to all necessary medical care.
According to PEN’s information, Farahbakhsh, a former economics and foreign affairs reporter for the banned reformist dailies “Yas-e No”, “Shargh” and “Sobh-e Emrooz”, was arrested on 27 November 2006 on his return from Bangkok, Thailand, where he had attended a conference organised by a Thai human rights organisation on government and the media. His arrest was not made public until 6 January 2007.
The head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Shahrudi, reportedly authorised a bail order to be issued for Farahbakhsh’s release some weeks ago, but in spite of this he remains detained. He has been held in section 209 of Tehran’s Evin prison since his arrest. His trial began on 26 February, and although no official charges have been made public he is believed to be accused of espionage.
Farahbakhsh has been allowed family visits, and his wife and mother report that he is in poor health and is held in solitary confinement.
In an interview with the Persian-language online news service Rooz on 2 February, his mother claimed that Farahbakhsh had a heart attack during his first week in detention. She also reported that her son was interrogated about his attendance at the Bangkok conference.
BACKGROUND:
A number of prominent Iranian writers and human activists have been targeted in connection with their attendance at international conferences in recent months, although none has been detained for more than 24 hours. Amnesty International gives the following background information:
“Because of fundamental flaws in the administration of justice in Iran, it is easy for the authorities to harass intellectuals, journalists and other human rights defenders. The penal code contains a number of vaguely worded provisions relating to association and ‘national security’ which prohibit a range of activities, including many connected with journalism and freedom of expression, which are permitted under international human rights law. Detainees are often held for weeks or months without access to their families, and are frequently denied access to a lawyer of their choice until an indefinite period of interrogation is completed.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send appeals:
– protesting the detention of journalist Ali Farahbakhsh, and calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the ICCPR, to which Iran is a signatory
– expressing serious concern about reports that he is in poor health, and seeking assurances that he is given unrestricted access to medical treatment and is being treated humanely in detention
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail: info@leader.ir, istiftaa@wilayah.org
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Head of the Judiciary
Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail: via Judiciary website: http://www.Iranjudiciary.org/feedback_en.html
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President
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”)
E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir or via website: http://www.president.ir/email
If possible please send a copy of your appeal to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country.
