(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC protests the detention of writer, editor and human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar, and is concerned for her health. There are fears that she may be at risk of ill-treatment whilst in detention. International PEN considers her to be detained in violation of her right to freedom of expression, and is calling […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC protests the detention of writer, editor and human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar, and is concerned for her health. There are fears that she may be at risk of ill-treatment whilst in detention. International PEN considers her to be detained in violation of her
right to freedom of expression, and is calling for her immediate and unconditional release.
According to WiPC’s information, Kar was arrested with publisher Shahla Lahiji on 29 April 2000 and charged with “acting against national security” for participating in an academic and cultural
conference held in Berlin on 7-9 April at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated. Kar is a writer, essayist and former editor of the now-banned “Zan” literary review, and both she and Lahiji have reportedly been previously targeted by the Iranian authorities in connection with their women’s rights activism.
Many other prominent Iranian intellectuals who attended the Berlin conference have since faced arbitrary detention and interrogation, including journalist Akbar Ganji who remains in custody
and is an International PEN main case. Ganji, Kar and Lahiji are all believed to be held in Evin Prison, and are not expected to be granted bail in the immediate future. No trial date has been made public to date.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Ganji, publisher Lahiji and writer, editor and lawyer Kar in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory
– seeking assurances that whilst detained all three will be treated humanely, and granted access to legal representation and their families
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 and to the source if possible.
