(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is seriously concerned for the health of writer, editor and human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and has reportedly been denied permission to seek medical treatment overseas. She has undergone a mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy in Iran. Kar was arrested with publisher Shahla Lahiji […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is seriously concerned for the health of writer, editor and human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and has reportedly been denied permission to seek medical treatment overseas. She has undergone a mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy in Iran.
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 to 9 April, at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated. She has appeared at a closed hearing at Iran’s Revolutionary Court, but to date no details have been made public about the trial. Kar is now believed to be facing three additional charges at the Civil Court, those of violating the observance of hejab (the full head and body covering required of women), denying the Islamic necessity of hejab, and propagating against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Accusations relating to the observance of hejab are reportedly particularly common against women whom the authorities wish to intimidate and harass.
Kar is a writer, essayist and former editor of the now-banned “Zan” literary review, and both she and Shahla Lahiji have reportedly been previously targeted by the Iranian authorities in connection with their women’s rights activism.
Background Information
Many other prominent Iranian intellectuals who attended the Berlin conference have since faced arbitrary detention and interrogation, and nineteen people have reportedly been charged. All have now been released on bail except journalist Akbar Ganji (see IFEX alerts of 24, 15 and 14 November, 7 September, 29 June, 16, 12 and 1 May, 28 and 25 April 2000) and journalist and researcher Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari (see IFEX alerts of 14 November, 17 and 11 October, 7 and 1 September, 8 August, 29 June, 1 May, 28 and 25 April 2000), who remain in custody.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing serious concern for the health of Kar and urging that she be given access to all necessary medical treatment as a matter of urgency
– calling for all charges against Kar to be dropped on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory
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.
Or send appeals to
c/o Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
622 3rd Avenue, 34th floor
New York, NY 10017
U.S.A.
Fax: +1 212 867 7086
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country and to the source if possible.
For those of you wishing to send messages of support to Kar, please write to:
Mehrangiz Kar, Attorney At Law
Gh. Farahani Ave.
First St. No. 20, 2nd Floor
Tehran 15859, Iran
Please ensure that you limit the content of your messages to well wishes and support, and do not make any political statements which could cause Kar trouble or unnecessary stress.
