Iran: Further information on arbitrary detention/fear for safety/possible prisoner of conscience
AI Index: MDE 13/099/2007
Further Information on UA 265/06 (MDE 13/116/2006, 3 October 2006) and follow-up (MDE 13/052/2007, 11 May 2007) - Arbitrary arrest/Fear for safety/Possible prisoners of conscienceand new concern: Medical concern
IRAN Keyvan Rafi'i (m), human rights defender
Kheyrollah Derakhshandi (m), member of the Alumni Association of Iran and former student activist
Abolfazl Jahandar (m), journalist and former student activist
Dr Keyvan Ansari (m), Central Council member of the Alumni Association of Iran
Dr Keyvan Ansari and Abdolfazl Jahandar reportedly went on hunger strike on 14 July in protest at their continuing detention. Abdolfazl Jahandar is also said to be protesting at the prison officials' refusal to transfer him to the section for political prisoners.
The hearing of the case of Keyvan Rafi’i, now held in section 350 of Evin prison, was reportedly postponed for a fourth time on 29 July, because the prosecutor did not show up at Branch 17 of the Revolutionary Court.
Keyvan Rafi’i wrote a letter on 7 June, widely distributed, describing his arrest, detention and ill-treatment. He said that he is accused of "acting against state security", "propaganda against the regime" and being in contact with opposition groups. On 20 May, his father, sister and brother had been taken to an Intelligence Ministry facility in Tehran to make them put pressure on him. They were released at around 10pm after lengthy interrogation. Keyvan Rafi’i has been allowed to contact his family by phone, but not to meet them.
Keyvan Rafi’i is the spokesman in Iran for an organization called Human Rights Activists in Iran. He was arrested on 9 July 2006, possibly in connection with his activities to publicize human rights violations in Iran. His case was sent for review in January 2007 due to deficiencies in the prosecution case and the fact that Keyvan Rafi'i had not had access to legal representation.
Kheyrollah Derakhshandi, who is held in section 325 of Evin prison, was reportedly severely beaten in March, leaving him with persistent pain in his back and left arm. According to his family, he is being denied medical care. His 75-year-old father, Mojtaba Derakhshandi, was reportedly summoned to appear in court for giving an interview to a news agency about his son’s medical condition. He was later released on bail and warned not to speak to the press.
Abdolfazl Jahandar is reportedly also in poor health.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On 5 September 2006 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech toa selected group of students, saying, "Our education system has been under the influence of secular and arrogant thinking for 150 years in such a way that self-belief and identity were ignored and efforts were made to promote a secular system and secular thoughts in society… I tell young people that changing the secular teaching regime that has dominated for 150 years is a difficult thing… We need to do it together. Measures have been taken before, but it is not sufficient". A number of students have been denied permission to return to university for the new academic year, apparently because of their political activities.
The Alumni Association of Iran is legally registered as a political organisation. Its membership is open to graduates of Iranian universities and it is active in promoting democracy and human rights. Association head Ali-Akbar Mousavi-Kho’ini was arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Tehran on 12 June 2006, which called for legal reforms to end discrimination against women. He was allegedly tortured during the more than four months he spent in Evin Prison. (See UA 181/06, MDE 13/075/2006, 30 June 2006 and follow-ups).
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Kurdish, English or your own language:
- asking what evidence there is against Keyvan Rafi'i, Kheyrollah Derakhshandi, Abolfazl Jahandar and Dr Keyvan Ansari, and what charges they are facing;
- expressing concern that the four men (naming them) may have been tortured and seeking assurances that they will not be subjected to further torture or ill-treatment;
- calling on the authorities to ensure that they are given immediate and unconditional access to their lawyers, their families and any medical treatment they may require;
- urging the authorities to drop any charges which relate solely to the peaceful exercise of their internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and association;
- stating that if they were to be convicted and imprisoned solely on the basis of such charges, Amnesty International would consider them to be prisoners of conscience, who should be released immediately and unconditionally.
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Intelligence
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Ministry of Intelligence, Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice Building, Panzdah-Khordad Square, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying)
Email: [email protected] (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [email protected]
via website: www.president.ir/email
Salutation: Your Excellency
and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 14 September 2007.