Iran: Iranian student detained without charge: Payam Jahangiri (m)
UA: 17/10
Index: MDE 13/008/2010
Iranian student Payam Jahangiri was arrested on 5 December at his home in the city of Shiraz in southwestern Iran, two days before nationwide student protests against the government took place on 7 December. Since then he has been held without charge in Shiraz and has had no access to a lawyer. He is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
Payam Jahangiry, a 28-year-old student of political science at Shiraz University, is a supporter of the opposition movement in Iran, known as the Green Movement, which emerged after the contested presidential election in June 2009 and contributes to the cultural website Rooznamak. He was arrested on his birthday at his home in Shiraz where he lives with his wife, Newsha Nayestani. Several security officials arrived at his home, claiming that they were workers from the electricity provider and needed to check his flat. They forced their way in as he opened the door, identified themselves as security officials and searched his home. They arrested Payam Jahangiry and confiscated various personal belongings, including four computers and various documents and photographs. Payam Jahangiry is being held in the Artesh Sevvom detention centre in Shiraz. He has been allowed visits from his family on two occasions.
Dozens of students and others were arrested before, during and after student demonstrations marking National Student Day in Iran, which marks the killing of three students by security forces in 1953. Students opposed to the government used the event to protest.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:
-
Asking to be informed of the reasons for Payam Jahangiri’s arrest;
-
Calling on the Iranian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally as he is believed to be held solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association;
-
Calling for him to be protected from torture or other ill-treatment while in detention and to be granted immediate and regular access to his family, a lawyer of his choice and to any necessary medical treatment;
-
Expressing concern at the restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly in Iran and urging the authorities to allow those with opposing views to freely express their views, including in writing and through peaceful demonstrations.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 26 FEBRUARY 2010 TO:
Head of Fars Judiciary
Ahmad Siavash-Pour
Provincial Judiciary Central Complex
Shohada Square
Shiraz
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: 0098-711- 2242238
Salutation: Dear Mr Siavash-Pour
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran, 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: Via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspxFirst starred box: your given name; second starred box: your family name; third: your email address
Salutation: Your Excellency
And copies to:
Director, Human Rights Headquarters
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri
Tehran 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986
Email: [email protected] (In subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
Salutation: Dear Mr Larijani
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Green Movement was born around the disputed presidential election in 2009. The supporters of presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi wore the colour green to show their affiliation. Since the unrest surrounding the election, the Green Movement is now seen as advocating social and political reform more widely as well as opposing the widespread human rights violations which took place and are continuing to occur.
Though it is not overtly political, other contributors to the Rooznamak website have also previously been arrested. For example, Mohammad Loghman was arrested at a peaceful celebration in Tehran of International Labour Day on 1 May 2009. He was released on 11 May (see UA 144/09 and follow-up).
Students have been at the forefront of continuing protests at the disputed election result, as well as at the widespread human rights violations committed as the authorities banned demonstrations and cracked down violently on protestors. Dozens of people have been killed by security forces using excessive force, thousands have been arrested, mostly arbitrarily, many of whom were tortured or otherwise ill-treated. Scores have faced unfair trial, including some in mass show trials, with over 80 sentenced to prison terms, and at least seven sentenced to death, although one has had his death sentence overturned on appeal.
Other students arrested around National Student Day include Majid Tavakkoli, arrested on 7 December as he left Amir Kabir University of Technology in Tehran, where he had given a speech at a National Student Day event (see UA: 341/09 Index: MDE 13/131/2009 Iran).