I will be publishing these Urgent Action Appeals from Amnesty International frequently, in the hopes of sparking even one person to raise their voice against injustice in the global community. Just because it’s happening halfway round the world from you doesn’t mean you have no moral imperative to speak out.
These posts are not here for debate or argument or political sparring and, as such, I request that my friends and readers refrain from posting comments designed to incite flaming and argument. I trust that those of you whom I know well will respect my wishes on this subject (and after all, I promise I will post plenty of other crap that we can argue about). I really don’t want to have to disable comments on these posts.
Thank you all for reading and helping.
Gentle Breezes,
Mo
URGENTÂ ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To read the current Urgent Action newsletter, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/newslett.html
——————————————————————————————————————
For a print-friendly version (PDF) go to:
Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have received the original UA when issued on September 2, 2009. Thanks!
10 December 2009
Further information on UA 231/09 (2 September 2009) and follow-up (3 November 2009) – Possible prisoner of conscience
IRAN
Hengameh Shahidi (f), journalist
Hengameh Shahidi, a female journalist, has been sentenced to six years, three months and one day’s imprisonment for charges related to her peaceful exercise of her rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. She remains free on bail, pending an appeal against her conviction and sentence, but if imprisoned, Amnesty International would consider her to be a prisoner of conscience and would call for her immediate and unconditional release.
On 30 November, Hengameh Shahidi’s lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei went to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, where he was informed that his client had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for “gathering and colluding with intent to harm state security”, to one year imprisonment for “propaganda against the system” and to 91 days for “insulting the president”. Mohammad Mostafaei stated the same day that he intended to lodge an appeal against Hengameh Shahidi’s sentence.
At her trial, Hengameh Shahidi, who was an advisor on women’s issues to defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi during his election campaign, was accused of taking part in demonstrations against the disputed election result between 13 and 17 June, giving an interview to the media, collecting signatures for the “One Million Signature Campaign (also known as the Campaign for Equality – which aims to end discrimination against women in Iranian law), supporting a campaign to end executions by stoning in Iran, signing numerous statements addressed to United Nations human rights bodies about human rights violations in Iran, and publishing articles on her blog.
Hengameh Shahidi was arrested on 30 June and was held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison in the capital Tehran for 50 days before being transferred to a cell holding another woman. Her interrogators threatened to arrest other family members, and on several occasions she was threatened with execution. On one occasion she was subjected to a mock execution. She was eventually released on bail of 900 million rials (over US$90,000) on 1 November 2009, after she went on hunger strike in protest at her continued detention. On 4 November, after her release on bail, she was tried.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Hengameh Shahidi was arrested on 30 June and was held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison in the capital Tehran for 50 days before being transferred to a cell holding another woman. Her interrogators threatened to arrest other family members, and on several occasions she was threatened with execution. On one occasion she was subjected to a mock execution. She was eventually released on bail of 900 million rials (over US$90,000) on 1 November 2009, after she went on hunger strike in protest at her continued detention. On 4 November, after her release on bail, she was tried.
Before her release, prison officials threatened Hengameh Shahidi that she would be punished if she continued her hunger strike. This contrasts with the impunity enjoyed by security officials responsible for human rights violations. The Norooz website stated that she has asked “Were the individuals who beat me in the basements of Evin prison brought before the [prison] disciplinary committee?”. Amnesty International is not aware of any official investigation of these allegations.
The authorities used excessive force to quell largely peaceful protests which erupted after the announcement that incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead had won the 12 June election, which many people disputed. The authorities have acknowledged 36 deaths, while the opposition claims that over 70 died. Over 4,000 were arrested, many of whom were tortured or otherwise ill-treated in detention centers across the country. Some have alleged they were raped, although the authorities have denied this after cursory investigations and other measures which appear designed to hide, rather than uncover, the truth. Over 80 have been sentenced to prison terms or flogging in connection with the unrest, including those sentenced after mass “show trials” which began in August. At least five have been sentenced to death.
The authorities have continued to use force to dispel demonstrations held on days of national importance. Most recently, people demonstrating on 7 December 2009, the anniversary of the killing of students by the former Shah’s forces in 1953, were met with beatings and use of tear gas by security forces. Over 200 were arrested in Tehran alone. Human rights defenders have also been targeted: on 5 December around 29 members of the group Mourning Mothers, which gathers every Saturday to protest at the killings of protestors and other human rights violations since the election, were arrested in Tehran. All have since been released.
For further information about the post-election events please see Iran: Election contested, Repression compounded, December 2009, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/123/2009/en
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the authorities to review Hengameh Shahidi’s conviction and sentence, as if imprisoned, she would be a prisoner of conscience imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly;
- Stating that participating in peaceful demonstrations, giving interviews and signing petitions calling for greater respect for human rights are not crimes and are permitted by the Iran’s Constitution and by international law.
- Calling for an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into Hengameh Shahidi’s allegations of torture in detention and for anyone responsible for abuses to be brought to justice promptly and fairly.
APPEALS TO:
Head of the Judiciary in Tehran
Mr Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue, Corner of Ally 17, No 152
Tehran, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email: avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir
Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei
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
COPIES TO:
Secretary-General of National Trust Party
Mehdi Karroubi
Email: via website
http://www.etemademelli.ir/contactus/
(put name in first box, subject in fifth box and text in large box)
Iran does not presently have an embassy in the United States. Instead, please send copies to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Fax: 1 202 965 1073
Email: requests@daftar.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 21 January 2010.
———————————-
Tip of the Month:
Write as soon as you can. Try to write as close as possible to the date a case is issued.
** POSTAGE RATES **
Within the United States:
$0.28 – Postcards
$0.44 – Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Canada:
$0.75 – Postcards
$0.75 – Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Mexico:
$0.79 – Postcards
$0.79 – Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To all other destination countries:
$0.98 – Postcards
$0.98 – Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
———————————-
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
———————————-
