International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI)
Press Release
IRAN: One more conviction to death of 20 year old activist
Paris, 4 March, 2010 - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI) strongly condemn the sentencing to death of a 20 year old student and activist, Mohammad Amin Valian, in Iran.
On 3 March, 2010, was reported that the death sentence of Mohammad Amin Valian, a 20 year old student and central council member of Islamic Students Society of Damghan University, had been upheld by the appeal court. The defendant, was arrested in connection with the events in Ashura on 27 December. Mr Valian was charged of Moharebeh (fighting God) after being seen holding and throwing rocks during a demonstration, which was considered as a threat against the regime. According to information received, Mr Valian has been kept completely isolated and restricted from any visit from his family or his lawyer since his arrest. The trial was closed to the public and was held on the absence of the defendant’s lawyer.
Media sources report that so far at least 13 protestors have been sentenced to death in connection with the events in Ashura while two protestors have already been executed-see FIDH press release of 28 January on http://www.fidh.org/Execution-of-two-opposition-activists .
FIDH and LDDHI firmly condemn the conviction to death of Mr Valian and express their deepest concern about the fate of the other activists who are also sentenced to death. FIDH and LDDHI call upon the Iranian authorities to repeal all those death sentences. The Islamic Republic of Iran should respect its obligation under the International Covenant for Civil and political Rights to restrict the use of the death penalty to the « most serious offenses », as a first step to abolish the death penalty. In addition, FIDH and LDDHI urge the Iranian authorities to respect the international and domestic standards related to the right to a fair trial as well as the fair right of people detained in prison, to see their families and their legal representatives.