The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Iran:
New information:
According to the information received, on December 16, 2007, Mr. Reza Dehghan was released, along with Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Vice-President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Syndica Sherkate-Vahed), who was detained since August 9, 2007.
The Observatory welcomes the release of Mr. Reza Dehghan and of Mr. Ebrahim Madadi and wishes to thank all the persons, organisations, and institutions that intervened in their favour. Nevertheless, the Observatory recalls that Iranian human rights defenders, including trade union leaders, are increasingly subjected to acts of harassment.
In addition, the Observatory remains very concerned at the treatment of Mr. Mahmoud Salehi, spokesperson for the Organisation Committee to Establish Trade Unions and former President of the Saqez Bakers’ Union, who is being kept in harsh prison conditions in Sanandaj despite his very poor health and fears that his life might be at severe risk1.
The Observatory further recalls that Iran had committed to “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights”2 by presenting its candidacy to the Human Rights Council 2006 election and had insisted in this regard on the fact that the country had “continuously put great efforts into safeguarding the status and inherent dignity of the human person as well as the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms”3. In order to ensure the continuation of these efforts, the Observatory urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to conform with international human rights standards.
Background information:
On November 18, 2007, Mr. Reza Dehghan was summoned to court for questioning and was then arrested. He was subsequently brought to Evin Prison. No information could be obtained as regards the reasons for his arrest. Yet, the Observatory believes that it might have been linked to his trade union activities and his vocal support of Mr. Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkat-e Vahed), arbitrarily detained since July 20074.
Actions requested:
Please write to the authorities in Iran urging them to:
i.Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Messrs. Mansour Osanloo, Mahmoud Salehi, Reza Dehghan, Ebrahim Madadi and all trade unionists in Iran;
ii.Release Messrs. Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi immediately and unconditionally as their detention is arbitrary as they merely sanction their human rights activities;
iii.Put an end to all acts of harassment against all Iranian human rights defenders;
iv.Conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”, and Article 12.2, which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”;
v.More generally, ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Iran.
Addresses:
– Leader of the Islamic Republic, His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader, Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran, Faxes: + 98.21.649.5880 / 21.774.2228, Email: info@leader.ir / istiftaa@wilayah.org / webmaster@wilayah.org;
– President, His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: + 98.21.649.5880, E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir;
– Head of the Judiciary, His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: +98.21.879.6671 / +98 21 3 311 6567, Email: Irjpr@iranjudiciary.com;
– Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Manuchehr Motaki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: + 98.21.390.1999, Email: matbuat@mfa.gov;
– Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 7330203, Email: mission.iran@ties.itu.int;
– Ambassador Mr. Ahani, Embassy of Iran in Brussels, avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 15 A. 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 762 39 15. Email: iran-embassy@yahoo.com.
Please also write to the diplomatic mission or embassy of Iran in your respective country.
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Geneva-Paris, December 18, 2007
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need. The Observatory was the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
E-mail: Appeals@fidh-omct.org
Tel and fax FIDH + 33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / +33 1 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT + 41 (0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 22 809 49 29