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IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community

ACTION ALERT - IRAN

1 September 2000

ARTICLE 19 urges UK government to seek freedom o f expression
guarantees in Iran

SOURCE: ARTICLE 19, London

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 letter to Minister of State Peter Hain urging the UK government to use its influence to
seekfreedom of expression guarantees in Iran:

Peter Hain MP
Minister of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1

By fax: 020 7270 3731

1 September 2000

Dear Minister

ARTICLE 19 is aware of the UK Government's support for democratic
development in Iran, and as you know, we have worked closely on this issue with successive UK administrations over a long period. I am therefore writing to ask you most urgently to use your influence in seeking from the Iranian authorities an undertaking to guarantee freedom of expression and intaking action, with other members of the EU, to support the implementation of internationally recognised human rights standards in Iran.

The jailing of lawyer Mohammed Ali Jedari Foroughi, reported on 30
August, is the latest in a series of grave violations of individuals' basic rights, including the right to freedom of expression, by the Iranian authorities.
Such actions are in violation of Iran's obligations as a state party
to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, the sharp
escalation in such activities since April indicates a serious
reversal of the improvements in Iran's performance noted in a resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights in that month.

Arrests and prosecutions

ARTICLE 19 is very concerned about the crackdown on the reformist
press and others advocating debate and discussion of matters of public interest, as well as attacks on peaceful protesters. We would ask you to expressthe UK Government's concern either directly or through the EU, if you feel this would be more effective. Our contacts in Iran have made it clear that such external pressure is an important support to the internal struggle for democracy.

Among the human rights violations ARTICLE 19 has been made aware of are the pre-trial detention of those accused of crimes related to freedom of expression and association, as well as the custodial sentences imposed on those found guilty. The closure or suspension of many publications advocating political reform or expressing political criticism is also contrary to Iran's guarantees of fundamental rights, and the new Press Law, as you are aware, falls far short of international standards.

Specific examples of measures taken by the authorities to repress
Free expression are:

* Action taken on grounds of national security against Hassan
Youssefi Eshkevari, Hamid Reza Jalaeipour, Khalil Rostamkhani, Ezatollah Sahabi, Ali Reza Alavi Tabar and Shahla Lahiji for having taken part in a conference
hosted by the Green Party in Berlin in April 2000.

* The trial, begun in July, of lawyers Mohsen Rahami and Sherine
Ebadi, who stand accused of producing and distributing a faked video tape defaming a number of conservative figures and officials.

* The many journalists and editors (at least 16) who have been
detained, summoned to court, imprisoned, or handed down other sentences since April 2000.

* Publications being targeted for measures including banning and
suspension. According to our information the number now stands at 28. They are: Aban, Aftab-e-Emrouze, Akhbar Eghtesad, Arya, Arzech, Asr-e-Azadegan, Azad, Bahar, Bamdad-e-Emrouze, Bamdad-e-No, Bayan, Danestaniha, Faht, Gozarech-e-Rouze,
Gunagoun, Ham-Mihan, Iran-e Farda, Javanan-e Qorveh, Mellat, Moscharekat, Neshat, Peyam Hajar, Peyam-e-Azadi, Qesse-ye Zendegi, Ruzdara, Sobh-e-Emrouz, Tavana and Techmeh-e-Ardebil.

We urge that your support for Iran's reform process includes, as a
Central element, the support of key human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, media freedom and freedom of association. We hope that the opening provided by the desire of the Iranian authorities for improved relations with the EU (as stated by the Foreign Ministry's spokesman on 29 August)
will enhance the opportunities for critical engagement in a
multi-lateral context. However, we hope that you will also take up these matters with the Iranian authorities as part of UK-Iranian bilateral relations.
Yours sincerely

Andrew Puddephatt
Executive Director

Note on media-related cases
ARTICLE 19 is particularly concerned that international law and
Standards have been breached in the following media-related cases, where information we have received indicates that individuals face charges and/or sentences for peaceful expression of their opinion. We are aware that there are a
number of others for which we do not have information at present.
Emmadedin Baghi, (journalist and member of editorial board of daily
Fath) sentenced to five and a half years for a series of charges. His
book, "The Tragedy of Democracy in Iran" was banned on 12 August 2000. His case was referred to the appeal court on 27 August.
Massoud Behnoud (journalist) detained since 9/8/00 without being
charged.
Faraneh Behzadi (publisher of bi-weekly Danestaniha) found guilty of insulting Islamic sanctities and propaganda against the state after court appearance on 21/08/00.
Fatemeh Farahmandpour, (publisher of weekly Gounagoun) found guilty of anti-state propaganda after court appearance on 21/08/00.
Akbar Ganji (investigative reporter) jailed in April on charges of
endangering national security. Mohammed Gouchani (journalist with Asr-e Azadegan) detained since 13/8/00,
awaiting charges.
Mostafa Izadi, (managing editor of daily Ava) reported on 17/8/00
that his licence to publish was withdrawn, he was banned from journalism and fined an unspecified amount.
Nasser Jafari, (director of provincial weekly Techmeh-e-Ardebil)
Sentenced on 5 August to one month in prison and a million rials for insulting top-ranking officials.
Ibrahim Nabavi (satirical journalist) detained since 13/8/00,
Awaiting charges.
Taghi Rahmani (journalist with monthly Iran-e Farda) was arrested in July 2000 for insulting the supreme leader in a speech to Shahr-e-Kord University. The case will come to court on 24 September 2000.
Latif Safari, (director of daily Neshat) found guilty of questioning
Islamic values, verdict being appealed.
Mashallah Shamsolvaezine, (editor in chief of Asr-e-Azadegan)
sentenced in April to two and a half years and fined US$4000.
Ahmand Zeid-Abadi, (journalist for Hamshahri and other publications) detained 7/8/00, awaiting charges.
Mohammed Reza Zohdi (managing director of Aryah) sentenced on 31 July to four months imprisonment, banned for two years from press activities and fined two million rials in cash.
Morteza Alviri, (managing director of daily Hamshahri) and Ali Afsahi
(managing editor of weekly Cinema-Varzesh) were also served with
summonses in late August.
Send similar appeals to the UK government.
APPEALS TO:

Peter Hain MP
Minister of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1
Fax: +44 207 270 3731