- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
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22 September 2010
Further information on UA 194/10 (7 September 2010; 10 September 2010)- Arbitrary detention/ Mass arrest/ Intimidation/ Freedom of expression
SWAZILAND
Sikhumbuzo Phakathi
Nearly 50 activists (human rights defenders, trade unionists & political activists)
Please stop sending appeals about the security forces’ harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders and peaceful demonstrators from 6-8 September in Swaziland.
Between 6 and 8 September, human rights defenders, trade unionists and political activists in Swaziland were arbitrarily detained, assaulted and intimidated, as security forces attempted to disrupt two days of planned protest marches. The security forces conducted mass arrests with no legal basis and held human rights defenders, political opposition leaders and foreign trade union officials in unlawful detention. Instead of holding the security forces accountable, the Prime Minister of Swaziland appeared to condone their actions, suggesting during a press conference on 8 September that torture should be considered as a form of punishment against interfering foreigners and dissidents.
Over the past week the level of harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders and activists appears to have declined and no further incidents have been reported. However, no one has been brought to justice for the human rights violations that took place between 6 and 8 September. Although the Prime Minister and his office have made subsequent statements to “clarify” his comments about the use of torture, none of these reported statements amount to a clear rejection of the use of torture.
In addition to appeals sent in line with this Urgent Action, organizations in Swaziland and other international institutions have put pressure on the Prime Minister to retract his statement condoning torture.
Amnesty International’s human rights concerns have now been brought to the Prime Minister of Swaziland’s attention through this Urgent Action campaign. We request that no more appeals are sent at this point.
No further action is required. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.
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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
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Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.509.8193
Fax: 202.675.8566
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
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For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa34709.pdf
Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have
received the original UA when issued on December 22, 2009. Thanks!
22 September 2010
Further information on UA 347/09 (22 December 2009) and follow-ups (14 September 2010; 23 August 2010; 21 May 2010; 18 March 2010; 19 February 2010 and 5 February 2010) - Prisoner of conscience/ Risk of torture
IRAN
Shiva Nazar Ahari (f) ]
Kouhyar Goudarzi (m) ] human rights activists
Saeed Ha’eri (m) ]
Saeed Ha’eri, a member of the Committee of Human Right Reporters (CHRR), which campaigns against human rights violations in Iran, is at risk of being flogged after being sentenced to 74 lashes. He and Shiva Nazar Ahari, another CHRR member have also been given prison terms.
On 18 September 2010, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced student activist Saeed Ha’eri and journalist and human rights defender Shiva Nazar Ahari to lashes and prison terms. They have the right to appeal.
Shiva Nazar Ahari's sentence of 74 lashes for “disturbing public order” was commuted to a fine of four million rials, (equivalent to approximately US$400). She has also been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, consisting of three and a half years for “moharebeh” (enmity against God) to be served in internal exile at Izeh Prison, Khuzestan province almost 180 km from her family. It is unclear whether Izeh Prison even has facilities for women. She was also sentenced to two years for “gathering and colluding to commit a crime” and six months for “propaganda against the system,” Her lawyer, Mohammad Sharif, says that he intends to lodge an appeal against her conviction and sentence.
Saeed Ha’eri was sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order” and “gathering and colluding with intent to harm state security”. A third member of CHRR Kouhyar Goudarzi, remains in prison, serving a one year sentence.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The CHRR was founded in 2006 and campaigns against a wide range of human rights violations, including abuses against women, children, prisoners, workers and others. Amnesty International believes that the sentences of Saeed Ha’eri, Shiva Nazar Ahari and Kouhyar Goudarzi are related to their peaceful work campaigning in support of human rights.
Shiva Nazar Ahari was arrested on 20 December 2009 along with, Kouhyar Goudarzi and Saeed Haeri, two male CHRR members. They were taken from a bus while on their way to the funeral of a senior cleric critical of the authorities, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, which was to take place the following day. Other CHRR members were arrested later, though have all been released on bail. Some have since left the country.
Shiva Nazar Ahari was released on bail on 13 September 2010 and remains free pending her appeal. Saeed Ha’eri was released on bail in March 2010, and was summoned by telephone to appear before a court on 4 September 2010 on charges of “propaganda against the system” and “gathering and colluding with intent to harm state security. He also remains free, pending an appeal.
Kouhyar Goudarzi was sentenced on or around 2 June 2010 to one year’s imprisonment for “spreading propaganda against the system by effective cooperation with the website of the CHRR, gathering and circulating news directed against the system and passing on this news to terrorist organizations based outside the country as well as giving interviews to foreign media and publishing articles on websites.” He is held while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
Judicial officials and pro-government news agencies have accused the CHRR and its members of contacting a banned group, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). For example, in January 2010, the Tehran Prosecutor, Abbas Ja’fari Dowlatabadi, told Shiva Nazar Ahari's family in a meeting: "Experts of the case have reported that the website for the Committee is linked to 'hypocrites' (the authorities' term for the PMOI), and any collaboration with the Committee is considered a crime." The CHRR and Shiva Nazar Ahari have strenuously denied these accusations. In a statement published on 29 January 2010, CHRR members stated that “the Ministry of Intelligence, despite full knowledge of the complete independence of CHRR from all political groups, whether domestic or foreign, is trying to falsely link the Committee to political organizations. The claims that the Committee is linked to Mujahedin Khalgh Organization (MKO) is considered nothing but an attempt by Intelligence experts to eliminate a reputable group that has been active in the field of human rights from its conception.”
In 1998 the UN adopted the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders which, although not legally binding, draws together provisions from other legally binding conventions and covenants most relevant to HRDs. The Declaration sets out the prime responsibility of states to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection of everyone who exercises their right to defend human rights. Amongst other things, the Declaration affirms the rights to defend human rights; to freedom of association; to document human rights abuses; to seek resources for human rights work; to criticize the functioning of government bodies and agencies and to access international protection bodies. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is state party guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
Amnesty International is campaigning for the CHRR to be able to carry out its human rights work without fear of reprisals, for all charges faced by CHRR members pertaining to their human rights activities to be dropped. Those held solely for their peaceful human rights work should be released immediately and unconditionally.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the Iranian authorities to ensure that Saeed Ha’eri is not subjected to the cruel punishment of flogging;
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Kouhyar Goudarzi, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association and meanwhile for him to have immediate and regular access to his family and lawyer;
- Calling on the Iranian authorities to review the cases against Shiva Nazar Ahari, Saeed Ha’eri, Kouhyar Goudarzi and any other member of the CHRR and ensure that they are not held for their peaceful human rights activities;
- Reminding the Iranian authorities that everybody has the right to promote, develop and protect human rights by lawful and peaceful means. This includes the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly which are protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party.
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street,
Tehran ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email: info_leader@leader.ir
via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh 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
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
Bureau of International Affairs,
Office of the Head of the Judiciary,
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com
Fax: 011 98 21 5 537 8827 (please keep trying)
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 202 965 4990
Fax: 1 202 965 1073
Email: requests@daftar.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 3 November 2010.
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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.
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
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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