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Iran:
Prisoner of conscience / medical concern: Emadeddin Baghi (m)
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/069/2008
16 May 2008
UA 130/08 Prisoner of
conscience/Medical concern
IRAN
Emadeddin Baghi (m), aged 46, human rights
defender
Journalist and human rights
defender Emadeddin Baghi
suffered a seizure on 7 May in Tehran's
Evin prison; he was treated in the prison hospital
and sent back to his cell the same day. Amnesty International is concerned that
Emadeddin Baghi is not
receiving adequate medical treatment, putting his life in danger.
Emadeddin Baghi was arrested on 14 October 2007 when he responded to
a summons to appear before Branch 14 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. He was questioned about his
activities as head of an NGO, the Association for the Defence
of Prisoners’ Rights. He was accused of “publishing secret government
documents”. Court officials set bail at 500 million Rials
(approx. US$54,000). While his family were in the
process of delivering the money, they were told that instead of being released
on bail, he must serve a suspended sentence of one year's imprisonment, which
had been imposed after an unfair trial in 2003, during which he had no access
to a lawyer. The court authorities revoked the bail, and Emaddedin
Baghi was immediately returned to prison. Amnesty
International considers him a prisoner of conscience, held solely for
peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
On 26 December 2007, while in
solitary confinement in Evin prison in Tehran, Emadeddin Baghi suffered the
first of two seizures. He was taken to hospital, where he had a second seizure.
Despite this, he was returned to prison the following day. On 17 January 2008
he was moved to hospital and granted bail for one month’s treatment, until 26
February. This was extended, and he returned to prison on 16 April, although
his doctors insisted that he should convalesce in a calm, quiet environment
with no stressful conditions or situations. Emadeddin
Baghi was brought before Branch 12 of the Revolutionary Court
in Tehran for
further interrogation on 7 May. That day he suffered a heart attack: he was
treated at the prison’s medical facility, and sent back to his cell that
evening. He found that his cell had been ransacked: his books, his writings and
the file he was preparing for his defence had been
taken. His family were allowed to visit him on 13 May,
and found him to be very weak and pale.
On 29 April, Emaddedin
Baghi had been acquitted by Branch 44 of the Appeal
Court of "activities against national security" and "publicity
in favour of the regime’s opponents," for which
he could have received three years’ imprisonment. However, new charges have
been brought against him. These relate to his use of the media to criticize the
behaviour of the prison authorities in 2006 when they
tried to stop Sayed Ali Akbar Mousavi-Kho’ini
from attending his father’s funeral while he was detained there. See UA 181/06
(MDE 13/075/2006, 30 June 2006) and follow ups (MDE 13/109/2006, 26 September
2006; MDE 13/003/2007, 17 January 2007).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Iranian legislation severely
restricts freedom of expression and association, and human rights defenders
often face harassment, imprisonment and torture.
The Iranian Constitution protects
freedom of expression and belief: Article 23 states that “The investigation of
individuals’ beliefs is forbidden” and that “No one may be molested or taken to
task simply for holding a certain belief.” Article 24 provides for freedom of
expression in press and publications. Iran is a state party to
international human rights treaties that enshrine these rights, notably the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Penal Code contains a number
of vaguely worded provisions relating to association and "national
security" which prohibit a range of activities, many of them connected
with journalism or public discourse, which are permitted under international
human rights law. Human rights defenders are often imprisoned on politically
motivated criminal charges. Many are subject to travel bans that prevent them
from leaving the country.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English, French
or your own language:
- expressing concern that Emadeddin Baghi, who suffered two
seizures on 7 May, is not receiving adequate medical treatment;
- urging the authorities to grant
him immediate and unconditional access to the medical treatment that he needs;
- calling on them to release Emadeddin Baghi immediately and
unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the
peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader,
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran,
Islamic Republic
of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir
Salutation: Your
Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud
Hashemi Shahroudi
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: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir
(In subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your
Excellency
Minister of Intelligence
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Ministry of Intelligence, Second Negarestan Street,
Pasdaran
Avenue, Tehran,
Islamic Republic
of Iran
Salutation: Your
Excellency
COPIES TO:
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan
Intersection
Tehran,
Islamic Republic
of Iran
Fax: + 98 21 6 649 5880
Email:
dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
via website: http://www.president.ir/email/
Director, Human Rights
Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
C/o Office of the Deputy for
International Affairs
Ministry of Justice,
Ministry of Justice
Building, Panzdah-Khordad
(Ark) Square,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic
of Iran
Fax: + 98 21 5 537 8827 (please
keep trying)
and
to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending
appeals after 27 June 2008.
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