Fear for Safety of Journalists
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
* PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/13/99 UA 141/99
Fear for safety of Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, age 39, journalist Hossein Kashani,
journalist
22 June 1999 IRAN
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Heshmatollah Tabarzadi,
editor-in-chief of the weekly newsletter Hoveyat-e-Khish (Our Identity),
and Hossein Kashani, its director, who have been arrested after questioning
about publishing information contrary to "public order and the public
interest". On 16 June 1999, Hossein Kashani was summoned to a tribunal
at the office of the revolutionary prosecutor, in Evin prison, and arrested
after questioning.
Heshmatollah Tabarzadi was called to the same office for questioning
the following day, and was also arrested. They have both been detained
in Evin prison since then, and have not been granted access to family or
legal representation. The precise charges brought against them are not
clear and have not been officially announced. Before Hossein Kashani was
arrested the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a statement
saying that it intended to charge Hoveyat-e-Khish with publishing "deceitful
and offensive" articles.
Heshmatollah Tabarzadi gave a radio interview the day before his arrest,
in which he reportedly criticised aspects of government policy. He also
reportedly criticised President Khatami's position on the arrest of at
least 13 people, thought to include Iranian Jews, rabbis and religious
teachers, who have been charged with espionage and spying for the USA and
Israel (see UA 133/99, MDE 13/11/99, 8 June 1999).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Hoveyat-e-Khish has only published three issues to date. Heshmatollah
Tabarzadi was previously the editor of the student newsletter Payam-e Daneshjou
(Students' Message), which was banned after complaints from a number of
government officials. In 1998, shortly after he had reportedly criticised
the Iranian leadership in Payam-e Daneshjou, he was attacked and beaten
by a group of unknown men who raided the office of the Islamic Students'
Association. He is now the president of the Association as well as the
editor-in-chief of Hoveyat-e-Khish.
On 25 May 1999, shortly before he was scheduled to speak at a protest
rally at Tehran University, student activist Manuchehr Mohammadi was attacked
and driven off in a car by five unknown men. Gholamreza Mohajeri-Nezhad,
another student leader, was also detained on 30 May. They were released
at the beginning of June, but a number of people who attended the rally
are said to be still in fear for their safety (see UA MDE 13/09/99, 26
May 1999 and UA MDE 13/12/99, 11 June 1999).
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in English or your
own language: - seeking urgent clarification from the authorities of the
exact charges which have been brought against Hossein Kashani and Heshmatollah
Tabarzadi; - seeking assurances that they will be allowed access to family
and legal representation of their choice; - urging the authorities to
take concrete measures to guarantee the security of all other students
activists and government critics believed to be at risk.
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic
Republic of Iran
Telegrams: Ayatollah Khamenei, Tehran, Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
President
His Excellency Hojjatoleslam val Moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatami
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, The Islamic
Republic of Iran
Telegrams: President Khatami, Tehran, Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi Ministry of Justice Park-e Shahr,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams: Head of the Judiciary, Tehran, Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of the Interior
His Excellency Moussavi Lari
Ministry of the Interior Dr Fatemi Avenue Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams: Interior Minister, Tehran, Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency Kamal Kharrazi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Avenue Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Mr Mohammad Hassan Zia'i-Far
Secretary, Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 13165-137 Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Faxes: + 98 21 204 0541
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 3 August 1999.
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