Organisation concerned about fate of missing journalist
December 8, 1998
The International Secretariat of World Organisation Against Torture
(OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention regarding the following situation
in Iran.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat has been informed by several sources that
on 3 December 1998, Mr. Mohamad Mokhtari, a famous Iranian writer, allegedly
disappeared in Tehran.
Mr. Mohamad Mokhtari is well known for his open criticism of the Iranian
Government. In 1994, along with 134 intellectuals, he signed a public
statement calling upon the Iranian government to respect freedom of expression.
He is currently involved in efforts to set up an Iranian association of
writers.
The International Secretariat fears for his physical and psychological
integrity as in practice freedom of expression does not exist in Iran and
writers and journalists who do not share the governmental views are routinely
harassed and persecuted.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities of Iran urging them to :
i. establish the whereabouts of Mr. Mohamad Mokhtari, guarantee
his physical and psychological integrity and order his immediate release
should he be found to be detained without valid charges or should such
charges exist, bring him to trial before a competent and impartial tribunal
and guarantee his due process rights ;
ii. carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the facts
alleged in order to identify those responsible, bring them before a competent
court and impose upon them the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions
required by law;
iii.ensure that any person detained for whatever valid reason be brought
without delay before a competent court or judicial authority which will
rule on the case;
iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms in Iran, in accordance with international human rights standards.
Addresses
His Excellency Hojatoleslam val-moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatami
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fax: + 98 21 311 6276 (via Foreign Affairs, ask for fax to be forwarded)
e-mail: iranemb@salamiran.org
Geneva, 8 December 1998
Kindly inform us of any action taken quoting the code of the present
appeal in your reply
Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
37-39 Rue de Vermont
Case postale 119
CH-1211 Geneve 20 CIC
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 733 31 40
Fax : 0041 22 733 10 51
E-mail : omct@omct.org
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