SCE: Following is a new urgent action call by Amnesty about Emadeddin Baghi, the Iranian human and children rights activist who is currently imprisoned in Iran.
In July 2007, Mr. Baghi published the first comprehensive report about child executions in Iran. It was after Mr. Baghi's report that the recorded number of the children facing execution rose drastically. Shortly after the report Mr. Baghi was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with the alleged charges of "assembly" and "conspiracy for crimes against country's security" and "propaganda against regime of Islamic Republic of Iran for benefit of foreign and opposition forces".
Regardless, Mr. Baghi continued his human rights efforts. He and his wife were also present on the scheduled day of execution of
Sina Paymard, the young flute player who was scheduled to be taken to the execution pole for the second time but was saved in July 2007 by mediations and offering blood money to the family of the alleged victim. SCE issued its first urgent call in October 2007. Mr. Baghi maintains a website at www.emadbaghi.com.Further Information on 130/08 (MDE 13/069/2008, 16 May 2008) Prisoner of conscience/ medical concern
IRAN Emadeddin Baghi (m), aged 46, human rights defender
On 9 August, Emadeddin Baghi, journalist and human rights defender, called his wife, Fatemeh Kamali Ahmad Sarahi, informing her that his transfer from Evin prison to a hospital in Tehran had been authorized by the prison doctor.
A few hours later he contacted her again saying that he had actually been transferred to Section 209 of the prison. Section 209 is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence and houses prisoners in solitary confinement.
Fatemeh Kamali Ahmad Sarahi visited her husband on 18 August. During the visit he appeared weak and complained of breathing difficulties. Emadeddin Baghi informed his wife that he had recently refused to be interrogated by the prison guards whilst being handcuffed and blindfolded. Emadeddin Baghi had received the authorization to be transferred to a hospital in Tehran for treatment for a range of ailments that have emerged since his imprisonment. Fatemeh Kamali Ahmad Sarahi is concerned that her husband is not receiving adequate medical treatment.
On 14 October 2007, Emadeddin Baghi was arrested 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. Despite several periods of medical leave, Emadeddin Baghi continues to serve this one year sentence.
Since this time Emadeddin Baghi has faced politically motivated harassment whether by way of interrogation by Ministry of Intelligence officials or the opening of new ‘criminal’ investigations against him, some while he has been detained. These have included judicial protests to his acquittal of ‘national security’ related charges in one case, and interrogation concerning interviews in which he has highlighted human rights issues both in May 2008. He has faced interrogation in connection with his work with the Association for the Defence of Prisoners’ Rights, though it is not known whether this will be a continuation of existing cases or the start of new one.
Emadeddin Baghi is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression and for his human rights work.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since December 2007, Emadeddin Baghi has suffered three seizures, the most recent on 7 May. In January and May 2008 he was granted temporary periods of medical leave, in part in response to national and international appeals. His family, lawyers and medical experts have noted that he has not been cured and doctors insisted that he should recover in a calm, quiet environment with no stressful conditions or situations.
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 is not receiving adequate medical treatment;
- urging the authorities to grant him access to the medical treatment that he needs;
- calling on them to release Emadeddin Baghi immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisone 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
His Excellency 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 the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
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: //www.president.ir/email/
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 14 October.
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WE DON"T GET IT!
by IRANdokht on Fri Sep 05, 2008 09:12 AM PDTThere are a few petitions out there about Human rights issues and are collecting dust!
We are more concerned with google calling the Gulf Arabian instead of Persian, than we are about people's lives in the IRI dungeons.
This petition that shows the world a better way to address IRI's brutal regime and help the people of Iran has collected around 70 signatures only!!!!!
//www.petitiononline.com/IranHR/petition.html
The SCE petition is still trying to reach 20,000 after all this time.
We're just not interested in real issues. We don't make noise about Human Rights abuses that are really the achilles heel of IRI regime, instead we're looking for ways to make the persians look more civilized in Hollywood!
We're more concerned with the arabic words mixed with persian language than the activists that are being tortured in jails.
Shame on all of US!
IRANdokht
We Should Not Care
by Anonymous Observer (not verified) on Fri Sep 05, 2008 07:49 AM PDTabout Mr. Baghi or the Iranian children facing execution. Why, you ask? Simple: They are not Palestinians. Look at how many comments this article has received. Five? Now, if it was a Palestinian shot with a rubber bullet...now we're talking. Everyone on this site will be tearig himself / herself talknig about human rights, Zionists, etc...
In the eyes of the readers of this site, human rights only apply Palestinians, as Iranians are not worthy of humanity or rights..
Shameful...
What a shameful country Iran has become...
by Parthian on Thu Sep 04, 2008 07:37 PM PDTThat is all I can say..
What's in the name
by Majid on Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:00 PM PDTThere are some "names" that when you hear them, it's not just a "name" any more.....it's a full story of struggle and pain behind them.
E.Baaghi is one of them, along with others, like....M.Osaanloo, A.Baatebi, A. Amir Entezaam and......
"hekaayat ham chonaan baaghist..............
What a shame!
I agree
by IRANdokht on Thu Sep 04, 2008 09:46 AM PDTIt's important for people to take action and show support for the ones who are actively speaking up against the regime's misconduct and illegal actions especially when those brave souls live in Iran and especially when they're arrested. They should not be left alone to save the country.
we all have a responsibility to support Mr Baghi and all the lawyers, journalists, student activists and human rights activists inside Iran.
Thanks for featuring this news item.
IRANdokht
A special man
by News Goffer on Thu Sep 04, 2008 08:47 AM PDTI have utmost respect for Mr. Baghi and his efforts on behalf of victims of serial killings of intellectuals, political prisoners, and children of Iran. Yes, Concerned, it is entirely too easy for the rest of us to live abroad, joke around some silly topics and when we turn to serious subjects, to get busy putting labels on others and never actually get anything done and never take any responsibility about anything. Is there anything more precious than an individual's life? It seems for the past 10 years, at least, Mr. Baghi has been giving that to his efforts to help Iran. He is a good man and if we can help in any way, we must.
what a great man... such a shame
by concerned (not verified) on Thu Sep 04, 2008 07:13 AM PDTIt's a shame that we iranians no matter how openminded and progressive we think we are, would rather read jokes about mullahs and shah and Palin and khar o olagh, instead of paying attention to such criminal actions of the IR government.
This man is in prison because he cares about iranians lives and we iranians who are sitting here comfortably in front of our monitors don't talk about him, don't take action to save him and don't even feature him for others to have an incentive to read the news.
it's truly shameful