November 7, 2003

RAPID ACTION NETWORK 7 October 2003

 

IRAN

The Writers in Prison Committee of English PEN is seriously concerned about the health of journalist Mohsen Sazegara, who was reportedly transferred from Evin Prison to Baghiatollah Hospital on 2 October 2003. Sazegara suffers from a serious heart condition, and is said to have been severely weakened by a hunger strike in prison. His family has reportedly not been allowed to visit him and has not been given any news about his health since 14 August 2003. Mohsen Sazegara was sentenced on 27 September 2003 to one year’s imprisonment for "insulting the Supreme Guide of the Islamic Republic".

According to our information, Mohsen Sazegara, editor of the Internet news web-site Alliran and the banned reformist dailies Jameh, Neshat and Tous, was arrested on 15 June 2003 after publishing an article on his website www.alliran.net in which he called for "a profound change of the constitution". He was held at Evin Prison, reportedly without charge, and has been denied regular access to his family and lawyer. He was due to be released on bail on 25 August 2003, but on 1 September 2003 a statement issued by the judiciary claimed that he had not been released due to the existence of a "file" of unspecified allegations against him dating from 2002. His trial began in camera on 6 September 2003 and on 27 September 2003 he was reportedly sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for "insulting the Supreme Guide of the Islamic Republic". Full details of the charges against him remain unclear.

Sazegara has undergone two heart operations in recent years, and is in need of regular medication. There are concerns that he may be denied access to this medication in prison. He has been on hunger-strike, taking only water, for much of the time since his arrest, and is said to have been transferred to Baghiatollah Hospital in Tehran five times, most recently on 2 October 2003. There are serious concerns for his health.

Sazegara is known for his outspoken criticism of the Iranian authorities.

English PEN considers Mohsen Sazegara to be detained in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a signatory, and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release. PEN is seriously concerned about Sazegara’s health, and seeks assurances that he is receiving all necessary medical treatment and seeks guarantees about his state of health as a matter of urgency.

 

Please send appeals:

§ protesting the detention of journalist Mohsen Sazegara, and calling for

his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a signatory;

§ expressing serious concerns for the health of Mohsen Sazegara, and seeking assurances that he is receiving the regular medication he requires and guarantees about his state of health as a matter of urgency;

§ Calling for Sazegara to be granted immediate access to his family, lawyer

and doctor.

 

Appeals to:

His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khameni

The Presidency

Palestine Avenue

Azerbaijan Intersection

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

His Excellency Hojjatoleslam Sayed Mohammad Khatami

The Presidency

Palestine Avenue

Azerbaijan Intersection

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi

Head of the Judiciary

Ministry of Justice

Park-e Shahr

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

His Excellency Kamal Kharrazi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av

Tehran

Islamic Republic of Iran

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

If you wish to respond to this RAN please write 1- 4 appeals (to the govt officials above).

 

Please note that there are no fax numbers available for the Iranian authorities, so please fax c/o HE Ambassador Morteza Sarmadi:

His Excellency Morteza Sarmadi

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

16 Prince’s Gate

London SW7 1PT

Fax: 020 7589 4440

Salutation: Your Excellency

 

 

FOR A PRO FORMA LETTER PLEASE GO TO: /writersinprison/rapidactionnetwork/

 

Please remember to send a copy of your appeal to rapidactionnetwork@englishpen.org

Or fax: 020 7713 0005

 

: Journalist Mohsen Sazegara sentenced; serious health concerns.

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