Persian2English/2011-03-02 - Navid Khanjani, a member of two Iranian human rights organizations, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on 31 January 2011. He has appealed, but an appeal hearing date has not yet been set. If imprisoned, he would be a prisoner of conscience, held solely in connection with his peaceful human rights activities.
Navid Khanjani is a member of both the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) and the Association to Oppose Discrimination in Education (AODE). He was arrested in Esfahan, central Iran, on 2 March 2010. He faced an unfair trial on 20 December 2010 in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He was reportedly sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in connection with his work with the AODE; and five for his work with the CHRR. An additional three years were said to have been handed down for “creating unease in the public mind”, and “propaganda against the system”. Navid Khanjani was eventually sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after the court reportedly applied ‘Islamic mercy’.
During his detention, Navid Khanjani was held for between 23 and 25 days in solitary confinement; was beaten while interrogated, and was strangled while blindfolded by a prison official for refusing to “confess” on camera. The unfair trial was based on allegations which did not constitute internationally recognizable criminal offences, and he was not able to access legal advice of his choice until just prior to his trial. It was a closed hearing, with only plain clothed security officials and Navid Khanjani’s lawyer allowed to attend. He was eventually released on a US$100,000 bail on 3 May 2010.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, English, Arabic, French, or your own language:
Calling on the Iranian authorities to review Navid Khanjani’s conviction immediately with a view to dropping the charges as he would be a prisoner of conscience charged solely for his peaceful human rights activities, if he were to be imprisoned;
Expressing concern that the ill-treatment Navid Khanjani faced in custody as well as the procedural irregularities which marred his trial meant that he did not have a fair trial; and
Specifically reminding the authorities that confessions extracted under duress are prohibited under Article 38 of the Constitution of Iran and that Article 14(g) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party, guarantees the right not to testify against oneself or to confess guilt.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 11 APRIL 2011 TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Provincial Judiciary in Tehran
Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue, Corner of Alley 17, No. 152
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei
And copies to:
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammad Javad Larijani
High Council for Human Rights
[Care of] Office of the Head of the Judiciary, Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737,Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (In subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
Salutation: Dear Sir
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the eighth update of UA 347/09.
Further information: http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/090/2010/en