DI: No To Death Penalty

Unfortunately, five prisoners were executed on May 9, 2010. 

DI affirms the necessity for an immediate intervention by the United Nations and the international community in order to halt these scheduled executions.

Names: Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirin Alam Hoolo (female), Shirkoh Moarefi (male), Habibollah Latifi [1] (male), Sami Husseini (male), Jammal Mohammedi (male), Rostam Arkiya (male), Fasih Yasmani (he was executed on 6 January 2010), Rashid Akhkandi (male), Hossein Khezri (male), Farzad Kamangar [2] (male), Ali Heydariyan (male), Farhad Wakeli (male), Mostafa Sallimi (male), Anwar Rostami (male), Mohammed Amin Agushi (male), Irec Mohammedi (male), Ahmed Pulad Khani (male), Hassen Taliye (male) , Arez Mohammedzade (male), Mohammed Amin Abdulahi (male), Qadi Mohammedzade (male), and Habibollah Golpari (male).

Authorities: Iranian  

Category: Death penalty / Prisoners of conscience / Arbitrary detentions / Fear of torture or ill-treatments

The cases:

At least 22 political activists are feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran's detention centers. Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, accused of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

Ms. Zeynab Jalaliyan, political activist, aged 27, was arrested in 2008 in the city of Kermanshah, located in the western part of Iran. She was immediately transferred to the Iranian intelligence ministry's detention center. Her trial, which was held behind closed doors, lasted only a few minutes, during which time she was convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God"). Iran's Supreme Court has confirmed her death sentence.

Ms. Jalaliyan was born in Maku town in the northwestern part of the West Azerbaijan province of Iran.

Ms. Shirin Alam Hoolo, political activist, aged 28, has been in prison for the last one and a half years. She has also been convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and thereby sentenced to death. She was hanged on May 9, 2010. Her appeal was still ongoing at the time of her death.

Mr. Shirkoh Moarefi, aged 30, was detained in October 2008 in the city of Saqqz, in the Kurdistan Province of Iran. He has been convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and "endangering state security."

Click HERE to read about Mr. Habibollah Latifi.

Click HERE to read about Mr. Farzad Kamangar who was executed on 9 May 2010.

The Kurdish political activist Mr. Rostam Arkiya has also been accused of membership of an unlawful organisation. He was sentenced to death and is jailed now in Maku detention center.

The Kurdish political prisoner Mr. Fasih Yasmani has been convicted of membership of an illegal organisation. He was sentenced to death without having been previously informed of the nature of the charges against him.

The Kurdish political activists, Mr. Farhad Wakeli and Mr. Ali Heydariyan, are from the city of Sanandaj and have been charged with membership of an unlawful organisation. They were executed on 9 May 2010.

DI Views & Demands:

Defend International urges Iran to stop the execution of the political activists Zeynab Jalaliyan, Shirin Alam Hoolo and 20 others, and encourages the Iranian authorities to review death penalty in light of International Human Rights Law.

Defend International condemns the execution of Ehsan Fatahiyan [3] on the morning of 11 November 2009, and warns the authorities not to make the same mistake again.

Likewise, we condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. The executions were carried out in Evin prison in Tehran.

DI hopes that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty, as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

DI campaign:

Please copy the following appeals, add your signature and address and send them to arrive as soon as possible.

With thanks and appreciation

Defend International

 ـــــــــــــــــ

Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

United Nations, S-378

New York, NY 10017

USA

Fax: 212-963-7055

Subject: Please forward to His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon

Your Excellency,

I would like to draw your attention to the case of at least 18 Kurdish political activists feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran. The prisoner's names are: Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirkoh Moarefi (male), Habibollah Latifi (male), Sami Husseini (male), Jammal Mohammedi (male), Rostam Arkiya (male), Rashid Akhkandi (male), Hossein Khezri (male), Mostafa Sallimi (male), Anwar Rostami (male), Mohammed Amin Agushi (male), Irec Mohammedi (male), Ahmed Pulad Khani (male), Hassen Taliye (male), Arez Mohammedzade (male), Mohammed Amin Abdulahi (male), Qadi Mohammedzade (male), and Habibollah Golpari (male). Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

I affirm the necessity for an immediate intervention by the United Nations and the international community in order to halt these scheduled executions. I would also ask you to urge the Iranian authorities to immediately provide prisoners with medical attention, if needed, and to protect them from any further torture or ill-treatment. 

I strongly condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. I hope that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

I wish that the Secretary-General, in accordance with his mandate, will be able to prepare a report on the human rights situation in Iran. At such a time, the matter of Iranian nuclear weapons should not overshadow the human rights issues the people there are facing on a daily basis.

I would unite my voice with that of the General Assembly in its country-specific resolution on Iran adopted in November 2008, and call on Iran's government to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views.  

Iran should consolidate its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, on an equal footing and without exception. The Iranian authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure that being a member of minority ethnicity did not become the reason for criminal punishment, especially executions, arrests or detention. Human rights violations due to intolerance and other forms of discrimination must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be held accountable.

I further condemn any action or attempt by Iran or its public officials to legalise, authorise or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions. I'd like to highlight that the UN Assembly had emphasized that acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and that the perpetrators of all acts of torture must be prosecuted and punished. Therefore, I call for a transparent and independent body to investigate allegations of torture and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.

Iran must take steps to reform its criminal justice system and to declare a moratorium on executions.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Respectfully yours,

________________________

Ms. Navanethem Pillay

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

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Dear Commissioner,

I would like to draw your attention to the case of at least 18 Kurdish political activists feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran. The prisoner's names are: Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirkoh Moarefi (male), Habibollah Latifi (male), Sami Husseini (male), Jammal Mohammedi (male), Rostam Arkiya (male), Rashid Akhkandi (male), Hossein Khezri (male), Mostafa Sallimi (male), Anwar Rostami (male), Mohammed Amin Agushi (male), Irec Mohammedi (male), Ahmed Pulad Khani (male), Hassen Taliye (male), Arez Mohammedzade (male), Mohammed Amin Abdulahi (male), Qadi Mohammedzade (male), and Habibollah Golpari (male). Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

I affirm the necessity for an immediate intervention by the United Nations and the international community in order to halt these scheduled executions. I would also ask you to urge the Iranian authorities to immediately provide prisoners with medical attention, if needed, and to protect them from any further torture or ill-treatment. 

I strongly condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. I hope that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

I wish that the Secretary-General, in accordance with his mandate, will be able to prepare a report on the human rights situation in Iran. At such a time, the matter of Iranian nuclear weapons should not overshadow the human rights issues the people there are facing on a daily basis.

I would unite my voice with that of the General Assembly in its country-specific resolution on Iran adopted in November 2008, and call on Iran's government to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views.  

Iran should consolidate its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, on an equal footing and without exception. The Iranian authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure that being a member of minority ethnicity did not become the reason for criminal punishment, especially executions, arrests or detention. Human rights violations due to intolerance and other forms of discrimination must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be held accountable.

I further condemn any action or attempt by Iran or its public officials to legalise, authorise or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions. I'd like to highlight that the UN Assembly had emphasized that acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and that the perpetrators of all acts of torture must be prosecuted and punished. Therefore, I call for a transparent and independent body to investigate allegations of torture and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.

Iran must take steps to reform its criminal justice system and to declare a moratorium on executions.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

________________________

The Universal Periodic Review UPR

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Dear UPR Working Group,

I would like to draw your attention to the case of at least 18 Kurdish political activists feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran. The prisoner's names are: Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirkoh Moarefi (male), Habibollah Latifi (male), Sami Husseini (male), Jammal Mohammedi (male), Rostam Arkiya (male), Rashid Akhkandi (male), Hossein Khezri (male), Mostafa Sallimi (male), Anwar Rostami (male), Mohammed Amin Agushi (male), Irec Mohammedi (male), Ahmed Pulad Khani (male), Hassen Taliye (male), Arez Mohammedzade (male), Mohammed Amin Abdulahi (male), Qadi Mohammedzade (male), and Habibollah Golpari (male). Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

I affirm the necessity for an immediate intervention by the United Nations and the international community in order to halt these scheduled executions. I would also ask you to urge the Iranian authorities to immediately provide prisoners with medical attention, if needed, and to protect them from any further torture or ill-treatment. 

I strongly condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. I hope that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

I wish that the Secretary-General, in accordance with his mandate, will be able to prepare a report on the human rights situation in Iran. At such a time, the matter of Iranian nuclear weapons should not overshadow the human rights issues the people there are facing on a daily basis.

I would unite my voice with that of the General Assembly in its country-specific resolution on Iran adopted in November 2008, and call on Iran's government to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views.  

Iran should consolidate its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, on an equal footing and without exception. The Iranian authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure that being a member of minority ethnicity did not become the reason for criminal punishment, especially executions, arrests or detention. Human rights violations due to intolerance and other forms of discrimination must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be held accountable.

I further condemn any action or attempt by Iran or its public officials to legalise, authorise or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions. I'd like to highlight that the UN Assembly had emphasized that acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and that the perpetrators of all acts of torture must be prosecuted and punished. Therefore, I call for a transparent and independent body to investigate allegations of torture and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.

Iran must take steps to reform its criminal justice system and to declare a moratorium on executions.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

________________________

Leader of the Islamic Republic,

His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei,
The Office of the Supreme Leader,
Shoahada Street,
Qom,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Faxes: + 98.21.649.5880 / 21.774.2228,
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Or via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter

Your Excellency,

By this letter I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of at least 18 Kurdish political activists, all feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran's detention centers. Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

I urge you to commute the death sentence of Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirkoh Moarefi, Habibollah Latifi, Sami Husseini, Jammal Mohammedi, Rostam Arkiya, Rashid Akhkandi, Hossein Khezri, Mostafa Sallimi, Anwar Rostami, Mohammed Amin Agushi, Irec Mohammedi, Ahmed Pulad Khani, Hassen Taliye, Arez Mohammedzade, Mohammed Amin Abdulahi, Qadi Mohammedzade, and Habibollah Golpari. 

I would unite my voice with that of the General Assembly in its country-specific resolution on Iran adopted in November 2008, and call on Iran's government to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views.  

I strongly condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. I hope that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

I urge Iran to consolidate its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, on an equal footing and without exception. Further, I urge the Iranian authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that being a member of minority ethnicity did not become the reason for criminal punishment, especially executions, arrests or detention. Human rights violations due to intolerance and other forms of discrimination must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be held accountable.

I further condemn any action or attempt by Iran or its public officials to legalise, authorise or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions. According to the UN Assembly, acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and the perpetrators of all acts of torture must be prosecuted and punished. I call for a transparent and independent body to investigate allegations of torture and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.

Prisoners with health problems must be treated without forced intervention.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

________________________

Head of the Judicial system of Iran,
His Excellency Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani,
Office of the Head of the Judiciary

Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave.
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
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or via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspx

Your Excellency,

By this letter I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of at least 18 Kurdish political activists, all feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran's detention centers. Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

I urge you to commute the death sentence of Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirkoh Moarefi, Habibollah Latifi, Sami Husseini, Jammal Mohammedi, Rostam Arkiya, Rashid Akhkandi, Hossein Khezri, Mostafa Sallimi, Anwar Rostami, Mohammed Amin Agushi, Irec Mohammedi, Ahmed Pulad Khani, Hassen Taliye, Arez Mohammedzade, Mohammed Amin Abdulahi, Qadi Mohammedzade and Habibollah Golpari.

I would unite my voice with that of the General Assembly in its country-specific resolution on Iran adopted in November 2008, and call on Iran's government to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views.  

I strongly condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. I hope that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

I urge Iran to consolidate its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, on an equal footing and without exception. Further, I urge the Iranian authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that being a member of minority ethnicity did not become the reason for criminal punishment, especially executions, arrests or detention. Human rights violations due to intolerance and other forms of discrimination must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be held accountable.

I further condemn any action or attempt by Iran or its public officials to legalise, authorise or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions. According to the UN Assembly, acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and the perpetrators of all acts of torture must be prosecuted and punished. I call for a transparent and independent body to investigate allegations of torture and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.

Prisoners with health problems must be treated without forced intervention.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

________________________

President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Fax: + 98.21.649.5880,
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Your Excellency,

By this letter I would like to express my deepest concern about the safety of at least 18 Kurdish political activists, all feared to be at imminent risk of execution in Iran's detention centers. Almost all of them have reportedly been tortured, convicted of being a mohareb ("enemy of God") and/or "endangering state security" and sentenced to death after unfair trials.

I urge you to commute the death sentence of Zeynab Jalaliyan (female), Shirkoh Moarefi, Habibollah Latifi, Sami Husseini, Jammal Mohammedi, Rostam Arkiya, Rashid Akhkandi, Hossein Khezri, Mostafa Sallimi, Anwar Rostami, Mohammed Amin Agushi, Irec Mohammedi, Ahmed Pulad Khani, Hassen Taliye, Arez Mohammedzade, Mohammed Amin Abdulahi, Qadi Mohammedzade and Habibollah Golpari.

I would unite my voice with that of the General Assembly in its country-specific resolution on Iran adopted in November 2008, and call on Iran's government to end the harassment, intimidation and persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders, including by releasing persons imprisoned arbitrarily or on the basis of their political views.  

I strongly condemn the execution of Shirin Alam Hoolo, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydariyan, Farhad Wakeli, and Mehdi Eslamiyan on May 9, 2010. I hope that Iran will take a step  in the near future toward abolishing the death penalty as it is an extreme form of human rights violations. 

I urge Iran to consolidate its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights for all, on an equal footing and without exception. Further, I urge the Iranian authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that being a member of minority ethnicity did not become the reason for criminal punishment, especially executions, arrests or detention. Human rights violations due to intolerance and other forms of discrimination must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be held accountable.

I further condemn any action or attempt by Iran or its public officials to legalise, authorise or acquiesce in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under any circumstances, including on grounds of national security or through judicial decisions. According to the UN Assembly, acts of torture can constitute crimes against humanity and the perpetrators of all acts of torture must be prosecuted and punished. I call for a transparent and independent body to investigate allegations of torture and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.

Prisoners with health problems must be treated without forced intervention.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

________________________

Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28,
1209 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +41 22 7330203,
Email: