The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), has received new information and requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Iran:
The Observatory has been informed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) about the release of Mr. Reza Dehghan, a member of the Founding Committee of Painters Union (Syndica Nagash), who was arbitrarily detained since November 18, 2007.
According to the information received, on December 16, 2007, Mr. Reza Dehghan was released, along with Mr. Ebrahim Madadi, Vice-President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Syndica Sherkate-Vahed), who was detained since August 9, 2007.
The Observatory welcomes the release of Mr. Reza Dehghan and of Mr. Ebrahim Madadi and wishes to thank all the persons, organisations, and institutions that intervened in their favour. Nevertheless, the Observatory recalls that Iranian human rights defenders, including trade union leaders, are increasingly subjected to acts of harassment.
In addition, the Observatory remains very concerned at the treatment of Mr. Mahmoud Salehi, spokesperson for the Organisation Committee to Establish Trade Unions and former President of the Saqez Bakers’ Union, who is being kept in harsh prison conditions in Sanandaj despite his very poor health and fears that his life might be at severe risk[1].
The Observatory further recalls that Iran had committed to “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights”[2] by presenting its candidacy to the Human Rights Council 2006 election and had insisted in this regard on the fact that the country had “continuously put great efforts into safeguarding the status and inherent dignity of the human person as well as the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms”[3]. In order to ensure the continuation of these efforts, the Observatory urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to conform with international human rights standards.
On November 18, 2007, Mr. Reza Dehghan was summoned to court for questioning and was then arrested. He was subsequently brought to Evin Prison. No information could be obtained as regards the reasons for his arrest. Yet, the Observatory believes that it might have been linked to his trade union activities and his vocal support of Mr. Mansour Osanloo, President of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkat-e Vahed), arbitrarily detained since July 2007[4].
Please write to the authorities in Iran urging them to:
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Geneva-Paris, December 18, 2007
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need. The Observatory was the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
E-mail: Appeals@fidh-omct.org
Tel and fax FIDH + 33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / +33 1 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT + 41 (0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 22 809 49 29
[1] See Observatory Urgent Appeal IRN 003/0805/OBS 074.2, issued on July 12, 2007.
[2] In accordance with GA resolution A/RES/60/251 establishing the Human Rights Council.
[3] http://www.un.org/ga/60/elect/hrc/iran.pdf
[4] See Observatory Urgent Appeals IRN 005/0707/OBS 077, OBS 077.1, OBS 077.2, OBS 077.3 and OBS 077.4, issued respectively on July 11, July 13, September 7, October 22 and October 23, 2007.
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