Case IRN 040311
Enforced disappearance/ Risk of torture and ill-treatment/ Fear for the physical and psychological integrity
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Iran.
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source about the enforced disappearance of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, two opposition leaders[1], along with their wives, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi, since 24 February 2011. OMCT fears for their safety.
According to the information received by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, on 14 February 2011, the aforementioned persons were confined in their homes, in Teheran, under an illegal “house arrest”, with no arrest warrant, summons or charge, after Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mr. Mehdi Karroubi called for public demonstrations in solidarity with Egyptian and Tunisian pro-democracy activists[2]. Their homes were reportedly surrounded by uniformed and plain-closed security forces. Family members and associates were not allowed to their homes and communication, including the phone, was cut off.
According to the same information, around 24 February 2011, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi were transferred from their homes to an unknown location, reportedly a “safe house”[3]. Some reports indicate that they may have been moved to Heshmatiyeh Prison, in Tehran. Authorities have, on their side, denied any transfer and stated that the four are still confined in their homes prohibited from communication. However, according to the same information received, their homes would be empty. Despite numerous requests from their families to the authorities for information on their whereabouts, the families were unable to receive any information.
OMCT is deeply concerned about the safety of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi as their whereabouts remain unknown. OMCT fears that they may be subjected to torture, ill-treatment and/or extrajudicial killing. Iranian intelligence and security services have a well-established track record of using torture against opponents. OMCT urges the competent authorities to guarantee their physical and psychological integrity at all times, in accordance with international human rights law, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to immediately locate and disclose their whereabouts.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Iran urging them to:
i. Immediately locate and disclose the whereabouts of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi;
ii. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mr Mehdi Karroubi, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi as well as of their families;
iii. Grant Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi prompt and unconditional access to a lawyer of their choice and their families, as well as guarantee that they are examined by independent doctors and receive adequate medical care, in accordance, inter alia, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners;
iv. Order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international law and standards, or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial, independent and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times;
v. Carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the enforced disappearance of Mir Hossein Mousavie, Mr. Mehdi Karroubi, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard and Ms. Fatemeh Karroubi, the results of which must be made public, in order to bring those responsible before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
vi. Ensure that an effective remedy, including the right to full redress with compensation and rehabilitation be granted to the victims concerned;
vii. Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Ø 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, + 98 21 649 / 21 774 2228, Email: info@leader.ir / istiftaa@wilayah.org / webmaster@wilayah.org / info_leader@leader.ir
Ø President Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: + 98 21 649 5880. Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
Ø Head of the Judiciary, His Excellency Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: +98 21 879 6671 / +98 21 3 311 6567, Email: Irjpr@iranjudiciary.com / bia.judi@yahoo.com
Ø Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: + 98 21 390 1999, Email: matbuat@mfa.gov
Ø Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 7330203, Email: mission.iran@ties.itu.int
Ø Embassy of Iran in Brussels, 15 a avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 762 39 15. Email: iran-embassy@yahoo.com
Please also write to the diplomatic representations of Iran in your respective countries.
***
Geneva, 4 March 2011
Kindly inform OMCT of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply
[1] Both were unsuccessful candidates to the disputed 2009 presidential elections.
[2] Demonstrations that took place on 14 and 20 February 2011 were reportedly violently repressed by the security forces.
[3] A “safe house” is considered a location for secret detention of high security detainees, which is not under the control of the Judiciary or any other monitoring mechanisms. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian intelligence agencies are known for using “safe houses” in order to get forced confessions from detainees without scrutiny or pressure from other legal bodies.
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