Document - Iran: Further information: Appeal for Iranian man rejected: Ja’far Kazemi

 

Document - Iran: Further information: Appeal for Iranian man rejected: Ja’far Kazemi

Further information on UA: 102/10 Index: MDE 13/081/2010 Iran Date: 05 August 2010

URGENT ACTION

APPEAL for iranian man rejected

Iran's Supreme Court has rejected Ja'far Kazemi's request to appeal against his death sentence. The sentence was imposed for his alleged participation in anti-government demonstrations and links with a banned organization. His sentence may be carried out at any time. Six other people with alleged links to the same organization are said to be under sentence of death.

Ja’far Kazemiwas arrested on 18 September 2009 and interrogated and possibly tortured for months in Evin prison in Tehran. He was accused of participating in protests which followed the disputed outcome of Iran’s presidential election in June 2009, but was not accused of committing any violent acts; and for his alleged contact with banned opposition group the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). He was sentenced to death for "enmity against God", and is also believed to have been convicted of “propaganda against the system”. On 26 April, he learned that his death sentence had been confirmed by an appeal court. A further appeal was apparently rejected in late July.

Amnesty International is aware of six other men sentenced to death in Iran for alleged links to the PMOI. Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaei ,Ali Saremi (or Sarami), Abdolreza Ghanbari, Ahmad Daneshpour Moghaddam and Mohsen Daneshpour Moghaddam were reportedly also found guilty of "enmity against God", possibly in the same case as Ja'far Kazemi. Information received on 4 August indicated that another man, Javad Lari, a merchant in the Tehran bazaar, had been sentenced to "death, without pardon" for "enmity against God". He is also held in Evin prison, where he was reportedly tortured and forced to ‘confess’.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, English, or your own language (Please refer to Ja’far Kazemi as "Ja’far Kazemi, son of Bahman" in your appeals, as this will help the authorities to identify him):

• Urging the Iranian authorities not to execute Ja’far Kazemi, Javad Lari, Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaei, Ali Saremi (or Sarami), Abdolreza Ghanbari, Ahmad Daneshpour Moghaddam and Mohsen Daneshpour Moghaddam;

• Reminding the Iranian authorities that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party, states that the death penalty can only be carried out for “the most serious crimes”, which the Human Rights Committee has clarified must be “intentional crimes with lethal or other extremely grave consequences."
• Stating that Amnesty International recognizes the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice, in conformity with international standards for fair trial, those suspected of criminal offences, but opposes the death penalty as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 16 SEPTEMBER 2010 TO:

Head of the Judiciary

Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani

Office of the Head of the Judiciary

Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran, 1316814737

Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: Via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspx

First starred box: your given name; second starred box: your family name; third: your email address

Salutation: Your Excellency

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

Email: info_leader@leader.ir

via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)

Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights

Mohammad Javad Larijani

Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh

Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri

Tehran 1316814737

Islamic Republic of Iran

Fax: +98 21 3390 4986

Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the second update of UA 102/10 (MDE 13/047/2010). Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/047/2010/en and http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/056/2010/en

URGENT ACTION

APPEAL for iranian man rejected

Additional Information

 

Ja’far Kazemi is reported to have been interrogated by security forces for months, and was pressured to make a televised “confession”, which he refused to do. He was previously imprisoned for membership of the PMOI in the 1980s or 1990s. One of his sons is a PMOI member and lives in Camp Ashraf, which houses PMOI members in Iraq. On 1 August, his wife, Roudabeh visited the Judiciary’s office in order to deliver a letter. They refused to accept it and informed her that the death sentence would be carried out.

Tehran’s prosecutor announced on 15 May that the death sentences of Ja’far Kazemi, Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaei, Mohammad Ali Saremi (or Sarami), Abdolreza Ghanbari (or Qanbari) and father and son, Ahmad and Mohsen Daneshpour Moghaddam, were upheld by the Appeal Court after they were found guilty of "enmity against God" in relation to their alleged links to the PMOI. In some cases, these links may amount to no more than having contact with family members linked to the PMOI

Two women, Motahareh (Simin) Bahrami and Rayhaneh Haj Ebrahim, and one other man, Hadi Gha’emi have had their death sentences commuted to prison terms. Mohammad Amin Valian was acquitted of "enmity against God" on appeal and his sentence commuted to imprisonment and payment of a fine.

Teacher Abdolreza Ghanbari, aged 42, was arrested after the demonstrations which took place in later December 2009 marking the Ashoura religious commemorations, in which he was accused of participating. Held in section 2A of Evin Prison, which is under the control of the Revolutionary Guards, he was tried on 30 January 2010 and made a “confession” which is believed to have been made under duress.

Ali Saremi (or Sarami), aged 62, has a son in the PMOI who lives in Camp Ashraf, Iraq, whom he has visited. Ali Saremi has spent 23 years in prison for his political activities both before and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran (see http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/007/2010/en).

UN Urged to Take Action for Jafar Kazemi, Political Prisoner on Death Row

UN Urged to Take Action for Jafar Kazemi, Political Prisoner on Death Row

May 17, 2010

DEUTSCH (ähnlicher Artikel zum Thema)
ITALIAN


In a letter, Jafar Kazemi’s wife has urged the United Nation’s Secretary General and the UNHCR Commissioner to help save her husband who is at imminent risk of execution.


RAHANA – Jafar Kazemi was arrested on September 18, 2009 and sentenced to death. In a letter written to the United Nation’s secretary general and published by HRDAI, Kazemi’s wife describes the family’s ordeal since her husband’s arrest.

The following is the English translation of Roudabeh Akbari’s letter:
My name is Roudabeh Akbari. I am a housewife, married to the political prisoner Jafar Kazemi, and a mother of two children.
My husband was arrested on September 18, 2009 at 6:00am on Haft-Hoz Street in Tehran. We did not hear from him for two weeks. He was tortured for three days and then placed in solitary confinement for 74 days under harsh conditions.
My husband was accused of supporting and propagandizing for the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO), as well as visiting our son in Camp Ashraf (MKO camp in Iraq).
In prison, after being tortured and spending three months in solitary confinement, he was pressured to make televised confessions. Faced with his resistance, they then tortured him again, and three of his teeth were broken as a result of severe beatings. Presently, my husband remains in a worrisome physical and emotional state.
At the end of the initial trial, during which judge Moghiseh sentenced him to death, my husband’s lawyer verbally objected to the ruling, which he argued was excessive and unlawful for the existing charge of anti-state propaganda. The judge remarked that he was under pressure at that time by higher authorities to rule in this fashion.
According to my husband’s lawyer, during the second trial, the court did not even look at the defense statement, which contained three pages of arguments regarding the anti-state propaganda charge, and in a two-line ruling, upheld the initial court’s ruling (death sentence). Judge Zargar was the judge who presided over the appeals hearing.
The interrogator has told my husband that “we need to sacrifice a few in order to save the regime and your name has been drawn as one of them.” My husband was asked again to make an interview about the Ashura events on December 27, 2009, but he refused to comply as was arrested three months before Ashura. The interrogators threatened that if he refused to make the confession, they would torture his wife and his children before his eyes.
In spite of threats by the interrogators that they would cut his wife in pieces before his eyes, he continued to resist making any confessions in the interview. The interrogators reacted by telling my husband that his execution was final and would be enforced. After 74 days of solitary confinement in ward 209, he was held in a place they call the suite, before being moved one week later to ward 350.
For three weeks, despite repeated attempts by me and my younger child, they refused to let us visit him.
Which law, country, or ethics states that visiting one’s child is a crime? If the Islamic Republic considers visiting your children a crime punishable by death, then my husband is guilty.
Given the critical situation of the political prisoners, and considering the total lack of will to review the inhumane and illegal court rulings against innocent prisoners, I demand the immediate stay of execution for those have been sentenced to death.
What I described above does not only apply to my husband and our family. All the families of political prisoners are in the same excruciating psychological situation. All the families of political prisoners want immediate action from the United Nations and the UNHCR commissioner.

Yours truly,
Roudabeh Akbari, wife of political prisoner Jafar Kazemi
May 2010

Source: RAHANA

WE ARE ALL SHIVA - 8 WAYS TO HELP

WE ARE ALL SHIVA - 8 WAYS TO HELP

Friday, August 27, 2010 at 10:00am

 

8 WAYS YOU CAN HELP

CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF SHIVA NAZAR AHARI

Human right defender detained at Evin prison
 http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/index-en.php

I am asking you for your support.

Her family has been intimidated into silence - Be their voice.

Think of Shiva this brave and intelligent 27 year old woman as your sister, as your daughter and speak up for her. International support is crucial in Shiva’s defence and SHE needs your help

Ways you can help Shiva:

1.         Write Letter (sample letter and addresses http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/spip.php?article17 )
Write to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei
Write to the Head of Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
Write to the Director of Human Rights, Dr Ali Larijani
2.         Write Letter to your local Iranian Embassy (email addresses can be viewed here http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/spip.php?article17 )
3.         Tell your local /national press about Shiva’s story (some addresses can be viewed here http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/spip.php?article17 )
4.         Tell your local member of parliament or representative
5.         Sign the Reporters from Borders Petition
http://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/kampagnen-aktionen/petition-iran/petition-iran.html  
6.         Send Shiva a postcard to Evin Prison
7.         Make a video message of support and email it to cmpgnforshiva@gmail.com
8.         <span>Organise or join </span>a demonstration near you on 2 or 3 September wearing a face
            mask of Shiva. DETAILS WILL BE POSTED ON Take a photograph and send us the photo:
cmpgnforshiva@gmail.com  


Please do one do all
but help Shiva and
whatever you choose to do don’t forget to let us know
cmpgnforshiva@gmail.com
http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/index-en.php


‘Vibrant’, ‘compassionate’, ‘selfless’, ‘dedicated’, ‘courageous’, ‘extraordinary human being’ are all words used to describe Shiva. Shiva Nazar Ahari was born after the Islamic Revolution. She was brought up in a system that identified her and the women in my country as second class citizens. An oil rich country where millions sleep hungry every night and thousands of children are forced into labour every year.
Only a teenager and still at school she started teaching these children to read and write, spoke out about the injustices of inequality and got arrested for having two white candles in her bag at a vigil for the victims of September 11. Shiva came out of prison and set about defending the rights of political prisoners. Demanding justice with the families of political prisoners outside the UN building in Tehran she was arrested again.

Not deterred, she helped found the Student Committee of Human Rights Reporters while at university. She became a “Star Student” - not a reflection of her academic achievements but a mark of prohibition. Star Students are banned from further education. Shiva started paying the cost of fighting for equality and human rights in Iran.

Shiva is still paying the price. Her home was raided by agents of Ministry of Intelligence in the early hours of 14 June 2009, just over twenty four hours after the tenth presidential elections in Iran. Shiva wasn’t home. A few hours later Shiva was arrested from her place of work. No one knew where she was taken. Her mother, her father both seriously ill started looking for her. Shiva was detained in solitary confinement at Evin Prison. She remained there until half a million dollars was demanded as bail. Impossible! Finally, Shiva was conditionally released in September - her family putting up the equivalent of two hundred thousand dollars.

Shiva being Shiva, as soon as she was out started a campaign in support of Atefeh Nabavi, a young woman she had come to know while in prison. Atefeh had been ill treated and raped following her arrest. Within weeks Shiva was behind bars again. Today, she is at Evin prison waiting for her trial on 4 September. She is charged on three counts: propaganda against the regime, collusion to commit a crime and Moharebeh (enmity against God).

People who know her by reputation, families whose lives she has touched and all who know her are outraged by these fabricated charges. Shiva’s only crime is that of caring and of not remaining silent in the face of injustice. Any one who has had any association with her will bear witness to her extraordinary resolve and her selfless love for others.

There is growing concern over the irrational, unpredictable and illegal behaviour of the prosecutors and judges in passing sentences where there is complete disregard for Iran’s national laws and international commitments and obligations. The charge of Moharebeh carries a long prison term and even the maximum penalty of death. Her colleagues at the renamed Committee of Human Rights Reporters along with many human rights defenders have set up an international campaign in her support.

GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO FREE SHIVA NAZAR AHARI - PRESS RELEASE

GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO FREE SHIVA NAZAR AHARI - PRESS RELEASE

Friday, August 27, 2010 at 3:02pm

 

Shiva Nazar Ahari

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO FREE SHIVA NAZAR AHARI
"RELEASE HER IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY!"

Date before her court: 2 September 2010

Worldwide

August 26, 2010 - Shiva Nazar Ahari, a 26-year-old Iranian citizen and human rights defender is illegally detained in one of the world's most notorious prisons for defending the rights of others. Her trial is set for September 4, 2010. She is charged with conspiracy, collusion and most worryingly the charge of Moharebeh (waging war against God), an offence with the maximum penalty of death.

Since 2004 she has been sent to Tehran's Evin prison on three separate occasions and spent long periods of her detention in solitary confinement. Her last arrest was on December 20, 2009 and Shiva has lived in a state of limbo for most of her long detention because until June 2010 the Judiciary failed to provide any answers or specifics on her charges.

A group of activists and human rights defenders have united to launch a global campaign that focuses on shedding light on the illegal detention of Shiva Nazar Ahari.
The main message of the Campaign is simple: Release Shiva from prison immediately and unconditionally. The Campaign utilizes various communication methods to take Shiva's story on an international level. Thousands of supporters have already sent letters to the United Nations, Iranian embassies, and the media to urge all organizations to take action for Shiva Nazar Ahari. As a next step supporters around the world are urged to participate in the campaign from their home or office by submitting a video message or picture of support. Also, world renowned human rights and non-partisan organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders have taken a firm stance against Shiva's imprisonment and demanded her immediate release.

The Campaign views any charges against Shiva's humanitarian activities as false. Shiva is a freedom-loving person whose activism work has always consisted of defending the rights of forgotten or abused Iranian citizens.

On September 2 and 3, 2010 human rights supporters will gather outside Islamic Republic Embassies and wear Shiva Nazar Ahari face masks to demonstrate their solidarity with her.

Confirmed Cities so far: London, Paris, Berlin, Washington, Toronto

Other locations and times will be updated on the Campaign's website http://www.chrr.biz/shiva/index-en.php

Further information (English)
USA: Parvaneh - parvaneh.vahidmanesh@gmail.com
Canada: Maryam - maryam.nayebyazdi@gmail.com
Europe: Roya - royakashefi@gmail.com

-- شما به این دلیل این پیام را دریافت کرده اید که در گروه Google Groups "Campaign For Shiva" مشترک شده اید.جهت پست کردن مطلب به این گروه، ایمیلی به cmpdnforshiva@googlegroups.com ارسال کنید.جهت لغو اشتراک از این گروه، ایمیلی به cmpdnforshiva+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com ارسال کنید.برای گزینه های دیگر، از این گروه در http://groups.google.com/group/cmpdnforshiva?hl=fa دیدن کنید.

The accuracy of the letter published by Kalameh on behalf of 15 Iranian prisoners who went on hunger strike

The accuracy of the letter published by Kalameh on behalf of 15 Iranian prisoners who went on hunger strike

 Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 5:09pm

 

There were a lot of doubts on the accuracy and the reliability of the news source regarding the subject letter in which the 15 prisoners announced to have ended their hunger strike explaining their reasons as follows:

".... We end our hunger strike now out of respect for the great supporter of the Green Movement, Mir Hossein Moussavi, and other prominent individuals…,”

Some questioned the reliability of the source of the letter. Some shed doubts on how were the prisoners informed of the message of Moussavi asking them to break their hunger strike and how all of them together coordinated the response.  Some critics of Mousavi jumped at the opportunity to claim that it was all a propaganda launched by Moussavi to attribute support for himself from the political prisoners who are now the nations heros.

To my pleasure recent news from Iran confirm that the prisoners did end their hunger strike as described by Kalameh and their statement was accurately published. These news indicate that the latter criticism was yet another petty attempt to throw mud on Moussavi.

I just read an article by Jila Baniyaghoob that could shed light on the above legittimate and illegitimate doubts that I translate and report for my friends as follows:

Latest News from Evin prisoners who'd gone on hunger strike
(From Jila Baniyaghoob)
Sunday 22 August 2010

Finally after not getting any news for a month from Bahman, I managed to get some news about Bahman and other prisoners who went on hunger strike, through more direct and fully reliable source, a friend who was recently released from prison, .

This newly released prisoner, told me: "All hunger strikers, when got back to ward 350 had a great spiriti though they were physically weak. Among the hunger strikers, Bahman (Ahmad Amoui), Abdollah Momeni and Keyvan Samimi who'd returned later to th ward, looked slimmer and weaker than the others but their spirits were strong all the same. Keyvan Samimi hadn't broken his hunger strike until the moment of entry to the general ward and his frinds in ward 350 brought him a glass of milk to offer him a drink and have him break his strike. When hunger strikers returned to the general ward, their inmates in ward 350 wanted to give them all the recent news about this period including how their hunger strike was reflected in the society and the messages of the leaders of the green movement and other green supporters when the prisoners who'd just returned from solitary confinement told them "hey guys, where have you been? we know all about it and it was because of the very same messages that we broke our hunger strike".

One of the persons who was present and was listening to what this newly realeased prisoner was saying asked him "First of all, how did you in the general ward get all these news? Secondly how did those who were in solitary confinement were informed about these news?"

And he replied laughing: "do you expect me to tell you how? Its better to keep these channels secure for the prisoners".

I asked about the bad conditions of ward 350 and he said: These are not important. What's important is that all prisoners spirits are high and I mean very high.

I asked again: Are all prisoners really with a good spirit? He said: The spirits are excellent... excellent!  

And because I honestly believe this dear friend I now I have no doubt that all prisoners spirits are high and strong and that makes me very happy because today.

source: http://www.zhila.org/spip.php?article305

Shiva Nazar Ahari Interview VIDEOS PARTS 1, 2, and 3

Shiva Nazar Ahari Interview VIDEOS PARTS 1, 2, and 3

December 24, 2009

GERMAN TRANSLATION OF INTERVIEW

**NOTE: This interview was conducted prior to Shiva’s most recent arrest. For the latest on Shiva Nazar Ahari, click here

Translation of Video :
They came to arrest me at 1:00 am on June 13th. I wasn’t aware of the large amount they had already arrested. I wasn’t home when they came to my house. They took a number of my belongings and told my family I had to come in for questioning. On June 14th, I went to work and they came and arrested me at my work place. The few hours of questioning lasted for 102 days. I stayed in section 209 of Evin prison. I was finally released on $200,000 bail.
I was admonished many times for my writings, especially in solitary confinement. I used the sharp end of a tube of toothpaste to write on the walls. It was forbidden to write on cell walls. Every time I did, they transferred me to a new cell and forced me to go back with a wet cloth and wipe it all off.
Interviewer: “Shiva, do you feel free now?”
Shiva: “No.”
Interviewer: “Yes, you are! you are walking freely among nature.”
Shiva: It’s not a good feeling. When I was in prison, I was a prisoner with hardships. But when I was released, I began to think it was easier in there. Before, I thought that when I am released, I would once again be with my my friends. But now that I am out, many are not here anymore. Many keep on getting arrested and going back to prison. We all spent many nights and days together before the election. We also protested together. The feeling gets worse when I realize that my friends are still in prison. It makes me feel helpless.
In prison it was easier because I believed myself to be a prisoner. There was nothing I could do there, but at least I was close to the others. When I got to see them in the lobby once in a while, it was a great feeling. I think many prisoners were like me. We would wait the whole week for the 20 minute visitations. We weren’t as excited about meeting our family members, since we were meeting each other and other prisoners. We would get to meet each other’s families too. It was a great feeling, despite all its hardships.
I now feel like this freedom is not so attractive. I will truly feel free when I know they are out of prison. Maybe it would be a better feeling then. But not now. It’s a terrible feeling to be out while people like Atefeh, Shabnam, and Abdollah Momeni are still there. We all went to prison together but they are not free to come out and walk in the park. They are still in their cells. It’s not a good feeling. Not at all.
[in her office]
I wrote these at various times. They were very interesting for my co-workers to remember me by. They hadn’t touched them until I got out.
Interviewer: “I guess that means that you weren’t fired”
Shiva: “Yes, my sister works here. And when I would call home, she would tell me that they had not even touched my poems. It meant that they eremembered me and had not fired me. That was a good feeling. Because many inmates are always worried about losing their jobs and they worried about finding another one. For me, at least, I had no such worries. And this calendar shows the days I am counting since my friends were arrested.
Interviewer: “Have you ever thought that all this work is for nothing? That it’s a waste? Since you have to go to jail for it?”
Shiva: “You mean I should leave the country? Well the thought goes through everyone’s minds. We all think about it, especially when you are in this situation. You are out of prison, waiting for the court date. You are unsure about what’s going to happen. Well you have to accept the fact that activism here has its price. There is prison, arrest, and all the other factors that come with it. But I have decided to stay, whatever the price I have to pay. I try my best to stay. How long I can go like this, I don’t know, but I will try my best to stay here. Whatever the price and hardships are, I think we should all stay. Many tell me that it would be a lot easier to do human rights work outside the country, but I believe we are the most affective right here. I cannot be as affective outside the country. I may be able to attend a few gatherings and go to different organizations and make a name for myself, but it won’t be as affective as it is inside the country. I would not be able to play the same role I am playing here outside the country.
I believe our line of work is such that many people here need our help. For example, families of political prisoners need us. Many inmates tell us that we are their only hope when we get out. Of course I am not as powerful as the inmates think of me. But I feel like if I leave the country, they won’t even have this little hope. Additionally, this is our country. Who will stay if we all leave?
Interviewer: “If you had left the prison and found out you were out of a job, would you say the same things?”
Shiva: “Definitely! Every time I called home I would ask if I was fired yet. Well if you are working, you need to be ready to pay the price. I have completely adapted to the situation. When I was a university student, I was a little more conservative, especially because I was paying a high tuition. So at times I would cool down so that at least I could get to finish school. I would always ask myself if I was going to be the same way when I was out of school and at work! But then I realized that work is not as important for me. I am ready to accept being fired. It’s okay if I don’t have a job as long as I continue my activities.

*******************************************************

Interviewer: “Why is Atefeh so important to you?”
Shiva: “I am not sure. Maybe she is because of the common things that we experienced in prison. Common things that happened to both of us. There was an incident in prison that I wrote about. They made us confront each other during interrogation. It was very difficult for me. Her name kept coming up in all of my interrogations. I didn’t know Atefeh before I was arrested. When these guys were arrested, Zia Nabavi was a “marked for expulsion” student. A coworker had told me that there were seven of them arrested together, and Atefeh was one of them. Because of Zia, Atefeh became important to me as well. I heard that before they brought Atefeh to prison, she was mistreated. Well, I was trying to defend everyone’s rights [chuckle].
Once, they brought up the issue during my interrogation. It was a few hours process, no need for me to get into details but they brought in Atefeh to confront me. They forced her to deny my allegations and it was a very difficult situation and a very difficult interrogation for me. They brought in Atefeh. She was standing behind me and I was sitting on a chair facing the wall and I was writing things down. He asked me to turn around to see Atefeh and tell her about the claims I made regarding her. I tried to calm the situation down. It was a terrible situation. They were yelling. I said to her: ‘I heard that before you were transferred to prison, there were some immoral acts carried out against you!”
Then one of the interrogators yelled out: “State clearly what immoral acts you are referring to!”
I said, “I don’t know the details. I have heard this and I am just stating what I have heard. I have heard that there have been immoral suggestions made to her.”
I felt like Atefeh’s voice was shaking: “No, no it wasn’t like that at all.”
It was a difficult situation. I had talked about her plight and now she was denying it while two people were standing above us yelling. I said to Atefeh: “I hope that the allegations are not true and I am glad they are not true. But that’s what I have heard.”
At this time, one of the interrogators who claimed that he had come from section 209 yelled: “Shut up with this crap, you dirty piece of garbage.” I objected and said: “What kind of language is this? please be polite.”
The other interrogator kept saying to Atefeh: “You need to press charges against this lady for false claims.”
Atefeh kept saying: “I have no claims against her. How can I file charges against another prisoner?”
They took her to another interrogation room and I overheard them yelling at her.

******************************************************

“When they took Atefeh to court, the judge’s attitude was not too pleasant toward her. Atefeh called me from the general detention center and said that the judge was completely bias against her, and she explained that the court proceedings were not nice. She felt like the judge was injecting his own personal bias in the case. Considering the heavy sentences coming out of the courts, I was very worried about Atefeh, especially because the Intellignece Ministry was very sensitive about her case due to her family connections. I was worried about a heavy sentence and it did happen: four years of suspended prison time. The important point is that she was cleared of the accusations of having relations with the organization. She was only convicted for participating in the July 4th demonstrations. This was the only thing she had confessed to.

She was sentenced to four years in prison for “acting against the state” and “propaganda against the regime.” It’s interesting. The day we announced the news of her sentence, I noticed that many news organizations only reported it in passing, while other sentences were printed in bold like Abtahi’s six year term. And I thought that we should do something for her, especially because her family was not into protesting or doing any media work.

We decided to start a campaign called: “I am Atefeh” to ask all those arrested after the election or even those who had doubts about the result of the election to write a few lines to the judiciary. Even those who had a hand in her verdict and sympathize with her can write a letter. If she gets a four year sentence for doubting the result of the election and for protesting, then we should all be in jail. We started this campaign to point out that this is a serious matter. Especially for international organizations who pay less attention to those who are not as famous. We wanted to direct their attention to Atefeh or others like her who are in jail and they might get heavy sentences because nobody pays any attention to them.

I think the campaign is going well. We only started it two days ago but a lot  has been written about Atefeh. We are planning to send the letters to the prosecutor’s office and to Parliament. This is to let them know what kind of sentences are being handed out by the Revolutionary Court. We will do whatever we can so the appeals court can view this case from a legal perspective, away from political or intelligence service perspectives. We hope for the release of Atefeh.

Translation by Tour Irani for Persian2English

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO7269M9UUU&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESHjxQxt5A&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1at6cuO-w&feature=player_embedded#!

Shiva Nazar Ahari's Story

Shiva Nazar Ahari's Story

Translation of:

http://www.daneshjoonews.com/optinion/30-articls/2088-1389-04-31-08-53-51.html


Shiva Nazar Ahari - in her Mother's Words

Shiva has spent more than 7 months in Evin prison in the past year. Her mother, Sharzad Kariman, sat down with International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran for an extensive interview to tell her daughter’s story because, in her own words, "for choosing the right path, she will be spending all of the 26th year of her life in prison."

Shiva was fist arrested the day after the election results were announced, on June 14th, 2009 and again in March 2010. Following this second arrest Shiva has been in prison four months. Mrs. Karimi says that her arrest warrant was dated a week before the day she was arrested. She stresses repeatedly that her daughter has not done anything illegal, and her activity to improve human rights conditions in Iran is approved of by both herself and by Shiva’s father.

Her mother says, "At 2am on the day after the announcement of the election results, intelligence agents came to our home looking for her, and since she was not home, they visited her workplace and the arrest warrant that they showed was dated a week earlier. Shiva was arrested on June 14th, while her warrant was dated June 6th, and her name was added subsequently.

Many of those who have been imprisoned for political activities, journalism, defending human rights, or activities surrounding the equality of women and men are in their early 20s or 30s. Shiva Nazar Ahari was born on June 10th, 1984. Her first arrest took place on Sharivar 20th , 1381 when she was only 18 years old. Twentieth of Sharivar corresponds to September 11th, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the USA. Shiva‘s mother tells the Campaign,"I always told her interrogators that if she started to engage in political activities, the path was laid down for her by the interrogators."

September 11th Anniversary, and Shiva’s First Arrest

Sharzad Kariman describes the circumstances of Shiva’s first arrest:"Back then I did almost everything for my kids, for example, buying stationary and other things. On September 11th, 2002 since I was involved in a car accident and was recovering from surgery, I could not go to the university and buy Shiva’s books. She had just registered for the entrance exam for the universities and was taking classes to prepare for the exam. For the first time she went to buy her books at the university alone, and was arrested."

The search for Shiva took hours without any signs of her, and nobody was responding until, after contacting Police Station 110, the family discovered that she had been arrested:"In a telephone conversation a man told me that I should not be worried, and that I did not hear it from him, but Shiva had been arrested, and they will contact me.

For 20 days we did not have any news about her and we searched everywhere we could think of. During this time we could only be cheerful about what the man at station 110 had told us, that she had been arrested. After 20 days a man visited us for an investigation. They asked why she had gone to the university. I told them that she had gone to buy books. I still had bandages on my face and told them about my situation, and that was the reason that she had gone by herself. After two or three days, they told us that she was in section 209 of Evin prison and the bail is set at $40,000."

Shiva never talked to her family about her days in prison."I overheard her talking to her friends that her cell was so small, that if she extended her legs or hands, they would touch the walls, and that the food was terrible. In court, she was fined $200. I asked why she was given a fine, and they said that they had found two candles in her purse. I told them that the candles did not belong to her as she has testified herself, but she was carrying them for someone that did not have a purse."

Shiva adamantly refused to pay the fine and said she would rather serve time in prison. Her mother continues:"Shiva said that her father is retired and why should he be forced to pay the fine. Anyway, we paid the fine."

In the same year, 2002, Shiva passed the entrance examination and was accepted to Omran Engineering School. During these times, Shiva’s activities were related to human rights issues, and as a member of the Student Committee, to defend political prisoners, children, and women rights. According to her mother,"It didn’t matter who the prisoner was, who the prisoner associated with or to which organization the prisoner belonged." She even protested, while the military was implementing the plan to confront "hooligans" with unprecedented naked brutality to punish them, the behavior towards those arrested.

Her mother says, "Shiva would often talk to the prisoners and their mothers. Her friends would tell her not to work for them; they are hooligans. She responded that she did not care, are they human or not? Their legitimate rights should prevent such behaviors towards them." Shahrzad Kariman believes, "If anyone would have listened to Shiva, in Kahrizak the like of Roohallah Amini or Mohammad Kamrani, flowers of Iran, would not have perished there."

Amidst these activities, Shiva was arrested again on July 8th, 2004 on Keshavarz Boulevard. This time, she was accompanied by her mother."We went to offices to track her. We were there till 4am and afterwards they drove us home." In 2004, in a gathering in front of the UN offices, to sympathize with political prisoners, Shiva’s mother, always supporting her activities, was with her. Shiva’s mother says that they arrested everyone,"I was released after a week, but Shiva was in prison for one month. She was again released with a $40,000 bail. In court, she was given a one-year prison term suspended for 5 years."

Shiva Nazar Ahari started her child advocacy activities with the NGO"Child Labor". She would tutor children at the Nematabad Station until she graduated from college and entered the work force. However, she would continue to tutor the children attending the school at Nematabad Station in southern Tehran one or twice a week. According to Shiva’s mother, she was arrested 3 or 4 times during 2002-2004.

Devoted to Friends and Family

Helping others started for Shiva at home, where her devotion to her parents and family fuelled her activities."Since Shiva’s academic results were excellent, she would always help her sisters. When she started work, she wanted to help her father, since he had worked hard to provide for her education. Shiva said that as her father was retired she would try her best to reciprocate our kindness. Accordingly, she would behave the same way in the streets and towards her friends working with the collective.

Her friends tell us that their central committee is very concerned for Shiva and they constantly ask about her, and the children too would ask where Aunty Shiva was, didn’t she like them anymore? They didn’t know what the answer was…Shiva did not want anything for herself. Anytime she got paid, she would fulfill her friends’ needs first. She was so popular at work, that when she returned after three months in prison last year, she was gladly accepted back. Even now that she has been away from work for seven months since her last arrest, engineers and managers from the company call and ask about her, they tell me that they would never replace Shiva, such a good and reliable colleague."

Her mother continues: "Shiva’s relationship with us and everyone else is good. There is no member of our family that has ever been upset with Shiva, and this goes for her friends too. No matter how she was treated, she would never show any negative reaction. She was kind and compassionate towards us. She is still in solitary, however, her released friends would tell me that she had made markings on the wall, such as the date of her younger sister’s university entrance examination. She was anxious and hoped that Nazanin would do well. When she called next, Shiva asked how Nazanin had done in the entrance examination. I would ask her to talk about herself and why she bothered about her sister’s examination. She said that she was continuously worried for her sister.

Shahrzad Kariman is quite certain about Shiva’s activities and admires her. Her mother says,"I accepted the path she took, because it was not a wrong path. Is defending human rights a crime? It is burdensome to hear instead that it is an act contrary to national security. If a person takes up arms and acts, then it would be contrary to national security. Shiva would not harm an ant where she was walking, and all she did was help other people, yet she was charged with acting against national security."

Shiva Nazar Ahari and her Dreams

Shiva’s mother tells us about her imprisoned daughter’s dreams:"Shiva always said that she hoped for discrimination to end, she did not want see children begging in the streets to tell fortunes, or someone taking issue with defending human rights. She said she would do her best so that the current situation would end. She didn’t like the fact that those who were better off financially would participate in her activities, but those were not did not or could not.

Once when she came home she was carrying many fortune-telling cards. I asked her why she bought so many, and she replied that the child had told her that if all the cards were not sold when returning home, they would get a beating. When she was at the Central Offices, she would ask a child about the bruises over half of his/her face, and learn that the child’s father had given them a beating because they did not raise the desired amount of money. She hoped for a future where children did not have to work or be executed. She hoped that children would not be forced to live in a situation where their growth was impeded."

"I accept her path…Is defending human rights a crime?"

Shahrzad Kariman is quite certain about Shiva’s activities and admires her. Her mother says, "I accepted the path she took, because it was not a wrong path. Is defending human rights a crime? It is burdensome to hear instead that it is an act contrary to national security. If a person takes up arms and act, then it would be contrary to the national security. Shiva would not harm an ant where she was walking, and all she did was helping other people, yet she was charged with acting against national security."

In criticism of the charges against Shiva, and pointing to her months of detention, Shiva’s mother says, "Whose security has Shiva endangered? All her activities are within the limits allowed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and she is not acting against the government, only helping human beings. Her father, the people of Iran, and I, accept her path. If Shiva and the likes of her are asked about their activities, everyone would understand, not only that her path is not wrong, but it is the right thing to do and that she has been imprisoned wrongly. What has Shiva done to deserve spending her 25th year of life and celebrating her 26th birthday behind bars? No matter how much I think about this, I cannot accept for Shiva to be in prison."

Shiva’s mother has repeatedly discussed these points with her interrogators:"I told her handler that it is impossible for Shiva to do the wrong thing, and my last word to him was that Shiva and others like her should be spared from spending time in prison. Prison is a place for those who violate other people’s dignity or commit murder. But these young people have done nothing wrong and they should not be spending the best years in their lives behind bars. I will only say that may God keep them safe and I hope that God will not hesitate to protect their well-being in these very difficult times away from their family, so that they can endure.

The last words of Shiva’s mother, whose voice is heard with such enthusiasm whenever she mentions Shiva:"I hope very soon the doors of these prisons are opened so that these flowers can be embraced again by their families."

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

Translation: @MrZand

Arzhang Davoodi’s Physical Condition Grave after 24 Days on Hunger Strike

Arzhang Davoodi’s Physical Condition Grave after 24 Days on Hunger Strike


August 7, 2010 English

As a result of a hunger strike he started four weeks ago, Arzhang Davoodi’s health condition has deteriorated rapidly and is now considered life threatening. Davoodi is a political prisoner held in ward 3 of Gohardasht prison in the city of Karaj.

RAHANA- Arzhang Davoodi physical condition is dire after 24 days of hunger strike. It has been reported that he has lost 10 kilos (approximately 22 lbs) during this time.

According to reports from Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran (HRDAI), Davoodi is barely able to move and suffers from low blood pressure, dizziness, loss of vision and other ailments that are worsening with the passing of each hour. His extremely weakened physical condition is now considered life threatening.

 
Arzhang Davoodi, began his hunger strike on the 14th of July, in protest to the inhumane conditions and restrictions at Gohardasht prison. He is demanding that he be granted his basic rights such as the ability to meet with his family, access to medical doctors, repossession of his home that had been confiscated and resulted in the dislocation of his family and that authorities address the complaints he made against the head of Gohardasht prison.

'We Are All Shiva Nazar Ahari, Accuse Us Too'

Persian Letters


'We Are All Shiva Nazar Ahari, Accuse Us Too'

Shiva Nazar Ahari

August 19, 2010

There’s growing concern over the fate of jailed human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari following recent comments by her lawyer, Mohammad Sharif. In an interview he said that she is facing serious charges including waging war against God (Moharebeh), which carries the death sentence in the Islamic Republic.

Nazar Ahari, a member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR), has been in jail since December 2009. She was also arrested in June 2009 and released on a $200,000 bail in September.

In a note posted on the “Kalame” website, Zahra Rahnavard, the wife of opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi, has expressed concern over Nazar Ahari’s plight:

We are worried for Shiva Nazar Ahari, her trial, and its result because we are all Shiva Nazar Ahari. We, women, who make up half of Iran’s population, we are all Shiva Nazar Ahari.

Rahnavard, who is a university professor and a sculptor, rejects the charges Nazar Ahari is facing (including Moharebeh but also propaganda against the Iranian establishment) and says that she knows her personally from the time she was banned from classes for her activism.

I know our dear Shiva since the time she preferred human rights over other rights. She could have become the best student in engineering, instead she became the best student in the university of justice and freedom.

Rahnavard writes that Nazar Ahari was the first person to make public human rights abuses at the Kahrizak detention center where at least three detainees died as a result of torture. Many detainees said they were beaten up and raped.

Shiva is not alone. The idea that brings all justice-seeking people together -- me, Shiva, Bahareh Hedayat, and Mahdyeh Golroo [jailed female student activists], Atefeh Nabavi… [It] has connected us in order to persist and achieve our demands for human rights, freedom, and democracy.

Bloggers and Nazar Ahari’s colleagues and friends have also expressed support for her by writing about her work. Nazar Ahari’s colleague, Sepideh Pouraghayi, writes that despite threats and pressure Nazar Ahari never gave up on her activism.
http://www.we-change.org/spip.php?article6394

Many of the prisoners and their families were constantly in touch with Shiva. I saw her many times talking on the phone to prisoners patiently and writing letters word by word about a prisoner’s demands or the bad conditions in prison.

Here is a link to a documentary about Shiva Nazar Ahari produced by Mahboubeh Abbasgholinejad (in Persian). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sz6bYgcU20&feature=player_embedded#


-- Golnaz Esfandiari

The Shiva I Know: A letter about Shiva Nazar Ahari

The Shiva I Know: A letter about Shiva Nazar Ahari

August 21, 2010

Editor’s Note: Shiva Nazar Ahari, an Iranian human rights activist and a political prisoner in Evin prison (Tehran) since December 20, 2009, is now facing the charge of Moharebeh (enmity against God), and she can be sentenced to death for it. Shiva’s trial date is set for September 4, 2010. We must act now to help and support her.

Sepideh Pooraghaiee, a friend and colleague of Shiva Nazar Ahari, writes an open letter about Shiva. Sepideh Pooraghaiee states in the letter that she wants her words to be considered when passing judgment on Shiva and the organization CHRR.


The Shiva I know: A letter about Shiva Nazar Ahari

By Sepideh Pooraghaiee

Translation Tour Irani for Persian2English


I’ve read many heartfelt letters published online written by families, friends, and supporters of political and civil rights activists. I thought, perhaps I should write a letter as well for my dear friend Shiva Nazar Ahari. Since her arrest, Shiva has spent more than 200 days in ward 209 of Evin prison. She was recently transferred to the general ward. Since I consider Shiva’s writings to be very direct and beautiful (just like her name which means “expressive” in Persian), I will attempt to use Shiva’s words and my own memories to help reduce the contradictions and delirium that exists within the Iranian regime’s security apparatus in their accusations against Shiva and the Committee of Human Rights Reporters.

Instead of listening to the propaganda machines and the military organizations who are busy manufacturing scenarios, please consider my words when you pass judgment on the Committee of Human Rights Reporters and Shiva Nazar Ahari.

The genius producers of state television, who instead of informing people in an objective manner, spend all their efforts in creating noise, psychological warfare, and accusations against critics and cultural, civil, and political opponents. The producers should regard my writing as a witness documentation.

First, I would like to use Shiva’s words to express the main reason for the accusations and vengeance against her by violators of human rights. She wrote to one of her cell mates: “When your heart trembles for the rights of another human, that is when you begin to slip; that is when the interrogations begin. When your heart trembles for another prisoner, a woman, a child laborer, that is when you become the accused. When you find faith in people and believe in humanity and nothing else, that is when you commit your first crime.”

Shiva is held captive. Even though she was released in June 2009 after a large bail amount was posted, she was re-arrested for defending torture victim Atefeh Nabavi by creating a campaign for her freedom. I know very well that (while confined in Evin prison) Shiva’s heart still beats for people like Atefeh Nabavi and she bursts into tears for them. It has always been clear to me why she does that.

She burst into tears for student prisoner Akbar Mohammadi and political activist Heshmat Saran who both died in prison. She burst into tears for Delara Darabi who died because of the Qesas law (eye-for-an-eye execution punishment). She burst into tears for two Kurdish prisoners who were quietly executed a few years ago. She also burst into tears many other times for other victims.

I know Shiva for a long time. The first time I saw her was many years ago in the memorial services for Parvaneh Eskandari and Dariush Forouhar, two chain murder victims of autumn 1999. We were in Ershad Mosque. A much younger Shiva was filled with energy. It was the beginning of a long friendship with Shiva; a brave, humorous, and light-hearted person who displays resistance and dedication.

Shiva was first arrested in 2004 in front of the United Nations office. I am not sure but maybe it was this experience that increased her drive to continue on the path that she has chosen. At that time I never thought that she would one day become one of the most distinguished human rights activists. I thought that just like many others who were her age, after a while she would go on with her daily life so that she might stay clear from harassment by the judicial and security system.

But Shiva kept standing. Later Shiva and I along with a few other friends became active in The Students Committee for Defense of Political Prisoners. Most of the efforts of this committee were geared toward the publication and distribution of information about the difficult conditions of political prisoners.

In 2005, when the Committee of Human Rights Reporters was founded, we took on new and bigger steps in various areas including defending women’s rights, children’s rights, and the rights of minorities and other vulnerable citizens whose human rights are trampled on either by society or by the ruling political establishment. And the legal umbrella of the Islamic Republic judicial system not only supports the violations, but also further violates the rights of citizens.

In the short interim since the foundation of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, I have found Shiva to be the most stern, reliable, and active member. It is a wonder how a person who lives in a dictatorial society under the harshest pressures is able to play a defining role in defending human rights solely based on her strong will and determination and the manner that she upholds professionalism and a practical moral framework (not just slogans).

Shiva protests against violations of human rights without concentrating on the ethnic, religious, gender, political, and even reputation backgrounds of individuals; be it Akbar Ganji to the late Valiallah Feiz Mahdavi (a political prisoner related to the Mujahedin Khalgh Organization).

She was repeatedly summoned and contacted by security organizations. They would threaten her and use foul language solely because Shiva protested and published human rights violations against political prisoners who the regime considers as opposition. The accusation of “association with the Mujahedin Khalgh Organization” was made up by the security system to take revenge against Shiva’s civil disobedience of their illegal request to stop reporting on the terrible conditions of prisoners. But through her strong determination to save human dignity, Shiva never gave in. Her reasoning was just and proper. For a human rights activist every human on Earth is equal in human rights even if they have committed crimes against humanity.

I remember well that when few people were paying attention to the conditions of those who were arrested in 2007 under the cover of “hoodlums” (in Kahrizak prison), the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, and especially Shiva, contacted the families of the arrested and reported on the horrible prison to the public.

SIGN THE PETITION FOR SHIVA NAZAR AHARI!

Many prisoners and their families were directly in contact with Shiva. Many times I saw her writing stories of pain and prisoner reports. She would sit patiently on the phone and transcribed the words of the prisoners.

Her cell phone was always on. Whenever I called and talked to her about the condition of a prisoner and stressed the urgent need for action by the committee, she never said no. I will never forget that in 2007 when I found out about the terrible physical condition of Ahmad Batebi (student prisoner from the 1999 riots) through his family, and although it was past midnight, I went to Shiva’s house and explained Ahmad’s situation to her. The same night we discussed the issue with some friends. We held a session at the Tahkim Vahdat office to protest. Ahmad Batebi’s family members and well known cultural and political personalities were present.

This is only one example of the efforts by the Committee for Human Rights Reporters to help reduce harm to victims of human rights violations in Iran. I believe Shiva Nazar Ahari has acted very distinguishably throughout the years. She never allowed intimidations and threats to turn into an impenetrable dam against her sacred efforts. Along with her bravery and clarity, she also was calm, patient and hopeful. She never expected to be praised. She never compromised with the resolution of a problem, however small, for a human being.

Today, undoubtedly, Shiva Nazar Ahari is paying the price for the continuous efforts of her and the Committee of Human Rights Reporters.

Sepideh Pouraghaiee

E-mail: Se_po57@yahoo.com

Release Shiva Nazar Ahari, human rights activist in Iran!!

Release Shiva Nazar Ahari, human rights activist in Iran!!

Published by Roya Irani on Aug 18, 2010

Target: To Amnesty, European Union, UN , Human Rights Watch, Ban Ki Moon, International Crimes Court,

 

Web site: http://persian2english.com

 

Background (Preamble):

 

Shiva Nazar Ahari, a human rights activist and member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR), has spent more than 8 months now in prison. She was arrested for the second time in one year on the 20th of December 2009. Previously, she spent 102 days in prison, 33 in solitary confinement, and was released on $200,000 bail on 23 September 2009.

Shahrzad Kariman, Nazar Ahari’s mother, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that she and her daughter’s lawyers’ endless search for locating case files in different branches of the Revolutionary Courts have been fruitless.

The Evin Court judge has received Nazar Ahari’s most recent defense, charging her with “propagation against the regime through cooperation with CHRR’s website,” and “actions against national security through participation in gatherings on 4 November 2009 and 7 December 2009.” Nazar Ahari has denied participation in the mentioned gatherings and stated she was working during both events.

Nazar Ahari was arrested last year on 20 December 2009 along with Kouhyar Goudarzi and Saeed Haeri, two other members of the independent organization. On that day, a bus taking several political and civil activists to Ayatollah Montazeri’s funeral in Qom was stopped by security forces in Tehran’s Enghelab Square. Three members of CHRR were arrested and transferred to Evin Prison.

Regarding the latest attempt to locate her daughter’s case file, Shahrzad Kariman told the Campaign: “I went to the court twice. They didn’t give me any information about her first file and whether the file is under review in Branch 26 or not. One of Shiva’s lawyers, Ms. Moezzi, was told that her file is in Branch 26, but no registration number is available yet in the Branch’s computer. Regarding her second file, the Prosecutor ordered that both files be merged andreviewed in one place, but we don’t have any further news and no dates have been set for the trial. The 3rd Branch of Evin Court has informed Shiva of two charges. One is ‘creating public anxiety through writing on CHRR’s website and other sites,’ a charge which other members share. Her second charge is ‘actions against national security through participation in gatherings on 4 November 2009 and 7 December 2009 gatherings.’ Shiva has denied these charges because she wasn’t present at those gatherings and the Evin Court Judge has concluded the case as such. Today, [24 April 2010], I was at the court between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. When I went to Branch 26, they told me that I had to file a new inquiry to confirm that the file is there. When I went to file an inquiry, they told me that the first file is in Branch 2 and there is no new information about it. The new file, dated 20 December 2009, was sent to Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Courts, but I was told at that branch that Shiva had objected to her arrest orders and after reviewing her objection, her case file was forwarded, but they wouldn’t tell me where.”

Navid Khanjani

In the most recent meeting with her mother last Thursday, Nazar Ahari said that the judge in Branch 3 of Evin Prison Court informed her after receiving her most recent defense, that her case file was forwarded to a trial court. Additionally, due to her imprisonment, she was told efforts would be made to expedite her trial date. Kariman described Nazar Ahari’s mental state as “good,” and about her conditions in prison said: “Shiva remains in Ward 209 and even though she requested to be moved to the [General] Ward,remains in a two-person cell with Ms. [Hengameh] Shahidi. Her psychological state was good, but she has been in prison for five months. Her temporary detention orders, valid for two months, have expired and not been extended.”

Regarding the pursuit of Nazar Ahari’s case files, Kariman said: “Her lawyers keep going to court, but when they go to Branch 26 they receive no answers about her 14 June 2009 case which contains an indictment and has already been allocated to a branch. The branch office manager has been kind enough to acknowledge that the file is in that branch, but said the case doesn’t have a registration number and it cannot be located in the computer.”

Kariman also referred to the inappropriate treatment she has received during visits with her daughter and the limitations created for her in-person visits. Describing the visits she said: “The treatment is not very good. Shiva was very unhappy with the treatment at visitation time and said that they insult and yell at her. There are no particular problems with visits through booths, but in-person visits have become problematic and no family members other than parents are allowed to visit. Continuing this situation will be very difficult, as Shiva’s sisters have been unable to see her. If visits are limited like this, it will not just be difficult for us, it will be difficult for all prisoners. First, they were going to let [other family members] have in-person visits along with parents, but apparently the Prosecutor has ordered that only the father, mother, or spouse can have in-person visits, limiting the right of family members.”

Kariman said she remains hopeful that Shiva will be released soon on the bail they had previously posted. “We posted a $200,000 bail in her previous case, and we haven’t requested a bail refund yet. I thought if they combined the two files to issue new bail orders, the existing bail would serve for her release. I don’t know if they would release her on the same bail or a lower bail. I am optimistic that they will not ask for a higher bail.”

Currently Navid Khanjani and Kouhyar Goudarzi, two other members of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters remain in prison. Kouhyar Goudarzi is in Ward 350 and Navid Khanjani is in IRGC’s Ward 2-A at Evin Prison. Another CHRR member, Ali Kalaee, was informed in writing yesterday to appear at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Courts in order to continue investigations.

 

 

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

Posted on: http://persian2english.com/?p=9938

-----------
Link to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, pick any of these laws, and you will see that the Iran government has violated these laws at the basic level.

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Additional reading:
A letter from Shiva's mother to Shiva: http://persian2english.com/?p=11368
A letter from Shiva to her father on Father's Day:
http://persian2english.com/?p=12196

Petition:

We the undersigned request the following:

1) Shiva Nazar Ahari needs to be immediately released and for ALL charges against her need to be dropped.

2) The Iranian government must abide the international human rights laws of the UN Charter in which they are a state party and members of the UN.

3) To release all human rights activists, protesters, students, and political prisoners being held in prison and being raped and tortured by the Iran government.

The mother of imprisoned human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari writes a letter for her daughter.

Letter: For My Daughter, Shiva Nazar Ahari

June 05, 2010

Deutsche Übersetzung auf Julias Blog lesen


The mother of imprisoned human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari writes a letter for her daughter.


Dear daughter

,


It seems like it is now normal in this world to imprison people for the crimes of seeking freedom and loving human beings. You have been imprisoned for more than six months for this very crime. As a mother, I am proud of you. You were always the best and you still are.

My dear daughter, when I went to the university to pick up your diploma, every official at the university congratulated me for having a daughter with such perseverance, and they prayed that in the future, imprisonment would not be the penalty for loving human beings and seeking justice.

And now I yell out from the bottom of my heart with a loud voice: I have raised Shiva on my lap. And if someone deserves to be in prison it is me, not Shiva!

Therefore, put me in chains and release my daughter.

Your mother,
Shahrzad Kariman

Translation: Tour Irani

Letter for Father’s Day by Shiva Nazar Ahari: “Dad, Stay Strong”

Letter for Father’s Day by Shiva Nazar Ahari: “Dad, Stay Strong”

June 26, 2010

Human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari has not celebrated two consecutive Father’s Days at home. Last year when Shiva was behind bars in ward 209 of Evin prison, she used the pen and paper her interrogator left behind in her cell to write a letter to her father. When she was temporarily released for a few months, she delivered the letter.
The Committee of Human Rights Reporters published the letter on Father’s Day of this year while Shiva remains detained in prison.  On June 20, 2010, Shiva Nazar Ahari was transferred from ward 209 to the public ward in Evin prison.

Dad, Stay Strong

By SHIVA NAZAR AHARI
I was not there on Mother’s Day to kiss my mom’s hands and now I am not there for you on Father’s Day. Dear dad, there is only one day designated to you out of the 365 days. Let your tears roll down through the crevices of my loneliness. Let your tears drown me amidst all the crimes that I have not committed.
Dad, go ahead and cry. It is your right to pour out pain. It has been months since I slept in the room next to yours. You have no news of your daughter. This is your day and, once again, I am not there. Dad, despite all the resistance I am putting forth, my hands are still missing your hands. Dad, my shoulders still crave your shoulders. Even though I have grown up, even though I do my homework in a prison called Evin, and even though I have gained a lot of strength, I still feel like I am missing a part of me when you are not there.
Dear dad, whenever I cross a street, my hands crave for your hands to save me from oncoming traffic. Every morning, I cry with my hands pressed against the walls as I lean on my will power.
You taught me not to break down. Your words and your bedtime stories gave meaning to resistance. You said that injustice will pass and the legend of good people will remain.
I didn’t want to be here. You taught me to be here. I regurgitate your words every day. I don’t want to allow all this loneliness and silence to break me down.
Dad, go ahead and cry, but not for me. Cry for a motherland that sends its best children to prison. But stay strong, dad. My shoulders need the strength of your shoulders. Don’t you let your back bend under pressure or I won’t have anything to lean against. Stay strong, dad.

Translation: Tour Irani | Persian2English.com

Jailed Iranian student leader moved to new prison

Jailed Iranian student leader moved to new prison

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Jailed Iranian student leader Majid Tavakoli has been transferred from Tehran's Evin prison to the nearby Rajaeeshahr prison, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.
Tavakoli's brother, Ali Tavakoli, told RFE/RL that neither Majid's lawyer nor his family were told that Majid had been transferred on August 15 to the prison in Karaj, which is 20 kilometers outside of Tehran.

"One of our friends from Rajaeeshahr prison told us that he saw Majid in the quarantine section," Ali Tavakoli told RFE/RL. "Our last contact with Majid was 22 days ago."
Ali Tavakoli said the family has no knowledge of Majid's health. They said he was one of 17 political prisoners who recently went on a hunger strike for several weeks.
At one point during the strike, Tavakoli was reportedly transferred to the hospital in Evin prison due to failing health.

Ali Tavakoli said that his parents are old and in poor health and therefore unable to visit the prison frequently.
Majid Tavakoli -- one of the most prominent symbols of Iran's embattled student movement -- was arrested in December 2009. His arrest came shortly after he accused the Iranian government of human rights abuses and of "enmity against democracy" during a rally at Tehran's Amirkabir University.

Rajaeeshahr has been described by some news organizations as a notorious prison, where political prisoners are often transfered as punishment.

Ali Tavakoli told RFE/RL that his brother has not been charged with any crime or sentenced.

Keyvan Samimi Finally Ends His Hunger Strike - Ahamadi-Amouei, Momeni and Samimi return to Evin's General Ward

Keyvan Samimi Finally Ends His Hunger Strike - Ahamadi-Amouei, Momeni and Samimi return to Evin's General Ward

 

Wednesday August 18th, 2010 - Summary: The last three prisoners formerly on hunger strike and in Evin's solitary confinement were transferred to the general ward at Evin's ward 350.  Despite the fact that they were transferred to the general ward, telephone contact with ward 350 remains banned, leaving families extremely concerned about their loved ones and wondering why they are still deprived of contact given that the prisoners are no longer in solitary confinement.

According to information received by Kaleme from Evin prison, previously 12 of the political prisoners formerly on a two week hunger strike were transferred to the general ward. The last three prisoners were allowed to join them last night (Tuesday) after enduring 25 days in solitary confinement.

The 17 political prisoners at Evin were transferred 25 days ago to solitary confinement as a result of protesting against unacceptable prison conditions and insulting behavior by prison guards. Upon being transferred to solitary confinement these 17 prisoners began a two week hunger strike.

The last three political prisoners, Ahamdi-Amouei, Momeni and Samimi were also taken to the prosecutor's office at Evin yesterday and discussed the reasons for their protest and their demands with Tehran's Deputy Prosecutor Noroozi for several hours. The meeting was reportedly civilized and the Deputy to Tehran's Prosecutor promised to address their demands in the near future. He also stated that he is hopeful that the conditions at Evin's ward 350 will improve.

Keyvan Samimi, journalist and the last political prisoner on hunger strike also ended his hunger strike after his transfer to the general ward.  Despite the fact that a few days ago the prisoners who had ended their hunger strike because of requests by Mousavi, Karroubi and other individuals who worried about their well being, had asked Samimi to also put an end to his hunger strike, Samimi had insisted that he will continue until all political prisoners were transferred back to the general ward at Evin. Once this demand had been met, Samimi also ended his hunger strike last night.

As such, with the release of Ali Bordbar, one of the protesting political prisoners, all other prisoners formerly on hunger strike, with the exception of Majid Tavakoli who was transferred to Rajai Shahr prison are now back in Evin's ward 350.

Ali Malihi, student activist and member of Daftar-e Tahkim Vahdat (student alumni organization), Bahman Ahmad Amouie, journalist, Hossein Nourinejad, journalist and member of the Participation Front (reformist party), Abdollah Momeni, student activist and spokesperson for Daftar-e Tahkim Vahdat, Ali Parviz, student activist, Hamid Reza Mohammadi, political activist, Jafar Eghdami, civil society activist, Zia Nabavi, starred student and member of the Council to Defend the Right to Education, Ebrahim (Nader) Babaie, civil society activist and an injured veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, Kouhyar Goodarzi, human rights activist and blogger, Majid Dori, student activist, Keyvan Samimi, journalist, Gholam Hossein Arashi, Mohammad Hossein 

Sohrabi Rad arrested during an Ashura protest in Tehran are amongst the prisoners transferred to solitary confinement who had been on a hunger strike and are now back in Evin's general ward 350.

Source: Kaleme: http://www.kaleme.com/1389/05/27/klm-29490

Political Prisoner Rahim Rash Tortured, Remains on Hunger Strike after 26 Days

Political Prisoner Rahim Rash Tortured, Remains on Hunger Strike after 26 Days

August 18, 2010

Rahim Rash’s son: “My father has been tortured; he will not end his hunger strike”
Reporter: Saman Rasoulpour, Rooz Online

August 17, 2010


Rooz Online reporter Saman Rasoulpour conducted an interview with Soran Rash, the son of political prisoner Rahim Rash. He talked of his father’s physical condition. Rahim Rash’s hunger strike, that he launched to protest against torture and his detention, has reached its 26th day. Rahim Rash is in critical condition. Soran Rash stated,  ”My father was tortured in Orumiyeh detention centre [in northwestern Iran] and will continue his strike despite the fact that he has lost a lot of weight and cannot walk on his own.”

English translation of the interview provided by Siavosh Jalili for Persian2English

Rooz Online: Mr. Rash, what is the lastest news on your father’s condition? Is he still on hunger strike?
Soran Rashi (SR): On Sunday, our family visited my father. He said that he is continuing his hunger strike. It has now been 26 days.
Rooz: Where did the visit take place? How was your father’s physical state?
SR: A few days prior to our visit, my father was transferred from the IRGC Orumiyeh prison to the Mahabad General prison. The transfer took place following the deterioration of my father’s health. Our family visited my father after the transfer. He has lost a lot of weight and is in critical condition. He was taken to the prison clinic several times and he was connected to serums. My father cannot stand on his feet and he walks with the help of others.
Rooz: Mr. Rash, what did your father say about his charges against him and the treatment he received from security officials?
SR: They have only orally stated the charges against my father which are  ”acting againt national security” and “enmity against god”.  My dad said that he was tortured and abused in the Orumiyeh detention centre.
Rooz: Your father was tortured while on hunger strike?
SR: Yes! My father went on hunger strike a day after he was arrested and he continues to be on strike to this day. My father was subjected to torture in the Revolutionary Guards Intelligence detention centre in Orumiyeh. My father says that one of the reasons he continues his hunger strike is because of the tortures and abuses inflicted on him. We, however, do not know the details of the acts of torture.
Rooz: Has a trial date been set? Is it possible that he will be freed before the trial?
SR: My father did not accept any of the charges against him. Three others were arrested from our village at the same time as my father. These three people are currently detained in the security and intelligence detention centre in Orumiyeh. My father stated that there is a high chance that he his trial will not take place until the other three are transferred to the Mahabad detention centre as well.
Rooz: Do they all face the same charges?
SR: My father and the three others were arrested on the same night and they were transferred to the Mahabad detention centre. That is why we think that my dad will probably be tried when the other three are also transferred to Mahabad. The reason my father was transferred is because he launched a hunger strike. Of course, we do not see any connection between my father’s condition and them.
Rooz: Given the dire state Mr. Rash is in, has your family asked him to end his strike?
SR: Prison officials as well as my mother and brother have asked him to end his strike. Initially,  my father went on strike to protest his detention, however, after he was mistreated in the detention centre, he is more determined to continue with his strike.
Rooz: Even though his physical condition has deteriorated gravely?
SR: Yes. My father was also arrested in 1997 when he was taken to Saqez prison. That time, rarely anyone believed that he would be able to last a 36-day hunger strike. Eventually my father was brought home on a stretcher. The doctor [on the case] said that if my father had continued his hunger strike, he would have only survived a few more days. The news did not receive media coverage back then because unlike today, the Internet and other forms of media were not pervasive. Despite all this, my father was exonerated and freed. This time as well, my father insists to continue his hunger strike until he is released.