Paris, 18 October 2007 - The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI) strongly condemn the execution of two members of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) on October 17th 2007. The two men, whose identities were not revealed by the Iranian authorities, were executed by hanging, in Sanandaj, a city at the heart of the Iranian Kurdistan. They were accused of the assassination of a member of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (Revolutionary Guard, pasdar), committed allegedly in January 2007. The Iranian regime has not made public any details regarding the arrest, the detention nor the conditions of the judiciary process of the persons executed. FIDH and LDDHI reiterate their absolute opposition to the capital punishment. We deplore the total lack of transparency regarding this case and fear that the executions took place following an unfair trial.
In addition, FIDH and LDDHI express their deep concern regarding the sentencing, by the Revolutionary Court of Teheran, of 3 student activists, arrested 6 months ago. On October 16th 2007, Majid TAVAKOLI, Ahmad GHASABAN and Ehsan MANSOURI were sentenced respectively into 3 years, 2 years and a half and 2 years of imprisonment for having "undermined the security of the state". They are currently detained in the Evin prison. According to their lawyer, they will lodge an appeal. FIDH and LDDHI call the judicial authorities to guarantee the right to fair trial for the 3 students as well as the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Furthermore, on October 14, 2007, Mr. Emadeddin Baghi was condemned by a Security Court in Tehran to one year in prison. He was accused of disclosing through his association, the Society for Defending Prisoners' Rights, secret information obtained from prisoners detained in security prisons. He is currently detained in Evin prison.
Ahead of the debate on the situation of human rights in Iran at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), FIDH and LDDHI call once again the Iranian authorities to ensure, in all circumstances, the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights commitments. FIDH and LDDHI reiterate their call to the international community to adopt a resolution on Iran, in the framework of the UNGA, thereby showing its solidarity with human rights defenders and democratic forces in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Press contact : +33-1 43 55 90 19
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Gaël Grilhot
Responsable du service de presse
Press Officer
FIDH
+33 1 43 55 90 19
+33 1 43 55 25 18
+33 6 10 60 05 57
www.fidh.org
source: www.fidh.org
