Iran: Arbitrary detention of human rights activist Mr. Ferzad Kamanger

Widad Akrawi
2008 / 1 / 9

Human rights activist and high school teacher Mr. Kamanger has been arrested for unspecified reasons for more than one year. His family and lawyer have not been allowed to meet him.
Mr. Kamanger is suffering from haemorrhage and has been subjected to torture. Consequently he sustained severe injuries to his left leg.

Name: Ferzad Kamanger
Sex: Male
Age: 31
Authorities: Iranian
Category: Prisoners of conscience / Arbitrary detentions / Fear of torture or ill-treatments / Judicial proceedings / Harassment / Concern about prisoners’ health

The case:
According to the information received, on November 2007, Mr. Ferzad Kamanger, a human rights activist and high school teacher, was arrested for unspecified reasons on August 18, 2006 by officers of the Iranian intelligence service.

He has been held in Kamiyaran, Kirmanshah, Sanandaj and the infamous cell 209 of Evin prison. No information could be obtained as regards the reasons for his arrest, and his family and lawyer have not been allowed to meet him.

Mr. Kamanger is suffering from haemorrhage and has been subjected to torture. Consequently he sustained severe injuries to his left leg. While in prison he has also got a urinary tract infection, which, if left untreated can become something more serious than a set of uncomfortable symptoms.

Mr. Kamanger is member of the board of “Kamiyaran Union of Teachers” and member of the “Royan Magazine” editorial staff.


DI Views & Demands:
Defend International express deep concern about the increasing repression of the Iranian authorities against human rights activists. The organization condemn the Iranian authorities’ oppression against human rights activists.
Respect for basic human rights in Iran, particularly freedom of expression and opinion, deteriorated in 2007. Torture and ill-treatment in detention, including indefinite solitary confinement, is used repeatedly to punish non-violent protesters and peaceful activists. Mainly press freedom and freedom of expression and opinion has been suppressed systematically In Iran.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration in particular outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.


International law

The ICCPR states:

Article 7
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.

Article 9
1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention…
2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.
3. Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release…
4. Anyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in order that that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of his detention and order his release if the detention is not lawful.
5. Anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation.

Article 10
1. All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.


Defend International reiterate that as a member of the Human Rights Council, Iran has accepted to “uphold to the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights”.

Defend International will continue to monitor the situation of human rights defenders in Iran closely.


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

www.defendinternational.org


------------------------------------

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,
Email: [email protected]


Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,


--------------

President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Fax: + 98.21.649.5880,
E-mail: [email protected]


Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,


--------------------------

Head of the Judiciary,
His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi,
Ministry of Justice,
Park-e Shahr,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Fax: +98.21.879.6671 / +98 21 3 311 6567 / +98 21 3 390 4986,
Email: [email protected]

Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,


-------------------------------

Minister of Foreign Affairs,
His Excellency Mr. Manuchehr Motaki,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Fax: + 98.21.390.1999


Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,


-------------------------------------------------------



Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran,
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani,
C/o Office of the Deputy for International Affairs,
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice Building,
Panzdah-Khordad (Ark) Square,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: + 98 21 5 537 8827


Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,





----------------------------------------------------------------

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



Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,




-------------------------------

Ambassador Mr. Ahani,
Embassy of Iran in Brussels,
avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 15 A. 1050 Bruxelles,
Belgium,
Fax: + 32 2 762 39 15


Your Excellency,

I am writing you to express my deepest concern that Mr. Ferzad Kamanger has been arrested since August 2006.

I urge you to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ferzad Kamanger as well as all human rights activists in Iran.

I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it only seems to sanction his human rights activities.

I seek assurances that he is no longer at risk of torture or ill-treatment. I also seek assurances that he will be given access to his family and to all necessary medical care, if necessary outside the detention facility.

I urge you to put an end to all acts of harassment, including physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, provocations, arbitrary detentions and torture against all human rights defenders. I call also on you to drop charges filed against them and investigate the alleged arbitrary arrest and torture of the prisoners.

These incidents of harassment and intimidation are in direct violation of the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of assembly, as provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, as well as in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 1998. This declaration outlines the duty of states to take all necessary measures to protect human rights defenders from violence and arbitrary action.

Finally I urge you to ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I look for your urgent intervention into this matter.

Yours respectfully,





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