IMHRO: Free Mohammad Sadigh Kabodwand

Iranian Minorities’ Human Rights Organisation (IMHRO)

Ref.IMHRO.16

2008-07-03

Iranian revolutionary court, branch 15 in Tehran has sentenced Mr. Mohammad Sadigh Kabodwand, founder of the Kurdish Human Rights Centre to 11 years in prison.

Mr. Kabodwand who is kept in harsh conditions had a heart attack 2 months ago and he has been denied medical access and treatment.

The Iranian government accused him of “acts against national security”, having for the seventh time filtered the web site of the human rights organisation of Kurdistan.

Reza Washahi, researcher for minorities, told IMHRO that in revolutionary court style in Iran, there is no jury present, it is always behind close doors, international observers are not allowed to attend, lawyers usually do not have access to their client’s file until the last minute before the trial begins and most of the evidence is based on torture; judges are usually hand-picked by the security service. Detainees are kept in inhuman conditions and often under torture. In general all the process of pre-trial and the hearing are not according to international standards and covenants.

IMHRO strongly condemns the 11 year sentence of Mr. Mohammad Sadigh Kabodwand and thinks he should be rewarded not punished for being a human right activist. IMHRO also wants to highlight the fact that human rights activities are unfortunately considered to be against national security in Iran; this is a most clear sign of a totalitarian government.

IMHRO urges the Iranian government to release immediately and to compensate Mr. Mohammad Sadigh Kabodwand for the ill treatment he has received during his detention.

Background

The Kurdish minority in Iran which numbers up to 6 million people live in the west midland, north-west and north-east areas of Iran.

Iranian Kurdish people are denied social and political rights. Various human rights organisations report that hundreds of Kurds are in prison, some of them there for a very long time.

Recently reports indicate that there is huge arsenic pollution in the city of Ghorweh as a result of Gold mining by Chinese companies in Sargonay mine in south-east Kurdistan.

Mrs. Hana Abdi who is a campaigner for equality rights for women has been sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Action

Please write to the one of the following and share your concern about Mohammad Sadigh Kabodwand case. Write to the Iranian government and demand immediate release of Mohammad Sadigh Kabodwand.


Secretary General United Nations
The Honourable Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Headquarters
Room S-3800
New York, NY 10017
USA

Supreme Leader of Iran
Sayyed Ali Khamenei
E-mail via web site
http://www.leader.ir/

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Ms Louise Arbour
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10,
Switzerland

Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave
South of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran

Iranian President
Mahmud Ahmadinejad
E-mail via web site
http://www.president.ir/en/

European parliament Human Rights committee
Ms Hélène FLAUTRE
Bureau d'Hélène Flautre au Parlement européen
8G130,rue Wierz
B-1049, Bruxelles,
Belgique