Amnesty: Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is believed to have suffered a heart attack again in prison

PUBLIC

AI Index: MDE 13/179/2008
19 December 2008

Further Information on UA 171/07 (MDE 13/081/2007, 4 July 2007) and follow-up (MDE 13/091/2007, 19 July 2007; MDE 13/127/2007, 1 November 2007; MDE 13/071/2008, 21 May 2008 and MDE 13/086/2008, 25 June 2008) - Fear of Torture/ Prisoner of conscience/ Medical concern

IRAN Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand (m), human rights defender, journalist
Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is believed to have suffered a heart attack on 17 December. He was taken to the medical facility in Evin Prison, but no doctor was available as it was a national holiday in Iran. Amnesty International is concerned that he is not receiving adequate medical care.

Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand has been in poor health for some time. Earlier in December 2008, he was examined by a prison doctors who noted that he was suffering from dizziness and unstable blood pressure, and that existing problems with his kidneys and prostate were worsening. He is believed to have been seen by a heart specialist and an urologist while in prison. In May 2008, he collapsed in prison and was unconscious for about 30 minutes.

In recent months, doctors at Evin Prison had requested that Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand be granted specialist treatment. However, the prison authorities have not permitted him to receive medical care outside prison. Article 229 of the Prison Regulations stipulates that a prisoner suffering from a serious medical condition whose condition cannot be treated inside prison, or whose condition will worsen if they stay in prison, should be released by the prison authorities for one month’s medical leave, renewable, on the recommendation of a doctor and with the agreement of the Prison Director.

Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is serving a 10-year sentence for “acting against state security by establishing an illegal group [the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK)]” which was upheld by Branch 54 of the Appeal Court in Tehran on 28 September 2008. Amnesty International considers Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand to be a prisoner of conscience, held solely on account of his peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association in relation to his position as chair of the HROK and his activities as a journalist.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Kurdish minority in Iran lives mainly in the west and north-west of the country, in the province of Kurdistan and neighbouring provinces bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. The HROK was founded by Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand in April 2005 and has between 100 and 200 members. The authorities have never granted it official recognition as a non-governmental body, despite a longstanding request. The objectives of the HROK include the protection of fundamental rights such as those set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international conventions; the teaching, dissemination and encouragement of respect for human rights; and the development of friendly relations between the peoples of Iran based on the principle of equality before the law.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:

- expressing concern that Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is not receiving adequate medical treatment in detention;
- urging the authorities to grant him immediate access to adequate medical treatment, including outside the prison if necessary;
- calling on them to release Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

APPEALS TO:
Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud 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
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your Excellency

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
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
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (there are problems with this line, please try three times)
Email: int_aff@judiciary.ir (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)

COPIES TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir
Salutation: Your Excellency

President, His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: + 98 21 6 649 5880
Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
via website: http://www.president.ir/en/president/email/index.php or http://www.president.ir/en/

and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 January 2009.