نامه جمعیت دفاع از آزادی و حقوق بشر در ایران به دبیرکل سازمان ملل

From: The Society for the Defense of Freedom and Human Rights in Iran (SDFHI)
To: His Excellency Ban Ki- Moon, UN Secretary General
Subject: Dr. Abrahim Yazdi

1 December 2010

Monsieur le Secrétaire Général

The United Nation has an important role to play in the protection on Human Rights.

SDFHI wishes to participate fully in this. That is why we wish to draw your attention to the Dr. Ebrahim Yazdi situation as an oldest political prisoner in Iran.

As you know Islamic Republic of Iran is signatory to the international covenants on Civil and Political Rights, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Unfortunately, however, it does not abide by its obligations, in law or in practice. Below is summary of Dr. Yazdi’s situation whose life is in serious danger.

Dr.Yazdi, the General Secretary of the Freedom Movement of Iran and one of the most famous activists on the human rights, was arrested on October 1, 2010 by secret agents of the Iranian government in Isfahan.

Now, after two months has passed since the illegitimate and brutal detention of Ebrahim Yazdi, who survived prostate cancer, and underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery, was transferred from Isfahan to Tehran to Section 209 of the Evin prison.

We have to inform you that, this is the third time Dr. Yazdi has been detained since the June 2009 presidential election. As the leader of one of the oldest political parties in Iran, Dr. Yazdi had stood against authoritarianism and dictatorship his entire political life and committed himself to the cause of political and civil freedom.

He devoted himself and his party to legal opposition, reform in the political system and non-violent politics. In June 2009, he was arrested and taken from a hospital bed in the ICU ward to the Evin prison and after a public outcry was returned to the hospital within two days. On December 29, 2009, he was again detained, this time taken from his home at 3 am and held in solitary confinement at Evin prison for fifty days, until, after his health deteriorated, he was rushed to the hospital and underwent open heart surgery.

All of the allegations from the Iranian government lead to one conclusion – they wish to silence this well known and outspoken pro-democracy and human rights activist from promoting dialogue among political groups who similarly reject theocratic authoritarianism. The government has not hesitated to arrest him and his party members under false accusations and fabricated charges.

According to the recent United Nations’ reports of human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran (A/65/370 /15 September 2010) torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including flogging and amputations are exercised in Iran:

We are gravely concerned to be at risk of torture or other ill treatment, after two months Dr. Abrahim Yazdi was arrested in connection with his perceived views on Iran’s disputed presidential election.

We ask you strongly to pressure the Iranian government to release Dr. Yazdi and all political prisoners and cease the threats of arrest and intimidation of all non-violent civil political activists.

Sincerely,
N.Nourizadeh,

Behalf of the Society for the Defense of Freedom and Human Rights in Iran (SDFHI)
www.irhumanrights.com