INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN

(April, 1, 2009) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called on the Iranian Judiciary to immediately release five members of the Al-Yasin Society who have been detained without explanation or justification during the past few months.
The detainees are Peyman Fatahi, Nazi Hesami, Morteza Rasoolian, Mitra Haji Najafi, and Aliyar Nik-Farman. They are reportedly held in section 209 of Evin prison, which is under the control of the Intelligence Ministry.

According to the Society’s spokeswoman abroad, Yalda Noorshahi, the organization is active in promoting the spiritual and cultural teachings of Peyman Fatahi. The Campaign believes the detainees are imprisoned solely based on their opinions and beliefs.

“There is no justification for these detentions. We are seriously concerned about the health and safety of the detainees,” the Campaign said.

Noorshahi told the Campaign that the physical condition and health of Fatahi and Hesami is poor and they need urgent medical attention. The Campaign reminds the Iranian authorities that under international law, they are fully responsible for the health and safety of persons in their custody.

In recent years, several prisoners have died inside Iranian prisons without any investigations to determine the cause. Most recently, Omid Reza Mirsayafi, an imprisoned blogger and journalist, died under suspicious circumstances inside Tehran’s Evin prison on 18 March 2009.

Mohammad Olyaeifard, Fatahi’s lawyer, told the Campaign that the authorities have brought security-related charges against him and that he is held in solitary confinement.

“These individuals have not broken any laws and their right to freedom of expression and opinion are being grossly violated. They should be immediately released,” the Campaign said.[1]
 
                                                                            

 
 


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[1] http://www.iranhumanrights.org/themes/news/single-news/article/release-members-of-al-yasin-society.html