2016 Iran: Concern for Narges Mohammadi
Norwegian PEN has sent an appeal to the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to the Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights, regarding the case of journalist and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi.
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street, Qom,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Oslo, 06.10.2016
Your Excellency,
With great sorrow and concern, Norwegian PEN has received the news that the 16-year prison sentence against prominent journalist and human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, who is critically ill, has been upheld on appeal.
PEN International has been calling on the Iranian authorities to quash all the convictions of Narges Mohammadi and release her immediately and unconditionally as she is imprisoned for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression. We have also expressed grave concern for the health and welfare of Narges Mohammadi, and urged the authorities to allow Mohammadi regular access to her family, including regular telephone calls to her children who are abroad.Most of all we wish to see this brave woman set free, and to register that the right to freedom of expression in Iran is fully respected in law and practice as provided for under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a state party. This sentence comes as Iran’s authorities are preparing for renewed bilateral dialogue with the EU, and casts serious doubts over Iran’s commitment to engage meaningfully with the EU on human rights issues.Norwegian PEN urges the Iranian authorities to repeal the grave sentence against Nargas Mohammadi. Yours sincerely,Ms Brit Bildøen
PEN International has been calling on the Iranian authorities to quash all the convictions of Narges Mohammadi and release her immediately and unconditionally as she is imprisoned for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression. We have also expressed grave concern for the health and welfare of Narges Mohammadi, and urged the authorities to allow Mohammadi regular access to her family, including regular telephone calls to her children who are abroad.Most of all we wish to see this brave woman set free, and to register that the right to freedom of expression in Iran is fully respected in law and practice as provided for under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a state party. This sentence comes as Iran’s authorities are preparing for renewed bilateral dialogue with the EU, and casts serious doubts over Iran’s commitment to engage meaningfully with the EU on human rights issues.Norwegian PEN urges the Iranian authorities to repeal the grave sentence against Nargas Mohammadi. Yours sincerely,Ms Brit Bildøen
Chair of Writers in Prison Committee
Norwegian PEN
COPIES TO:
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Oslo,
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights, Mohammed Javad Larijan.
In June 2016, Narges Mohammadi wrote a letter to PEN International, explaining her conditions in prison, calling for help to combat the use of solitary confinement as torture.
