2019 Iran: Narges Mohammadi
Journalist, menneskerettighetsforkjemper og Norsk PENs æresmedlem Narges Mohammadi er akutt syk, men får ikke nødvendig medinsk tilsyn og behandling i Evin-fengselet, der hun soner en dom på seks år – utelukkende på grunn av sitt arbeid for menneskerettigheter og demokrati i Iran. Øivind Hånes i Norsk PENs komité for fengslede forfattere krever i sitt brev til iranske myndigheter at Narges Mohammadi umiddelbart får den livreddende medisinske behandlingen hun behøver, og at hun løslates uten betingelser.
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President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Hassan Rouhani
Oslo, 6th of June 2019
Dear Mr. President,
Norwegian PEN is deeply concerned for the health and wellbeing of prominent journalist and human rights defender Narges Mohammadi who is currently in Evin prison, serving a six-year prison sentence for her human rights activities. In prison, she has developed a serious infection as a result of the conditions of her detention. In May 2019, following a sharp deterioration in her health, the prison authorities transferred Mohammadi to a hospital where she underwent an emergency hysterectomy. However, after surgery Mohammadi was immediately transferred back to Evin prison where she is denied necessary medication including antibiotics. Consequently, Mohammadi’s surgery wounds have become infected, and the infection has entered her bloodstream. She urgently requires medical care and medicines including antibiotics.
Narges Mohammadi was first arrested in June 2010 before being released on bail pending trial. On 26 September 2011 she was sentenced to five years in prison for ‘gathering and colluding with intent to harm national security’, one year in prison for ‘spreading propaganda against the system’ and 10 years for ‘founding and running an illegal organisation’ for her work with Legam, advocating against the death penalty. She remained free on bail and the sentence was reduced to six years on appeal in April 2012, when she was summoned to serve out her sentence. Mohammadi’s health has sharply declined as a result of her imprisonment. She recently published an open letter where she powerfully describes the prison conditions which have led to her severe health problems.
Norwegian PEN is expressing serious concern for the health of Narges Mohammadi, urging the authorities to permit her access to all necessary medical care as a matter of urgency. We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and all those detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression. We are also demanding a full investigation into reports that Mohammadi is being ill-treated and denied adequate medical care in prison.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Øivind Hånes
Chair of Writers in Prison Committee
Norwegian PEN
COPY:
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Embassy of Iran, Oslo
