Amnesty International: Student Leader Held in Harsh Conditions

30 , June , 2010

Amnesty International in a statement released on June 29, 2010 wrote: “Iranian student leader and prisoner of conscience Majid Tavakkoli, who is serving an eight and a half year prison sentence, has been moved to a section of Tehran’s Evin prison where conditions are particularly harsh and unsanitary. He is still suffering from a serious respiratory condition, and his health is likely to deteriorate further if he does not receive specialist medical care.”

29 June 2010
Document – Iran: Further information: Student leader held in harsh conditions
Majid Tavakkoli, aged 24, ended a seven-day total hunger strike on 29 May 2010. He had begun the hunger strike in protest at being placed in solitary confinement, but called it off following his transfer to a general section of Evin prison where he was held with other prisoners. On 22 June, he was moved to Section 350 of the prison, where conditions are said to be very poor. Cells are extremely overcrowded, with inadequate food and sanitary facilities for the prisoners held there. Majid Tavakkoli is suffering from a respiratory condition that has worsened since his arrest. He needs urgent medical care and Amnesty International fears that it might be withheld in order to place additional pressure on him.

Majid Tavakkoli was arrested on 7 December 2009 after making a speech at a student demonstration. His lawyer was not permitted to attend his trial, which took place in January 2010. Majid Tavakkoli has been sentenced to five years in prison for “participating in an illegal gathering”, one year for “propaganda against the system”; two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and six months for “insulting the President”. The verdict also included a five-year ban on participating in political activities, as well as a ban on his leaving the country. Amnesty International considers Majid Tavakkoli to be a prisoner of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:

Calling on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Majid Tavakkoli, as he is a prisoner of conscience held solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly;
In the meantime, calling for him to be given access to adequate medical care, including assessment and treatment by an independent specialist outside Evin prison if necessary;
Reminding the authorities that the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners require the provision of adequate space, bedding, ventilation, lighting, food and hygiene facilities.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 10 AUGUST 2010 TO:

Head of the Provincial Judiciary in Tehran

Ali Reza Avaei

Karimkhan Zand Avenue

Sana’i Avenue, Corner of Alley 17, No. 152

Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Email: avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir

Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei

share this on social networks: