Individuals at Risk

We've recently created a short video (<4 min) of two human rights defenders talking about what a difference Amnesty supporters have made in their lives and work by writing letters on their behalf. As you know, Amnesty members worldwide write countless letters every year to offer our support or intervene on behalf of individuals at risk. And every once in a while, we get a glimpse of what a huge impact these efforts can have.

Watch the video to hear from the horse's mouth what a difference your letters make...and be sure to keep on writing.

Hello Everyone,

I have some great news from Iran! Human rights defender Reza Abbasi was released on May 16th, a month before the end of his sentence.  Reza is a founder member of an organization which has been active in promoting democracy and human rights, and of the Alumni Association of Iran. He had been sentenced to one year's imprisonment in mid-October 2006: six months for "insulting the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and another six months for "propaganda against the system". On May 16th he was summoned from his cell and told that he would be transferred to another prison and that before this he would be able to meet with his family. The prison vehicle brought him to his house, where, without explanation, he was freed. He had not been scheduled to be released until June 22nd.

Because of fundamental flaws in the administration of justice in Iran, it is easy for the authorities to harass intellectuals, journalists and other human rights defenders. The Penal Code contains a number of vaguely-worded provisions, which prohibit a range of activities, including many connected with journalism and freedom of expression, permitted under international human rights law. Detainees are often held for weeks or months without access to their families, and are frequently denied access to a lawyer of their choice until an indefinite period of interrogation is completed.

Writing to Amnesty International, a colleague of Reza Abbasi said that "We are well aware that your appeals, aimed at increasing the pressure about him, were very effective and for that we are very thankful." 

Great work on writing those appeals!  Let this message be an encouragement for all of us to continue our important and life-saving work!

Best,

Rabeh UA Team

US-based academic Haleh Esfandiari was detained on May 8^th in Iran and is believed to be held without charge in Evin Prison.  Haleh Esfandiari is the Head of the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, and is a well-known advocate of dialogue between the US and Iranian governments.  Her expertise is in Middle Eastern women's issues, including democratic developments amongst Middle Eastern women, and contemporary Iranian intellectual currents and politics.  Haleh Esfandiari had been in Iran on a family visit and had not been permitted to leave the country since December 2006.  Since then, she had been repeatedly interrogated about her academic work and the Iran programs of the Wilson Center.

Amnesty International considers Haleh Esfandiari a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for her peaceful activities, including her academic work.  Amnesty International also fears that she is at risk of torture or ill-treatment, including a prolonged period of solitary confinement, in order to place pressure on her to "confess" to the allegations against her.  Click here to send appeals for the immediate release of Haleh Esfandiari.

(Picture courtesy of Woodrow Wilson Center)

Much Thanks!

Rabeh

UA Team