Amnesty International Calls for Immediate Release of Amir Salar Davoudi, Imprisoned Lawyer in Iran
Amnesty International released an appeal calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Amir Salar Davoudi, a lawyer imprisoned in Iran.
Amnesty International on Tuesday, February 18, released this appeal requesting people and human rights activists around the world to write letters to Ebrahim Raisi, the Head of the Judiciary, demanding the release of this lawyer.
The human rights organization asked people and activists to respond to Amir Salar Davoudi’s release through their own words and pens, inspired by this appeal, and to request that Iran’s authorities ensure that this imprisoned lawyer, who is in prison for his human rights activities, maintains regular contact with his family members until his release.
The human rights institution also requested that the Head of Iran’s Judiciary stop harassment and pressure on defense lawyers and allow this lawyer to have access to a legal representative or his appointed lawyer until his release.
It should be noted that Amir Salar Davoudi, a first-rank licensed lawyer and member of the Central Bar Association, went on a hunger strike starting February 9 in protest of not being granted leave by judicial authorities after 15 months of detention. On Wednesday, February 19, he announced in a letter that he had ended his hunger strike after 11 days.
Amnesty International in another section of this appeal called for this imprisoned lawyer to have access to adequate medical services in accordance with medical ethics and informed consent.
In this appeal, the human rights organization asked people and human rights activists around the world to request from Ebrahim Raisi to ensure that Iran’s judicial system stops harassment and pressure on human rights defense lawyers and refrains from bringing criminal charges or any other legal proceedings against them.
Amir Salar Davoudi, who in recent years has represented a number of political and ideological prisoners including Soheil Arabi, was arrested on November 20 of last year when judicial officers visited his office and was transferred to Evin Prison.
This lawyer has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in two separate cases on charges of “insulting officials and propaganda against the system,” “cooperation with hostile states through an interview with the Voice of America television network,” and “forming a group to overthrow the government.” According to Islamic Penal Code law, 15 years of this sentence will be enforced.
Previously, Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Research Director at Amnesty International, reacted to the 30-year prison sentence and 111 lashes against Amir Salar Davoudi, a first-rank licensed lawyer and member of the Central Bar Association, saying: “This is a shocking harsh sentence and cruel injustice.”
Amnesty International stated in its latest annual report on human rights conditions that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s authorities in 2019 “severely” suppressed the “right to freedom of expression, association and assembly” of Iran’s people.
International organizations, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, say that the Islamic Republic of Iran violates freedom of expression and restricts media.
Source: Voice of America
