Human Rights Organizations Call for Dropping Charges Against Hossein Ronaghi
A number of international human rights organizations issued a statement calling on the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to drop all charges against Hossein Ronaghi, a civil rights activist.
The statement, signed by organizations including Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, PEN America, PEN Iraq, and the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, emphasizes that the charges against Mr. Ronaghi were solely due to his peaceful exercise of his human rights, including protesting against the dire human rights situation in the country and the proposed bill called “Protection of Cyberspace,” which if passed would lead to further violations of people’s rights.
Hossein Ronaghi was released on bail eight days after his arrest, late on Wednesday, March 1st. The signatory organizations state that Mr. Ronaghi’s rights to a fair trial were violated during this arrest.
The statement, citing Hossein Ronaghi’s lawyer, notes that in a prosecutor’s session it was determined that he has been charged with “propaganda against the system” and “conspiracy to undermine national security.”
Mr. Ronaghi previously spent six years in prison on political charges, which the human rights organizations’ statement also references. The statement says that Hossein Ronaghi’s physical condition deteriorated severely during his imprisonment due to torture, mistreatment by officials, and multiple hunger strikes, while during his recent arrest he had neither access to a lawyer nor was able to visit his family members.
The aforementioned organizations further noted in their statement that for several days after Mr. Ronaghi’s arrest, no information about him was given to his family, and his lawyer also had no access to his case file—all of which constitute violations of his right to fair trial.
The signatories then called for Mr. Hossein Ronaghi’s bail to result in his complete and unconditional release, and for the charges against him to be dropped.
They finally asked Iranian authorities to end the judicial prosecution of human rights defenders and those who express their opposition through peaceful means.
During previous arrests and prolonged torture in the prisons of the Islamic Republic, Hossein Ronaghi developed various illnesses including kidney failure, blood clotting disorders, and digestive problems, and is currently undergoing treatment.
The Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation, the Kordpa Human Rights Organization, and the International Foundation to Support Human Rights Defenders are among other signatories of this statement.
Source: Radio Farda
