Human Rights Watch: Prison Sentences Issued for 24 Protesters in Tehran

According to Human Rights Watch, 24 individuals who participated in a protest rally in Tehran have been sentenced to prison. Prison sentences for at least two of them were issued for reporting on Mordad month protests on social media networks.

On Monday, November 14 (November 5), the Human Rights Watch organization published news on its website about the conviction of more than 24 individuals who participated in demonstrations in Mordad month protesting against abnormal economic conditions and administrative corruption.

The human rights organization, citing “three sources familiar with the protesters’ case,” wrote that the convicts were accused of “assembly and conspiracy against national security” through “participation in unauthorized protest that disrupted public order.”

According to Human Rights Watch, the sentences of at least two people, including 19-year-old Saba Kardafshri, were issued for reporting on Mordad month protests on social media networks.

In continuation of the organization’s report, it was emphasized that the detainees had no access to a defense lawyer during interrogation and trial, and officials pressured them to accept “their guilt.”

“Two informed sources” told Human Rights Watch that judicial authorities prevented the involvement of family-selected lawyers in the cases during trials.

The defendants were sentenced to imprisonment between six months and six years.

“Pressures Add to Discontent”

Human Rights Watch, in continuation of its report, in addition to the protests that began in Mordad month in Isfahan and included other cities including Tehran, also addressed other recent protests and arrests of protesters.

Michael Page, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East Division, said: “Iranian authorities constantly claim that successive protest movements demonstrate the existence of real freedoms in Iran, but protesters are sentenced to years in prison.”

According to Page, judicial prosecution of participants in peaceful protests only adds to the growing discontent of Iranians.

Deaths of Detainees and Pressure on Iran

Human Rights Watch, in continuation of its Monday report, also referred to the deaths of some detainees. In this regard, the names of Reza Otadi, Sina Ghanbari, Vahid Heidari, Kavous Seyed Emami, and Mohammad Raji were mentioned.

To clarify the death of Otadi, a special committee was formed with the participation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the anti-intelligence unit of the police, and a prosecutor, but this committee has not yet published the results of its investigation.

The human rights organization reminds that based on international law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is also a party, all citizens have the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Furthermore, torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading conduct is prohibited, and evidence obtained through torture or other unlawful means are inadmissible in courts.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also guarantees accused persons the right to be informed of charges, fair trial, adequate facilities and time to prepare a defense, communication with a chosen lawyer, presence at trial, and examination of prosecution witnesses.

At the end of the Human Rights Watch report, Michael Page emphasized: “Countries in contact with Iran should pressure Iranian authorities to conduct independent investigations into the growing number of violations committed by repressive intelligence and security apparatus.”

Source: DW