UN Environment Programme Expresses ‘Deep’ Concern Over Detention of Eight Environmental Activists
The United Nations Environment Programme expressed “deep” concern over the trial of eight imprisoned environmental activists and called on the Islamic Republic government to protect the legal rights of individuals who have dedicated their lives to their country’s unique environment.
The agency stated its concern over the continued detention of these environmental activists and announced that they do not have access to lawyers during trial proceedings.
After one year has passed, Sam Rajabi, Amirhossein Khaleghi, Houman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, Niloofar Bayani, Tahir Qadiryan, Abdolreza Koohpayeh, and Morad Tahbaz remain in “temporary detention” of the Revolutionary Guards Intelligence Organization.
During the court sessions, lawyers appointed by these environmental activists are not present, and only three “trusted” lawyers of the judiciary are scheduled to defend them.
Meanwhile, Kazem Hosseini, one of these lawyers, had reported that Revolutionary Guards personnel do not even allow these lawyers to speak with the environmental activists during court sessions.
The UN Environment Programme called on the Islamic Republic authorities to ensure a transparent, fair, and independent trial for these eight environmental activists.
Previously, 26 members of the European Parliament also expressed “deep concern” in a letter to Hassan Rouhani regarding the continued detention of environmental activists in Iran.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood star and environmental activist, is among those who have launched an online campaign for the freedom of these activists and has expressed his concern about their continued detention.
Source: Radio Farda
