UN Environment Program expresses "deep" concern over the situation of eight environmental activists
The United Nations Environment Program, while expressing "deep concern" about the status of the trial of eight imprisoned environmental activists, called on the government of the Islamic Republic to protect the legal rights of individuals who have dedicated their lives to their country's unique environment.
The organization expressed concern about the continued detention of these environmental activists and announced that they do not have access to a lawyer during the trial.
After a year, Sam Rajabi, Amir Hossein Khaleghi, Hooman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, Niloufar Bayani, Taher Ghadirian, Abdolreza Kouhpayeh, and Morad Tahbaz are still in "temporary detention" by the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence organization.
The lawyers appointed by these environmental activists are not present in the court sessions, and only three "trusted" lawyers from the judiciary are supposed to defend them.
Meanwhile, Kazem Hosseini, one of these lawyers, reported that the Revolutionary Guards would not even allow these lawyers to speak to these environmental activists during the court hearing.
The United Nations Environment Programme called on the Islamic Republic's authorities to ensure a transparent, fair and independent trial of these eight environmental activists.
26 members of the European Parliament had previously expressed "deep concern" in a letter addressed to Hassan Rouhani about the continued arrest of environmental activists in Iran.
Hollywood star and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio is among those who have launched an online campaign for the release of these activists and has expressed concern about their continued detention.
Source: Radio Farda
