Human Rights Watch: 24 protesters sentenced to prison in Tehran

According to Human Rights Watch, 24 people who participated in a protest rally in Tehran have been sentenced to prison. At least two of them were sentenced for publishing reports of the August protests on social media.

On Monday, November 5, Human Rights Watch published on its website the news of the conviction of more than 24 people who participated in demonstrations against the deteriorating economic situation and administrative corruption in August.

Citing “three sources with knowledge of the protesters’ case,” the human rights organization wrote that the defendants were charged with “gathering and colluding against national security” by “participating in a protest without a permit that disrupted public order.”

According to Human Rights Watch, at least two people, including 19-year-old Saba Kord Afshari, have been sentenced for their reporting on the August protests on social media.

The organization's report continues by emphasizing that the detainees were not allowed access to a defense attorney during interrogation and trial, and that the officers pressured them to admit their "crimes."

“Two informed sources” also told Human Rights Watch that judicial authorities prevented the families’ chosen lawyers from interfering in the cases during the trials.

The defendants have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to six years.

“Pressures increase dissatisfaction”

In its report, Human Rights Watch also examined the protests that began in Isfahan in August and spread to other cities, including Tehran, and other protests in recent months and the arrests of protesters.

“Iranian authorities constantly advertise that the ongoing protests are a sign of real freedoms in Iran, but protesters are sentenced to years in prison,” said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

According to Page, prosecuting participants in peaceful protests will only add to the already growing dissatisfaction of Iranians.

Death of detainees and pressure on Iran

In its Monday report, Human Rights Watch also mentioned the deaths of some of those arrested. In this regard, the names of Reza Otadi, Sina Ghanbari, Vahid Heydari, Kavous Seyed Emami, and Mohammad Raji are mentioned.

A special committee was formed to shed light on Otadi's death, involving the Revolutionary Guard, the police counterintelligence unit, and a prosecutor, but the committee has not yet published the results of its investigation.

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

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

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also guarantees defendants the right to be informed of the charges, to a fair trial, to have adequate facilities and time to prepare a defense, to communicate with counsel of one's own choosing, to be present at the trial, and to examine the prosecution's witnesses.

At the end of the Human Rights Watch report, Michael Page emphasized: "Countries that engage with Iran should pressure the country's authorities to conduct independent investigations into the growing number of violations committed by repressive intelligence and security services."

Source: DW