UN Experts Alarmed by Reports of Human Rights Defenders Beaten in Iran Jail
GENEVA (19 March 2018) – UN human rights experts* expressed concern at the continued targeting of human rights defenders
in Iran, including about reports that two well-known women human rights defenders have been subjected to beatings in
detention.
Atena Daemi and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee were transferred from Evin Prison to Shahr-e Rey prison on 24 January 2018,
allegedly after being subjected to ill-treatment. They subsequently staged hunger strikes in protest against their
treatment. On 12 March, the two defenders were reportedly beaten by riot guards following a disturbance, and then
transferred to the general ward of the prison.
Atena Daemi is serving a seven-year term for her human rights work, including charges related to distributing anti-death
penalty leaflets and posts on Facebook and Twitter criticising Iran’s execution record. Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee is
serving a three-year term for writing a fictional story on the stoning of women to death for adultery.
“We have attempted to initiate a dialogue with the authorities on this issue, to no avail. We call for the immediate
release of Atena Daemi and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, as well as the release of all those who have been imprisoned for
exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” the experts said.
They also called on the authorities to ensure the two women were given access to appropriate medical care.
The experts said the actions had broader ramifications, instilling a sense of fear and creating an environment hostile
to public debate and the free exercise of rights.
“Their cases are illustrative of a continuing pattern of harassment, intimidation and imprisonment of those undertaking
peaceful and legitimate activities in the defence of human rights and prisoners of conscience, often through using
vaguely worded or overly broad national security-related charges,” they said.
The experts called on the authorities to carry out a prompt and impartial investigation into the allegations of
beatings, and to ensure accountability for such actions.
ENDS
(*) The UN experts: Michel Forst, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Dubravka Šimonovic,
the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences; David Kaye, the Special Rapporteur on the
promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and Mr. Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system,
is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific
country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis;
they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or
organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page: Iran
This year, 2018, is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December
1948. The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all
human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of
the 70th anniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to prevent its vital principles from being
eroded, we are urging people everywhere to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org.
Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights