ALERT - IRAN
13 February 2008
Writer and student leader Amin Ghazaei detained, fears of ill-treatment and
health concerns
SOURCE: Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London
(WiPC/IFEX) -

The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about
the detention of writer and activist Amin Ghazaei, who has been held
incommunicado without charge since 14 January 2008. He is among scores of
student activists to have been detained in December 2007 and Janaury 2008.
WiPC fears that he may be detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his
right to free expression.
According to PEN's information, Ghazaei, who is also the leader of the
group Students for Freedom and Equality (Daneshjouyan-e Azadi Khah va
Beraber Talab), was arrested in Tehran on 14 January by Intelligence
Ministry officers along with 14 other students at a meeting, in what
appears to be a worrying pattern of recent arrests of student activists. He
is reported to be held without charge in solitary confinement in Section
209 of Evin Prison, and to have been tortured. There is concern for his
health as he reportedly suffers from a peptic ulcer, heart problems, and
asthma.
Ghazaei's home was reportedly searched on 15 January by the police who
confiscated his computer and all of his papers. He has been allowed one
short telephone conversation with his family in the presence of guards, but
otherwise has not been allowed access to his family or a lawyer.
Ghazaei was born in 1979 and is known for his many articles published
on-line on topics such as gender identity. The websites he has written for
include http://www.mindmotor.com and http://www.poetrymag.info . He is the
chief editor of the electronic journal "ArtCult" and has his own web-log (
http://bafandeh.blogfa.com ). He has also translated some banned books into
Farsi, including "Gender Trouble" (Judith Butler), "Seduction" (Jean
Baudrillard), and "Cyborg Manifesto" (Donna Haraway), which have been
published either on the web or by an Iranian publisher in Europe. He has
also published two collections of writings, "Hich Ettefagh" (Nothing
Happening) and "Haghighat" (Truth), and has co-authored the anthology
"Honar-e Mossalah" (Armed Art). None of his works have been submitted for
publication inside Iran.
BACKGROUND:
Amnesty International gives the following background information: "Student
groups have been at the forefront of demands for greater human rights in
Iran in recent years. Since the election of President Ahmadinejad in 2005,
there have been increasing restrictions on civil society in Iran. In April
2007, Minister of Intelligence Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie publicly
accused student activists and campaigners for the rights of women in Iran
of being part of an "enemy conspiracy," though neither he nor other Iranian
authorities have produced evidence to substantiate this charge, which such
activists roundly repudiate."
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to authorities:
- expressing serious concerns about the detention and well-being of
Ghazaei, and seeking guarantees of his well-being
- demanding that he be given full access to his family, lawyers and all
necessary medical treatment immediately
- calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with
Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to
which Iran is a signatory

APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
Leader of the Islamic Republic
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail: info@leader.ir

Salutation: Your Excellency
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Head of the Judiciary
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
1316814737
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah
Shahroudi)

Salutation: Your Excellency
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Minister of Intelligence
Ministry of Intelligence
Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: Via Foreign Ministry: +98 21 6 674 790
(mark: "Please forward to H.E. President Ahmadinejad")
E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
Website: http://www.president.ir/email
If possible, please send a copy of your appeal to the diplomatic
representative for Iran in your country and to the source. Please check
with WiPC if sending appeals after 5 March 2008.
For further information, contact Cathy McCann, Researcher, Asia/Middle
East, WiPC, International PEN, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London,
WC1V 6ER, U.K., tel: +44 20 7405 0338, fax: +44 20 7405 0339, e-mail:
wipc@internationalpen.org.uk, Internet: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of WiPC.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit WiPC.
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