Punishment for Robbery Under Islamic Regime in Iran !

Dear colleagues,

I am transmitting the information about a very specific case of a human rights violation that has been delivered to me, directly by the victim, who is imprisoned with my father in the same prison.

Reza Safari ,born on 1970 in the City of Arak

The original letter from the victim of case with his photos are attached. I am also in possession of his court judgments and will be happy to share, upon request.

Just to summarize, the file belongs to a 42 –year old man who has spent 17 years of his life in prison as a punishment for thievery. But that is not all he got as punishment. He was also sentenced to amputation of both his right hand and left foot by the Article 278 of the Islamic Penal Code. His hand and foot were amputated in public without the victim being under anesthesia, which caused him great physical and mental pain.

The punishment is obviously in contravention of international norms and standard. Such severe punishment was administered without any consideration of the crime and the convict. Severe corporal punishments, even though enacted by law, are prohibited by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Iran has voluntarily ratified.

Although the Islamic republic of Iran has not signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Convention, for its perceived conflicts with the Islamic rules and principles, still the universality of the Convention goes beyond question.

Thus, the victim, hereby, demand international human right organizations to condemn such inhumane activities as well as urge Iran to sign and comply with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Convention and to amend civil laws in the country, so that no one else endures suffering.

In spite of serving many years in prison and having hand and foot amputated, the victim still has to spend the rest of his life in prison as he cannot afford the charges of a lawyer to defend his case.

The victim, hereby, seek assistance from international human rights organizations to help his voice being heard so he can live the rest of his life in peace.

The victim has also declared his intention to go on a hunger strike starting from 7 May 2014. Time is critical and your attention to the case is highly appreciated.

Sincerely,