Defend International was informed by reliable sources that the political activist Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan would be hanged on November 11, 2009. He was accused of being a mohareb (“enemy of God”) and “endangering state security”.
Latest news:
- Unfortunately Mr. Fatahiyan was executed as scheduled.
This sad news was received by DI members in the morning on 11 November 2009.
- Defend International condemns this horrific and inhumane act and sends his family, friends, rights defenders, and everyone who sent appeals our deep sorrow and sympathy.
Campaign Status: Closed
On 9 November 2009, DI had published the following campaign in support of Mr. Fatahiyan:
ملخص الحملة بالعربية هنا
Name: Ehsan Fatahiyan
Sex: Male
Age: 27
Authorities: Iranian
Category: Death penalty / Prisoners of conscience / Arbitrary detentions / Fear of torture or ill-treatments
The case:
According to the information received on 8 November 2009, the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj confirmed the date of execution of Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan, aged 27. He is supposed to be hanged on November 11, 2009.
Mr. Fatahiyan was condemned to death for his political opinions and is currently detained in the city of Sanandaj. He have been held in solitary confinement, subjected to torture and other ill-treatment and questioned repeatedly to obtain false confessions. He is believed to have been convicted of being a mohareb (“enemy of God”) and “endangering state security”.
His sentence was 10 years’ imprisonment, but an Iranian appeal court imposed in February 2009 capital punishment instead, which is in violation of the Iranian Criminal Code.
DI Views & Demands:
Defend International expresses its deepest concern about Mr. Fatahiyan’s death sentence, as it is further evidence that Iran will continue its attempt to condemn those to death who fall short of the government’s expectations.
DI urges the Iranian authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party. We call on Iran to abolish death penalty; to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Iran, and to refrain from any unfair or inhumane practice that might violate international human rights standards. We also call for the establishment of a committee of jurists to study the implementation of death penalty and transmit a legislative proposal to abolish the capital punishment in Iran. Moreover, we call upon Iran to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. In addition, the international community, namely the EU, should urge the Iranian authorities to “adhere and comply with the relevant international norms and standards” [1].
Defend International is unconditionally opposed to the death penalty, under all circumstances and in all countries, since it is a violation of the right to life and an extreme form of cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment. DI is also categorically opposed to torture and other cruel punishments under any condition.
Defend International will continue monitoring the situation in Iran closely.
DI campaign:
Please copy the following appeals, add your signature and address and send them to arrive as soon as possible.
With thanks and appreciation
Defend International
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Leader of the Islamic Republic,
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei,
The Office of the Supreme Leader,
Shoahada Street,
Qom,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Faxes: + 98.21.649.5880 / 21.774.2228,
Email: info@leader.ir / istiftaa@wilayah.org / webmaster@wilayah.org
Your Excellency,
By this letter, I would like to express my deepest concern regarding the case of Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan, a political activist, condemned to death and currently detained in the city of Sanandaj. Mr. Fatahiyan is supposed to be hanged on November 11, 2009. I call upon the Iranian judicial authorities to halt this execution immediately and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Fatahiyan. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to sanction his opinions.
Furthermore I call for an impartial investigation into the allegations that Mr. Fatahiyan was tortured and inhumanely treated while in custody. I urge you also to ensure that he has access to adequate medical treatment and to put an end to all acts of harassment against all civil society activists in Iran.
As member of Defend International, I am concerned about the death sentences passed against human rights defenders, civil society activists and protestors in general. We strongly urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately stop executions and take steps towards abolishing the death penalty. I call for the establishment of a committee of jurists to study the implementation of death penalty and transmit a legislative proposal to abolish the capital punishment in Iran. I also urge the Iranian authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
________________________________
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Fax: + 98.21.649.5880,
E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
Your Excellency,
By this letter, I would like to express my deepest concern regarding the case of Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan, a political activist, condemned to death and currently detained in the city of Sanandaj. Mr. Fatahiyan is supposed to be hanged on November 11, 2009. I call upon the Iranian judicial authorities to halt this execution immediately and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Fatahiyan. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to sanction his opinions.
Furthermore I call for an impartial investigation into the allegations that Mr. Fatahiyan was tortured and inhumanely treated while in custody. I urge you also to ensure that he has access to adequate medical treatment and to put an end to all acts of harassment against all civil society activists in Iran.
As member of Defend International, I am concerned about the death sentences passed against human rights defenders, civil society activists and protestors in general. We strongly urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately stop executions and take steps towards abolishing the death penalty. I call for the establishment of a committee of jurists to study the implementation of death penalty and transmit a legislative proposal to abolish the capital punishment in Iran. I also urge the Iranian authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
________________________________
Head of the Judicial system of Iran,
His Excellency Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani,
Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave.
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran,
Email: info@dadiran.ir info@dadiran.ir
Your Excellency,
By this letter, I would like to express my deepest concern regarding the case of Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan, a political activist, condemned to death and currently detained in the city of Sanandaj. Mr. Fatahiyan is supposed to be hanged on November 11, 2009. I call upon the Iranian judicial authorities to halt this execution immediately and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Fatahiyan. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to sanction his opinions.
Furthermore I call for an impartial investigation into the allegations that Mr. Fatahiyan was tortured and inhumanely treated while in custody. I urge you also to ensure that he has access to adequate medical treatment and to put an end to all acts of harassment against all civil society activists in Iran.
As member of Defend International, I am concerned about the death sentences passed against human rights defenders, civil society activists and protestors in general. We strongly urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately stop executions and take steps towards abolishing the death penalty. I call for the establishment of a committee of jurists to study the implementation of death penalty and transmit a legislative proposal to abolish the capital punishment in Iran. I also urge the Iranian authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,
________________________________
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28,
1209 Geneva,
Switzerland,
Fax: +41 22 7330203,
Email: mission.iran@ties.itu.int
Your Excellency,
By this letter, I would like to express my deepest concern regarding the case of Mr. Ehsan Fatahiyan, a political activist, condemned to death and currently detained in the city of Sanandaj. Mr. Fatahiyan is supposed to be hanged on November 11, 2009. I call upon the Iranian judicial authorities to halt this execution immediately and to guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Fatahiyan. I call on you to release him immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary, as it seems to sanction his opinions.
Furthermore I call for an impartial investigation into the allegations that Mr. Fatahiyan was tortured and inhumanely treated while in custody. I urge you also to ensure that he has access to adequate medical treatment and to put an end to all acts of harassment against all civil society activists in Iran.
As member of Defend International, I am concerned about the death sentences passed against human rights defenders, civil society activists and protestors in general. We strongly urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately stop executions and take steps towards abolishing the death penalty. I call for the establishment of a committee of jurists to study the implementation of death penalty and transmit a legislative proposal to abolish the capital punishment in Iran. I also urge the Iranian authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party.
I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours respectfully,