CCS joined other human rights organizations in writing to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran urging him to overturn the harsh and degrading sentence given to Bahman Ahamdi Amouee, a respected Iranian journalist and economist. Mr. Amouee was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison and 34 lashes for “anti-state activities.” He has been in prison since 2009 and in 2012 denied visits from his family and legal counsel.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
c/o H.E. Mr. Mohammad Khazaee,
Ambassador of Iran to the United Nations
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
662 Third Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10017, USA
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December 4, 2012
We are an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and academic freedom for colleagues all over the world. We write now in concern for Bahman Ahamdi Amouee.
Mr. Amouee, an economist and journalist specializing in economic analysis, has been in prison since his arrest on June 20, 2009. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, he was sentenced to seven years and four months’ imprisonment and 34 lashes for anti-state activities. In response to Mr. Amouee’s transfer to Rajaee Shahr Prison on June 28, 2012, where he was denied access to family visits, over 120 journalists signed a letter addressed to judicial officials requesting his release, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.
These actions, punishing Mr. Amouee for expressions of opinion, and particularly the degrading sentence of 34 lashes, constitute a serious violation of international standards of due process, fair trial and detention as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is signatory.
We join other international human rights organizations in urging you to intervene to overturn Mr. Amouee’s sentence, particularly with respect to any punishment by lashes. We also urge you to ensure that Mr. Amouee has access to family and legal assistance, pending his release.
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh
(Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave. (south of Serah-e Jomhouri)
Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
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The Honorable Hillary Clinton
United States Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
The Hon. Navanethem Pillay
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Bahman Ahmadi Amouee articles – International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran
Bahman Ahmadi Amouee – Committee to Protect Journalists