Iran: Further Information on Fear of Torture and Ill-Treatment/Possible Prisoners of Conscience: Christian Converts

Iran: Further Information on Fear of Torture and Ill-Treatment/Possible Prisoners of Conscience: Christian Converts - Iran Human Rights Library


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Iran: Further Information on Fear of Torture and Ill-Treatment/Possible Prisoners of Conscience: Christian Converts

Author:	Amnesty International
Publisher:	Amnesty International
Published:	June 11, 2008
Type:	Appeal/Urgent Action

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/079/2008

11 June 2008

Further Information on UA 151/08 (MDE 13/076/2008, 30 May 2008) – Fear of torture and ill-treatment/ Possible prisoners of conscience

IRAN Mojtaba Hussein (m), aged 21 ]

Mahmoud Matin (m) ]

Arash (m) ] Christian converts

Two others, one of them a woman ]

New name: Mohsen Namvar (m), aged 44 ]

Mojtaba Hussein was released on bail on 2 June. Two others, now known to be a married couple, who had been arrested in April in the city of Amol, have also been released. Another Christian convert, Mohsen Namvar, was arrested on 31 May. Like Arash and Mahmoud Matin, who are still in custody, he appears to have been detained solely because of his religious beliefs, which would make him a prisoner of conscience.

Mohsen Namvar was arrested at his home in Tehran by eight police officers who refused to tell him why he was being arrested. They took his computer, printer, CDs, books and money. It is not known where he is held. Mohsen Namvar had been arrested in 2007 for baptising Muslim converting to Christianity. He was tortured with electric shocks to his back which left him unable to walk. After his release, he had surgery to his back. Although he is now able to walk, prolonged sitting or standing causes him pain.

Mojtaba Hussein was charged with "activities against the state’s religion," and his bail was set at US$20,000. No date has yet been set for a trial. He has now returned home, where he is under strict surveillance. He had been arrested at his home on 11 May, along with his father, one brother and one sister, who were released later that day. All the family's books, CDs, computers and printers had been confiscated when they were arrested.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On 11 May eight other Christian converts had also been arrested in Shiraz and later released. They are awaiting trial, two of them charged with "acting against Islam" and the others with "acting against state security."

Christianity is a recognized religion in Iran, but evangelical Christians, some of whom have converted from Islam, often face harassment by the authorities. Converts from Islam risk arrest, attack or even the death penalty. Conversion from Islam (apostasy) is forbidden under Islamic law, which requires apostates to be put to death if they refuse to go back to Islam. There is currently no specific provision in the Iranian Penal Code for apostasy, but judges are required to use their knowledge of Islamic law to rule on cases where no specific legislation exists in the Penal Code.

A new version of the Iranian Penal Code is currently under consideration by the Majles (Parliament) and prescribes the death penalty for those considered to be apostates.

Article 23 of the Iranian Constitution states: "The investigation of individuals' beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief." Under Article 18 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a state party, "Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching."

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:

- expressing concern that Mahmoud Matin, Arash and Mohsen Namvar appear to have been detained solely on account of their religious beliefs, in which case they would be prisoners of conscience;

- calling on the authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally, or charge them promptly with recognizably criminal offences and give them a fair trial;

- asking why they have been arrested, what they have been charged with and where they are held;

- urging the authorities to ensure that they are not being tortured or otherwise ill-treated, and all three have access to legal assistance of their own choosing, their families and any medical treatment they may require;

- reminding the authorities that freedom of religious belief is guaranteed by the Iranian Constitution, and by Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a party.