Campaign in Iran 2002; Urgent Appeal for Siamak Pourzand

          
          Page 1 of I
          Campaign
          May 7
          on Iran 2002
          - May 28
          . Continued Clampdown on
          Freedom of Expression in Iran
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          Siamak Pourzand
          OEis month PEN Canada
          focuses on a few of the many
          cases of persecution of writers
          in Iran.
          OEese cases are all part of a
          ‘ pattem of repression against
          reformist and independent
          ffigures by the conservative
          judiciary that has been gathering
          momentum in Iran since the
          parliamentary elections of
          February 2000.
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          5/14/2002
        

          
          Siamak Pourzand Page 1 ot 2
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          Urgent Appeal: Siamak Pourzand
          May 10, 2002
          His Excellency Hojjatoleslam Sayed Mohammad Khatami
          President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
          do The Presidency
          Palestine Avenue
          Azerballan Intersection,
          Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
          Excellency,
          1 wish to add my name to this appeal from PEN Canada, the Canadian centre of
          the world writers' organization, International PEN. PEN Canada protests IIe eight-
          year prison sentence handed down to 72 year-old journalist, fllm critic and PEN
          Canada honorary member Siamak Pourzand on May 3, 2002. We are also
          extremely concerned about reports from a reliable source that Siamak Pourzand
          suffered a heart attack last week.
          Pourzand was seized by security police on November 29, 2001. The authorities
          said nothing about his disappearance and during his ffirst four months of detention,
          he had no access to a lawyer or medical care. Pourzand suffers from diabetes and
          a heart condition.
          The Tehran Press Court reportedly sentenced Pourzand to eight years'
          imprisonment on charges of “undermining state security through his links with
          monarchists and counter-revolutionaries'. It is widely believed that the charges
          against him are based on ‘confessions' which are thought to have been exacted
          under duress.
          It is believed that Pourzands disappearance and the charges brought against him
          may be connected to his position as manager of the Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye
          Honari-ye Tehran, a cultural centre for writers, artists, and intellectuals or to his
          articles critical of the Islamic regime.
          PEN Canada considers the charges against Siamak Pourzand to be in
          violation of his right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Article 19 of
          the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran has
          ratified.
          We demand that the authorities release him from prison immediately and
          unconditionally, and that he immediately be provided with the urgent medical
          treatment he requires, including transfer to a hospital if needed.
          We are also extremely concerned about reports that Pourzand was ill-treated
          whilst in pre-trial detention, and that his trial has not been conducted
          http:/!www. pencanada.calappeals/Pourzand. htm 5/14/2002
        

          
          Siamak Pourzand Page 2 of 2
          according to fair standards as articulated in the Iranian Constitution and
          international treaties.
          We urge the authorities to respond to these concerns.
          Your Name
          PEN Canada member
          http://www. pencanada.calappeals/Pourzand.htm 5/14/2002