Football journalist still at risk

          
          EU on VA: 51/10 Index: MDE 13/031/2010 Iran
          Date: 17 March 2010
          URGENT
          ACTION
          Judiciary
          Hojjatoleslam Sharifi,
          Judiciary of East Azarbaijan,
          Central Complex,
          Beginning of Vali-Asr Hill,
          Tabriz, East Azarbaijan 5157733135,
          Islamic Republic of Iran
          Fax: 009841133201109
          Salutation: Dear Sir
          And copies to:
          Secretary General, High Council for
          Human Rights
          Mohammad Javad Larijani
          Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
          Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of
          Serah-e Jomhuri
          Tehran 1316814737
          Islamic Republic of Iran
          Fax: +98 21 3390 4986
          Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject
          line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
          Salutation: Dear Mr Larijani
          section office if sending appeals after the above
          date. This is the 1!' update of VA 51/10. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/030/2010/en
          AMNESTY
          INTERNATIONAL
          FOOTBALL JOURNALIST STILL AT RISK
          Football journalist and member of the Azerbaijani minority in Iran, Abdollah Sadoughi, was
          released on 11 March, after seven weeks of detention in Tabriz Prison, north-west Iran. In the
          next 10 days, he is likely to be given a trial date, and the trial itself could follow soon after. If
          convicted and imprisoned, Amnesty International fears that he would be a prisoner of
          conscience.
          Abdollah Sadoughi was arrested in the city of Tabriz on 18 January 2010 and accused of “acts against national
          security” and “supporting “Pan-Turkism”, for publishing posters in the Azerbaijani Turkic language featuring the
          Traktor Sazi team, which has become the symbol of Azerbaijani culture in the city of Tabriz. Azerbaijani Turkic is
          not recognized as an official language in Iran.
          He was held in solitary confinement for 22 days and was only allowed to meet with his lawyer and family a month
          after his arrest. He says prison guards insulted and threatened him. While detained, he was required to ask
          permission to use the toilet and allowed to do so only once each day.
          The precise conditions of Abdollah Sadoughi's release are unclear, but he told Amnesty International that he expects
          to be informed of the date of his trial in the next 10 days. If convicted and imprisoned on charges related to his
          legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression, Amnesty International would consider Abdollah Sadoughi to
          be a prisoner of conscience, held for peacefully expressing his views and would call for his immediate and
          unconditional release.
          Following his release Abdollah Sadoughi expressed his gratitude to all those who campaigned for his release, stating:
          “If it were not for Amnesty International's appeals, I would not have been released. Thank you to all the people who
          supported me!” He told Amnesty International that he fears that he may be rearrested at any time.
          PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, Turkic or your own language:
          Welcoming the release from detention of Abdollah Sadoughi, but expressing concern that he is still facing trial on
          charges which appear to be related solely to his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression;
          Urging that any such charges against him are dropped, and stating that if he were to be convicted and imprisoned,
          Amnesty International would consider him to be a prisoner of conscience;
          Calling for an impartial investigation into his allegations of ill-treatment while in detention and for anyone found
          responsible for abuse to be brought to justice.
          PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 28 APRIL 2010 TO:
          Head of East Azarbaijan Province 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
          Email: via website:
          http:llwww.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.a
          spx (First starred box: your given name;
          second starred box: your family name;
          third: your email address)
          Salutation: Your Excellency
          Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your
        

          
          Date: 17 March 2010
          URGENT ACTION
          FOOTBALL JOURNALIST STILL AT RISK
          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
          Iranian Azerbaijanis, who are mainly Shi'a Muslims, are recognized as the largest minority in Iran and are generally believed to
          constitute 25 to 30 per cent of the population of Iran. They are located mainly in the north and north-west of Iran. Although
          generally well integrated into society, in recent years they have increasingly called for greater cultural and linguistic rights, such
          as the right to be educated in the Azerbaijani Turkic language, which they believe is provided for under Iran's Constitution, and to
          celebrate Azerbaijani culture and history at cultural events. Azerbaijanis who have campaigned for such rights have suffered
          harassment, arrest and imprisonment.
          Football games involving the Traktor Sazi football team in Tabriz have reportedly become the focus for the expression of
          Azerbaijani culture. During games, calls — in Azerbaijani Turkic — are reported to be made by supporters, for linguistic and
          cultural rights for Iranian Azerbaijanis.
          Both before, and particularly since, the disputed presidential election in June 2009, the Iranian authorities have severely
          restricted freedom of expression in Iran, arresting journalists (of whom scores are believed to remain in detention), imposing
          restrictions on the use of the internet, including social networking sites, and shutting down newspapers. Demands by ethnic
          minority rights activists for greater rights have, for many years, been suppressed. This pattern continues in the context of a wide
          and generalized suppression of most forms of dissent over government policy.
          In February 2010, Iran's human rights record was reviewed before the UN Human Rights Council, in the framework of the
          Universal Periodic Review. Iran accepted several recommendations made by other states to guarantee freedom of expression and
          press activities (see para 90, recommendations 52-58 at http://www.upr-info.org/I MG/pdf/A_H RC_WG-6_7_L-1 1_Iran.pdf), but it
          rejected other recommendations calling for an end to measures such as harassment and arbitrary arrest of writers, journalists and
          bloggers. It appears that, despite such public commitments, in practice, the Iranian authorities are continuing to disregard their
          human rights obligations relating to freedom of expression. Iran also rejected recommendations to take all appropriate measures
          to end all forms of discrimination and harassment against persons belonging to religious, ethnic, linguistic and other minorities
          (see para 92).
          FU on UA: 51/10 Index: MD [ 13/031/2010 Issue Date: 17 March 2010
          AMNESTY
          INTERNATIONAL