Music Journalists among those held in Iran

          
          VA: 21/10 Index: MDE 13/011/2010 Iran
          Date: 22 January 2010
          URGENT
          ACTION
          MUSIC JOURNALISTS AMONG THOSE HELD IN IRAN
          Behrang Tonekaboni, a male music journalist, and his mother Lily Farhadpour, along with
          Behrang Tonekaboni's male colleague Kayvan Farzin, have been detained at an unknown location
          since their arrests in Iran's capital, Tehran, earlier this month. They appear to have been
          subjected to enforced disappearance and are at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
          The reason for their arrests is unknown, although it may be connected to the ongoing protests against the
          government in Iran, as the authorities have arrested many journalists, human rights defenders, students and others
          in recent weeks.
          Behrang Tonekaboni, who is 28, is the editor of Farhang va Ahang, a monthly music journal. He was arrested from
          his office with his colleague Kayvan Farzin, the journal's music critic, on 5 January. There has been no news of
          Kayvan Farzin's whereabouts since then. Behrang Tonekaboni was taken to the home he shares with his mother,
          which was searched and had items confiscated from it, including his mother's computer. Although he telephoned
          his mother twice, his family have received no information on his whereabouts since his arrest [ he called but was not
          allowed to say where he was]. He has asthma and also a heart condition. He requires regular medication.
          Lily Farhadpour, aged 47, a journalist and a member of Iranian NGO Mothers for Peace, was arrested at her home
          on 20 January.Her whereabouts are unknown. She suffers from diabetes for which she needs to take tablets
          regularly.
          PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:
          vAsking to be informed of the reasons for the arrest of Behrang Tonekaboni, Kayvan Farzin and Lily Farhadpour;
          v Expressing deep concern that they have been subjected to enforced disappearance and urging the authorities to
          disclose their whereabouts immediately;
          Calling on the Iranian authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally if they are held solely for the
          peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and association;
          v Calling for them to be protected from torture or other ill-treatment while in detention and to be granted immediate
          and regular access to their families, lawyers of their choice and to any necessary medical treatment.
          PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE
          Head of the Provincial Judiciary in
          Te h ran
          Ali Reza Avaei
          Karimkhan Land Avenue
          Sana'i Avenue, Corner of Alley 17, No.
          152
          Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
          Email: avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir
          Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei
          5 MARCH 2010 TO:
          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
          spxFirst starred box: your given name;
          second starred box: your family name;
          third: your email address
          Salutation: Your Excellency
          And copies to:
          Director, Human Rights Headquarters
          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
          Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above
          date.
          AMNESTY
          INTERNATIONAL
        

          
          Date: 22 January 2010
          URGENT ACTION
          MUSIC JOURNALISTS AMONG THOSE HELD IN IRAN
          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
          Mothers for Peace is a group of Iranian women who campaign against possible military intervention in Iran over its nuclear
          programme, seek “viable solutions” to the region's instability and campaign against the arrest, detention and harassment of
          ordinary Iranians.
          Demonstrations in Iran in June and July against the disputed presidential election result of June 2009 were violently repressed,
          by police and the paramilitary Basij militia, who used excessive force. Since then, demonstrations have continued to take place
          on days of national importance when public demonstrations are permitted, such as Gods Day (18 September), the anniversary of
          the seizure of the American Embassy (4 November), National Student Day (7 December), and around the religious festival of
          Ashoura (27 December). During these protests, thousands of protestors were arrested, although many were later released.
          Many of those arrested in the summer were tortured or otherwise ill-treated. At least three died as a result of torture in the
          Kahrizak detention centre near Tehran. On 19 December 2009, a military court in Tehran announced that 12 people had been
          charged in connection with abuses, three of whom had been charged with murder.
          The security forces' response to the demonstrations on or following Ashoura was the most violent since the early days of the
          protests. The opposition website Jams estimates that at least 1,300 were arrested across Iran, including 600 in Esfahan and 200
          in Najafabad, along with 500 who were acknowledged by the authorities to have been arrested in Tebran. Human rights groups
          say at least 300 detainees were held in Evin Prison in Tehran and unconfirmed reports suggest others may have been taken to a
          reopened detention facility under the control of the Revolutionary Guards in the Eshratabad complex in central Tehran. The
          Iranian authorities have made statements suggesting that protestors who “riot” or commit violent acts such as arson will be
          charged with moharebeh (enmity against God) which can carry the death penalty. On 18 January, five unnamed people went on
          trial charged with moharebeh in connection with the demonstrations on Ashoura.
          Since the demonstrations, well over 180 journalists, human rights activists, students and members of political parties linked to
          Mir Hossein Mousavi and former President Khatami are reported by Jaras and other sources to have been arrested from their
          home or workplace, among them Emaddedin Baghi, recipient of the 2009 Martin Ennals Award, a human rights prize. See UA:
          05/10 Index: MDE 13/003/2010. Women's rights defenders Mansoureh Shojaee, who is a member of the One Million Signatures
          Campaign, was also arrested from her home on 28 December and is held, apparently without charge, in Evin Prison. Ebrahim
          Yazdi, leader of the Iran Freedom Movement (IFM), a banned but tolerated political party, was arrested at home on 28 December.
          The IFM has since announced it is suspending the activities of two of its websites, under pressure from the Ministry of
          Intelligence.
          UA: 21/10 Index: MDE 13/011/2010 Issue Date: 22 January 2010
          AMNESTY
          INTERNATIONAL