AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 4 May 2004, the New York Times and the BBC reported that the a regional court has reimposed a death sentence against Dr. Hashem Aghajari, a professor of history and a prominent human rights dissident. Dr. Aghajari was originally sentenced to death in November 2002 for apostasy for a university lecture he gave in which he rejected demands to 'blindly follow' clerical rule and called for reform within the Islamic clerical establishment. In February 2003, the Supreme Court had lifted the death sentence.

The original death sentence prompted an outcry from liberal sectors of Iran and the international community. The sentence also touched off some of the largest protests by university students in years. The unrest following the verdict promoted Iran's highest ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to take what is considered an extremely rare step of ordering the Supreme Court to review the case. Iranian President Mohammed Khatami has issued statements in support of Dr. Aghajari. The case is considered to be part of the ongoing struggle between liberal reformists aligned with President Khatami and hardliner seeking to uphold strict interpretations of Islam.

Dr. Aghajari's lawyers will appeal the reinstated sentence. Dr. Aghajari is currently in the at Evin prison in Tehran.

(Sources of information for this case include: The New York Times and NEAR International http://www.nearinternational.org/.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send faxes, letters, or emails:

• Urging the government to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Hashem Aghajari as it appears that he is being persecuted for exercising his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party; and
• Calling on the judicial authorities to implement a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, which as cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment is prohibited under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: 011 98 21 879 6671(put "ATTN: Director of Internat
irjpr@iranjudiciary.com (ATTN: HE Ayatollah Shahr
Salutation: Your Excellency

His Excellency Hojjatoleslam val Moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatami
President of Iran
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
khatami@president.ir
Salutation: Your Excellency:

His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei
Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency:

COPIES SENT TO:

His Excellency Kamal Kharrazi
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: 011 98 21 390 1999 (ATTN: Human Rights Dept.)
Salutation: Dear Mr. Minister

Iranian Interests Section
c/o Embassy of Pakistan
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Fax: 1 202 965 1073

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6797; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals are to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

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