Bahman Amouee’s Facebook profile photo
Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, an economist and journalist, was arrested and imprisoned in June 2009 for alleged anti-state activities and was sentenced to seven years and four months imprisonment and 34 lashes. On January 27, 2014, the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion, based in part on information provided by CCS, requesting the Iranian government release Amouee and provide reparations.
On January 27, 2014, the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion, based in part on information provided by CCS, stating:
The deprivation of liberty of Bahman Ahmadi Amouee is arbitrary, being in contravention of articles 9, 10 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9, 14 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The UN Group requested the Iranian Government release Amouee immediately and if the case merits a trial, to ensure a fair, impartial trial, respecting all the guarantees thereof, as enshrined in the domestic law of the Islamic Republic of Iran and in international human rights law. Furthermore, the UN Group asked Iran to provide Amouee with appropriate reparation.
Bahman Amouee, an economist and journalist, was arrested and imprisoned in June 2009 for alleged anti-state activities and was sentenced to seven years and four months imprisonment and 34 lashes. In 2012, he was transferred to Rajaee Shahr Prison where he has been denied access to family visits.
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In December 2012, CCS sent a letter to the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the then United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights requesting intervention on his behalf. In September 2013, CCS received a request from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention requesting further information on Amouee’s case, which we provided on September 6, 2013.
The UN Group sent the allegations to the Government of Iran, requesting detailed information about Amouee’s current situation and clarification of the legal provisions governing his continued detention. The Government of Iran did not reply or request an extension of time in which to reply.
The UN Group concluded that vague charges such as those against Mr. Amouee are contrary to the rights protected under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and cannot be used to justify Mr. Amouee’s arrest and detention. It also noted that the period of detention is disproportionate and inordinately long for writing articles critical of the Government. Furthermore, being held in solitary confinement and denied family visits impacted his right to be tried by a fair, impartial and independent tribunal, thus violating his right to due process.
CCS is writing a follow-up letter to Iranian authorities, requesting them to comply with the provisions of the UN report.
