For the third time since 2001, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Rafiee has been wrongfully detained in Iran. His arrest on unspecified charges is in breach of the guarantees outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee of Concerned Scientists has expressed its deep concern for Dr. Rafiee’s well-being and has requested his immediate release.
July 15, 2015
Hasan Fereidun Ruhani
The President
The Islamic Republic of Iran
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of IranRe: Professor Mohammad Hossein Rafiee Fanood, Ph.D.
Your Excellency:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write to express our grave concern for retired Tehran University Professor, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Rafiee, who was arrested on June 16, 2015 without either a court order or justification. This is the third time Dr. Rafiee has been wrongfully detained; previously in February of 2001 and in May of 2015.
As you know, this arrest is a breach of guarantees outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is signatory.
Iran has a rich intellectual history and a tradition that values science, scholarship and free inquiry. The suddenness and capriciousness of this latest arrest raises serious concerns about the ability of internationally recognized scientists and scholars to safely remain in Iran.
We urge you to ensure that the guarantees embodied in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran’s obligations under international law are upheld, and that a review on behalf of Dr. Rafiee is completed leading to his release. We further urge Dr. Rafiee have immediate access to legal counsel of his choosing, to family and to any necessary medical treatment in the interim.
We appreciate your immediate attention to this important matter and look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander GreerCo-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Copies to
United States Secretary of John Kerry
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520, USA
Related articles
- President Rouhani must show the same courage he expects in other Iranians(theguardian.com)
- No Official Reason Given for Former Professor and Activist’s Arrest(iranhumanrights.org)
- 2002 Annual Report (concerned scientists.org)
