Narges Mohammadi, a physicist, engineer and human rights advocate has again been arrested for allegedly meeting with the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief while the EU official was visiting Iran. CCS is requesting that Ruhani examine the case and release Narges, particularly due to her life-threatening health conditions.
October 28, 2015
Hasan Fereidun Ruhani
President, The Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of IranYour Excellency:
I am writing on behalf of the Committee of Concerned Scientists, 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 now out of concern for Narges Mohammadi, a 43-year old Iranian physicist, engineer and human rights advocate. She was arrested at her home on May 5, 2015. Narges, as reported, has been a peaceful advocate of women’s rights, opposition to use of the death penalty and human rights. She has continually been detained for voicing her opinion. She was initially arrested in 2011 for alleged assembly and collusion against national security, membership with the Defenders of Human Rights Center and propaganda against the State. After her sentence was imposed she was released on bail after three months due to a medical condition that caused muscular paralysis.
In April 2014, she along with other women, met with the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, to discuss women’s rights. Narges was, again, arrested on the same charges as before. While the trial on these charges was underway she was again arrested in May 2015. While incarcerated, she has had lung problems and her muscular paralysis has worsened. She has been hospitalized three times since May and her medical situation is deteriorating – resulting in slurred words, difficulty speaking, seizures – all exacerbated by stress and the current situation in which she finds herself. She is currently hospitalized, chained to a bed with guards in her room and outside of her door at all times, making it difficult for medical staff to provide care. Narges requires significant medical care, without which could result in a life-threatening situation.
Narges has been incarcerated solely for her peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, rights which are guaranteed under the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iran ratified in 1975.
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
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