Esmail Abdi, the former Secretary General of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association is serving a six year sentence in Evin Prison charged with “propaganda against the state” and “collusion against national security.” Dr. Abdi has been denied an attorney during the investigatory phase of his trial. He is being detained for peaceful political and trade union activities. Recently, Dr. Abdi’s health has deteriorated due to the effects of a hunger strike.
June 1, 2017
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
Head of the Judiciary
c/o Public Relations Office
Number 4, Deadend of 1 Azizi
Above Pasteur Intersection
Vali Asr Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@bia-judiciary.ir
Fax: +98 21 879 6671 | +98 21 3 311 6567
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 deep concern for Esmail Abdi, a former mathematics teacher and the former secretary general of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association (ITTA). He is currently serving a six-year sentence in Evin Prison for “propaganda against the state” and “collusion against national security.” In May, his health has seriously deteriorated due to an ongoing hunger strike.
Esmail Abdi was denied a lawyer during the investigation phase of his trial, in violation of international recognized fair trial standards. He has been harassed by security forces and the courts since 2006, and he has now been jailed since November 2016 for nothing more than peaceful political and trade union activity.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), both of which Iran has ratified, are explicit that your government is required to protect the rights to freedom of expression and association, and the right to participate in trade unions.
We urge you to demonstrate respect for these rights and these fundamental treaty obligations and see to it that Esmail Abdi is immediately and unconditionally released. We also strongly urge you to ensure that he receives adequate medical treatment that conforms to internationally recognized medical and ethical standards of confidentiality, autonomy, and informed consent.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer,
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
cc:
Abbas Ja’fari Dolatabadi
Prosecutor General of Tehran
Office of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor
Corner (Nabsh-e) of 15 Khordad Square
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Hassan Rouhani
President
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran, Iran
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
Office of the Supreme Leader
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
622 Third Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212) 867-7086 I Phone: (212) 687-2020
Email: iran@un.int