In 2018, several biologists were arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including Niloufar Bayani, and accused of espionage. Ms. Bayani was coerced into making a confession. Since then, she has been tortured, threatened, and wrongfully imprisoned.
July 5, 2023
Ebrahim Raisi
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency,
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: media@rouhani.ir
Dear President Raisi:
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 wrote previously in February about the ongoing, deeply concerning imprisonment of Niloufar Bayani. Ms. Bayani, along with several colleagues, set camera traps in a remote area of Iran with the intention to monitor local wildlife and develop effective ways to protect it. Her research was purely scientific and benefited the country. Nevertheless, she was arrested, charged with espionage, and sentenced to ten years in prison.
Ms. Bayani received her education from some of the best universities in the world, including a graduate-level degree in conservation biology from Columbia University. Her work in Iran was motivated by her desire to protect endangered species as well as by her pride in her Persian heritage. By keeping her imprisoned, your government is setting back the preservation of Iran’s natural environment.
We respectfully request that Ms. Bayani be released from prison and allowed to continue her work for the good of her country.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Saeed Iravani
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to the United Nations
622 Third Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 687-2020
Fax: (212) 867-7086
Email: iran@un.int
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Twitter: @ABlinken
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Imam Khomeini Street, Imam Khomeini Square,
Tehran, Iran
Email: info@mfa.gov.ir