Sunday, June 8, 2008

International Federation for Human Rights - Paris open letter to President Ahmadi-Nejad

Open letter from International Federation for Human Rights - Paris, dated June 1st, 2008 to President Ahmadi-Nejad President of the Islamic Republic on Situation of Baha'i Detainees

Excellency,
We are writing to you to express our utmost concern regarding thefate of seven members of the Baha'i community who are currently in prison...... were arrested inTehran on 14 May 2008, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. They are members of the national coordinating group of Baha'i in Iran, an informalbody that was formed with the knowledge of the government to assist the300,000-member Baha'I community in the country.

We urge the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran tocommunicate the place of detention of those seven persons, the exact chargesbrought against them and the date of their trial. We also urge you to allowindependent international observers to observe their trial. The right to a fairtrial, including public hearings, the prohibition of discrimination based on religious beliefs and the right to freedom of religion are all enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), that has beenratified by Iran.

We express the hope that you will take those elements intoconsideration and are looking forward to your prompt reply.

Yours sincerely,
Ms. Souhayr Belhassen
President of FIDH

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