Iranian Minorities’ Human Right Organisation (IMHRO)

Ref.IMHRO.04


Urgent action

2008-02-11

Mr. Yaghub Mehrnahad 28 years old, a Baluchi cultural and civil right activist from Baluchistan in south east of Iran, after 9 month arrest sentenced to death.

His family talking to IMHRO said that after first 5 month arrest they allowed them to visit him in prison and when they visited him, they found out that he has been subjected to torture and he last about 15 kg weight during this 5 month.

“About one month ago they put him on secret trial, after 10 days instead of sentencing him, then again they moved him to Iranian intelligent custody for further investigation and now they sentenced him to death”

Mr. Yaghub Mehranahad who is founder of Anjoman Sedayeh edalat (voice of justice association), which was recognised and registered by Iranian government, in May 2007 arrested along 5 others, all member of voice of justice association. His arrest was usual kidnapping style exercise by Iranian security. The rest of members released but Yaghub Mehrnahad remained in prison.

Voice of justice association was an NGO, organising event such music concerts and educational courses for young Baluchi.

Mr.Yaghub Mehrnahad who was peace full activist and always in favour of non violence movement, in secret trial sentenced to death. The main reason was because he was writing on internet; they charge him with act against national security. His family told IMHRO.

“They reduce time of appeal against sentence from usual 20 days to 6 days, which will end on Sunday 17/02/2008 and therefore now he is in imminent risk of execution. “It is 45 days that we can not visit him in prison, we afraid that may he had been killed him under torture”

According to Radio Baluchi FM from Sweden, his daughter Asieh has born while he was in prison for second month.

Arrest in Iran usually is kidnapping person from street or work place and often family for few month do not know any thing about the missing person.

Background
Baluch minority are at least 5 Million people living in south east of Iran and they suffering from various discrimination. As result of lack of state investment, unemployment rate is high.

Iranian government, in Baluchistan always executed political and human right activist under the charge of drug smuggling. Drug smuggling is the cover which Iranian government used to hide his crime against Baluchi minority. Iranian official media propaganda always portrayed Baluchi people as drug smugglers.

As result of non investment and suppression, some Baluchi established armed group, fighting with government. Case of Mr.Yaghub Mehrnahad clearly showing that Iranian government wanted to push more young Baluchi to extreme.

Baluchi along side other minorities in Iran, can not speak in their mother tongue and are not benefited from social, economic and political right.

As Baluchi people are mainly Sunni, they also suffering from huge discrimination in job opportunity and education. Official ideology of theocracy government of Iran, indicate that non Shia means infidel.

Last month Iranian government amputated right hand and left feet of five men in zahedan, capital of Baluchistan province.

Action
We ask human right organisations and activists in the world to call upon Iranian government and ask them for following:
Stop death sentence of Yaghub Mehrnahad and immediate release of him and other Baluchi activist/Stop practising inhuman penalty of imputation in Baluchistan.


Supreme leader of Iran
Sayyed Ali Khamenei
E-mail via web site
http://www.leader.ir/


Iranian president
Mahmud Ahmadinejad
E-mail via web site
http://www.president.ir/en/


Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran


United Nations High Commissioner Human RightsLouise Arbour
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland


Chairwoman of European parliament Human Rights committee
Mrs Hélène FLAUTRE
Bureau d'Hélène Flautre au Parlement européen8G130, rue WierzB-1049, Bruxelles, Belgique