Call for the immediate release of Abdolfattah Soltani
The 2009 Human Rights Award honoured Abdolfattah Soltani for his long term commitment to protect human rights in Iran. The prize was awared in absence of the prize winner, his passport was seized by the Iranian authorities at Tehran airport, only a few minutes before boarding.
Two years later, on 10 September 2011, he was arrested four times and finally sentenced to 13 years in prison: ten years for co-founding the “Defenders of Human Rights Centre“ in Tehran, two years for the adoption of the Human Rights Award and one year for spreading propaganda against the system. Furthermore he was also banned for 20 years from exercising his profession.
On 2 November 2013, his 60th birthday, Soltani joined with three other political prisoners in a hunger strike for nine days to protest against the inadequate health care for political prisoners in Evin Prison.
Protest again
The City of Nuremberg, its citizens, local, national and international organizations condemn the judge’s verdict, protest against his detention and urge to ensure medical treatment.
Even the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared the deprivation of liberty of Abdolfattah Soltani is arbitrary.
The Working Group requests the Government to take the necessary steps to remedy the situation, which includes release of Mr. Soltani and adequate reparation to him.
Please write to the Iranian ambassador
To support these efforts, please write to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a polite but firm letter and protest against the detention of Abdolfattah Soltani.
His Excellency
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Dr. Hassan Ruhani
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran
via
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ambassador Ali Reza Sheik Attar
Podbielskiallee 67
14195 Berlin
(as of December 6, 2013)