August 21
Once again, a number of lawyers were detained and sent to detention following their protest against legislation contrary to the human rights and to highlight the illegal behaviours of officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran. There are reports that three outspoken lawyers Ghasem Sholeh-Saadi and Arash Keykhosravi and Masoud Javadiya have been detained outside the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Following their arrests, Masoud Javadiya was allegedly released on bail but the two other lawyers were sent to Fashafuye, one of the most notorious prisons in Iran. These lawyers gathered outside the parliament to protest about the powers of the Guardian Council which takes away the free rights of people to choose their president and their representatives in the parliament.
The lawyers were also critical of the recent vague and non-transparent Caspian Sea Agreement between Iran and four other countries. The security services confronted the lawyers and arrested them. Sadly, to belittle them, the security services led the two detained lawyers in shackles and handcuffs to the magistrate court while wearing prison uniforms. This kind of parading prisoners not only towards lawyers whose demands were just and legal but also towards ordinary prisoners is condemned and is contrary to the international principles of human rights. The principles that Iran pledged to follow and abide by them.
The Free Tribune of Lawyers is well aware that the Judiciary officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran intend to create fear and intimidation amongst other lawyers by adopting this disparaging behaviour towards outspoken lawyers. A fear and intimidation which would result in the silence of the legal community towards inhuman laws and illegal acts. The time has come for the legal community and their unions to pursue the cases of their members and protest against these violent and humiliating acts against lawyers and for the legal community to emphasise their status in the society as an institution which symbolises justice and defense.
The Free Tribune of Lawyers condemns these illegal and humiliating acts towards lawyers and demands that the executive, judicial and legislative officials stop persecuting independent and outspoken lawyers and instead focus on their own intrinsic duties which are to enact, amend and implement laws in accordance with international human rights standards. The Free Tribune of Lawyers demands the immediate and unconditional release of these detained lawyers from Iranian prisons.
The Free Tribune of Lawyers
Free Tribune of Lawyers was established as part of Center for Supporters of Human Rights in London by some lawyers who were forced to leave Iran following the controversial presidential election of June 2009. The Center for Supporters of Human Rights is the sister organisation of the Defenders of Human Rights Center based in London. The Free Tribune of Lawyers was formed based on the belief in international principles of fair trials and one of its objectives is to defend independent lawyers who face difficulties due to their human rights work. Since June 2009, more than 55 lawyers have been prosecuted in Iran. The Center for Supporters of Human Rights has documented these individual cases and has shared information with the international organisations defending the rights of lawyers.