Farghadani is a 29-year-old artist and activist. On June 1st 2015, she was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months in prison. The allegations against her were „gathering and colluding against national security,“ „insulting members of parliament,“ „spreading propaganda against the system“, „insulting the president,“ and „insulting Iran’s supreme leader.“ These accusations were based on Farghadani’s peaceful activities, including meeting with the families of political prisoners, and anti-government posts on Facebook. The authorities also brought charges against Farghadani’s exhibition that commemorated those who were killed in the aftermath of the disputed presidential election in 2009, and against her cartoon criticizing parliament members for considering a bill that sought to criminalize voluntary sterilization as part of a larger plan to restrict access to contraception and family planning services.
After Farghadani’s arrest followed an unfair trial that lasted less than half a day. The evidence was based on lengthy interrogations that were conducted at a time when Farghadani was held in solitary confinement in Evin prison with no access to her family or a lawyer. If the appeal fails, she will be facing a 7.5 year imprisonment for the most serious accusation – „assembly and collusion against national security“.
Farghadani was denied the right to freedom of expression, a fair tria,l and the right not to be tortured or subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. Amnesty International therefore considers her a prisoner of conscience and calls for her immediate and unconditional release.
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Calling on the Iranian authorities to release Atena Farghadani immediately and unconditionally, as she is a prisoner of conscience who has been held solely for her peaceful exercise of her rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly.
Urging them to allow her regular visits from her family and lawyer and ensure she is protected from torture and other ill treatment and receives any medical care she may require.
Reminding them that the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners require that different categories of prisoners be kept in separate institutions or parts of institutions.
Your Excellency,
I am concerned about Atena Farghadani’s case. Atena was sent to prison only for using her rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assemly and for her art. She is facing the threat of spending more than twelve years in prison. Faraghadani was only using her rights and freedoms guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is state party.
I ask you for the immediate and unconditional release of Atena Farghadani and to disregard this unconventional conviction based on evidence from interrogations conducted in solitary confinement. I also ask you for address and uphold the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Sincerely,
