Thirty-three IFEX members condemn excessive prison sentence handed down to blogger Hossein Derakhshan

SOURCE: ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, Committee to Protect Journalists, Index on Censorship, PEN Canada

(CJFE/IFEX) - 1 October 2010 - We, the undersigned free expression organizations, have come together to express dismay at the sentence handed down to blogger Hossein Derakhshan. Although the prosecutor's call for the death penalty was not approved, the sentence against Hossein Derakhshan represents a serious violation of Iranian obligations under international law. It is clear that Derakhshan, charged with cooperating with hostile countries, spreading propaganda and insulting religious figures, was sentenced for merely enjoying the right to freedom of expression.

Reports from former cell mates indicate that Derakhshan has been tortured while in prison and has been the subject of harsh interrogations. We believe that Derakhshan remains at risk for as long as he is in prison, and that the extreme length of the sentence adds to the danger that he faces. Derakhshan has been held in Evin prison for almost two years, but his case only went to trial last summer.

The 19-and-a-half-year prison sentence was announced on the conservative website http://www.Mashreghnews.ir . The sentence also includes several fines - €30,750, US $2,900, and £200.

We are calling on the Iranian government to immediately release Derakhshan and meet its commitment to protect basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression. We, the undersigned groups, also ask the international community to continue to hold Iran to its obligations and to support Iranian bloggers, journalists and writers to do their work without fear of imprisonment or reprisal.

Prison is no place for Hossein Derakhshan or for the dozens of other writers, journalists, academics and bloggers who continue to languish in Iran's jails.

Signed,


For more information:
ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London
EC1R 3GA
United Kingdom
info (@) article19.org
Phone: +44 20 7324 2517
Fax: +44 20 7490 0566
http://www.article19.org/

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
PO Box 407
555 Richmond St. W., Suite 1101
Toronto, ON M5V 3B1
Canada
cjfe @ cjfe.org
Phone: +1 416 515 9622
Fax: +1 416 515 7879
http://www.cjfe.org

Committee to Protect Journalists
330 7th Ave., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA
info (@) cpj.org
Phone: +1 212 465 1004
Fax: +1 212 465 9568
http://www.cpj.org

Index on Censorship
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3GA
United Kingdom
enquiries (@) indexoncensorship.org
Phone: +44 20 7324 2522

http://www.indexoncensorship.org

PEN Canada
24 Ryerson Avenue, Suite 301
Toronto M5T 2P3
Canada
Phone: +1 416 703 8448 ext. 21
Fax: +1 416 703 3870
http://www.pencanada.ca


Adil Soz - International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
Andean Foundation for Media Observation & Study - INTERIM MEMBER
Associação Brasileira de Jornalismo Investigativo
Association of Caribbean Media Workers
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Centre for Independent Journalism
Freedom Forum - INTERIM MEMBER
Freedom House
Free Media Movement
Globe International
Hong Kong Journalists Association
Human Rights Network for Journalists - INTERIM MEMBER
Independent Journalism Center
Initiative for Freedom of Expression
Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety
Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information
Institute of Mass Information
National Press Association - INTERIM MEMBER
Observatoire pour la liberté de presse, d'édition et de création
Pacific Islands News Association
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms
Privacy International
Public Association "Journalists"
Reporters Without Borders
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
World Press Freedom Committee