URGENT: Save the life of Kurdish minority Habibollah Latifi!

E-Letter Updated 05/17/11

BACKGROUND
Habibollah Latifi is a 29-year-old university student from Kurdistan who has been sentenced to death on charge of Moharebeh (enmity with God). He is currently imprisoned at the Sanandaj Prison. Several sources have reported that Latifi has suffered from various illnesses, including an intestinal infection, heart problems, and kidney failure. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has also noted that it believes the same intelligence-security forces are moving towards large scale politically motivated executions. Another young Kurdish man, Shirkoo Moarefi, also faces the risk of execution. In the past week, some 18 people have been executed. The frequency and number of executions in Iran has become increasingly of grave concern for activists.

UPDATES
>>Click here to read updates and developments.

DIRECTIONS
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Subject:

Your Letter:

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you out of deep concern for 29-year-old Iranian-Kurd Habibollah Latifi. He was originally scheduled for execution on December 26, 2010, but after international outcries, protests, and great efforts on behalf of his lawyer and family, the execution had been postponed for further review. On May 17, 2011, the world learned that Iran's Supreme Court confirmed his execution sentence, and at this juncture, it is critical you and your colleagues stand up for this young Kurdish student.

Mr. Latifi was initially arrested in October of 2007 and detained in Sanandaj prison. His death sentence was issued in 2008 and upheld by the Appeal Court in Sanandaj on 18 February 2009. Mr. Latifi is reported to be in poor physical condition due to torture. He has suffered from bronchitis, breathing problems, broken bones, kidney failure, and torture wounds. Despite these various medical conditions, he has been denied proper medical care.

Sources have told the ICHRI that Latifi's initial execution sentence was based solely on confessions obtained under pressure and that no substantive evidence was presented to support the verdict. He was charged with Moharebeh (enmity with God)  for allegedly attacking a police station, planning the assassination of the Sanandaj prosecutor, and setting off explosions. His family maintains that he was tortured in prison and coerced to confess to having committed crimes he absolutely denied following his trial.

The ICHRI also reported that several of his family members were arrested only a few hours after his execution was postponed back in December 2010. According to a source close to the family, all detained family members were forced to sign promises not to talk to the media. I plead you to help ensure Mr. Latifi's family and friends are protected from harassment for their peaceful protests.

The human rights watchdog also has noted that Iran's intelligence-security forces are moving towards large scale, politically motivated executions. Another young Kurdish man, Shirkoo Moarefi, also faces the risk of execution. With Iran now averaging one execution every eight hours, the frequency and number of executions in Iran remains a huge concern for activists. There are currently at least 16 known Kurdish prisoners on death row, with many others in detention, facing severe and unjust sentences. Detained Kurdish minorities often face the Moharabeh charge --  a politically motivated charge being used as a "catch all" to inflict severe punishments.

Many lawyers, including that of Kurdish death row inmate Shirkoo Moarefi, have expressed concern over the risks of illegal executions, often carried out without informing the prisoner’s lawyer or family.  Iran's Kurdish minorities continue to face systematic persecution by being denied free expression and by being accused of association with armed groups. Such unsubstantiated claims, which can lead to the severe charge of Moharebeh, continues to be increasingly used against activists as a means to silence and deter dissent.

I understand and recognize the right and responsibility of governments to implement justice, in conformity with international standards, to those suspected of criminal offenses. With a court system that lacks independence, and is now more than ever under the control of intelligence and security forces, fair trials cannot be guaranteed.

Article 6(2) of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) states that in countries that still practice capital punishment, the death sentence should only be reserved for the most serious crimes. However, the judiciary system in Iran has been reinterpreting rules and applying severe punishments, including execution, for activities that are not considered crimes under international human rights standards.

I plead you to work with the international community to ensure a permanent halt Latifi's execution and to ensure him fair legal proceedings. Furthermore, I urge you and your colleagues to help ensure Latifi's family, friends, and supporters are not harassed or detained for their peaceful protests and activities.

With the integrity of the international human rights community at stake, your support for the life of this young Kurdish student would be an immensely welcome gesture worldwide.

Thank you for addressing these concerns. I look forward to your response.

Your Sincerely,

Ban Ki-Moon

United Nations Secretary-General

UN

Navanethem Pillay

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Uri Rosenthal

NL - Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ne

William Hague

United Kingdom

Beatriz Lorenzo

Spain - Human Rights Office

Michael Spindelegger

Austria

Steven Vanackere

Belgium

Guido Westerwelle

Germany

Ossur Skarpheoinsson

Iceland

Michael Martin

Ireland

Franco Frattini

Italy

Jonas Gahr Store

Norway

Carl Bildt

Sweden

Micheline Calmy-Rey

Switzerland

Dilma Rousseff

President - Brazil

Stephen Harper

Canada - Prime Minister

David Cameron

Prime Minister

GB

Hillary Clinton

US Department of State

Kathy Stewart

US Bureau of Democracy & Human Rights

Malick El Hadji Sow

Chairperson - Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

Ali Reza Avaie

Head of the Tehran Judiciary

Lawrence Cannon

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ca

Alain Juppe

France - Foreign Minister

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