AI-Fear of imminent amputation

PUBLIC          AI Index: MDE 13/001/03
EXTRA 01/03     Fear of imminent amputation     08 January 2003
               
IRAN    Reza Nazaarit, (m) aged 22
        Mohamaad Safaavi (m) aged 22
        Mehdi Boyeri (m) aged 23
        Hoseyn Amiri (m) aged 23

Amnesty International is concerned at reports that Reza Nazaarit, Mohamaad Safaavi, Mehdi Boyeri and Hoseyn Amiri may be at risk of imminent cross amputations.

According to reports, a Revolutionary court in Shiraz, south western Iran have sentenced the men on charges of an "armed uprising against the Islamic regime" and theft. They have reportedly been sentenced to have their right hand and left foot amputated.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 2002, Amnesty International has recorded nine amputations, although the true figure may be significantly higher. Of the recorded amputations, one was a cross amputation. Punishment by amputation is imposed often in connection with theft.

Amnesty International recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all governments to bring to justice those found guilty of a recognizably criminal offence. However, the organization fundamentally opposes the cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment of judicial amputation and considers it to be a form of torture.  

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
- urging the authorities to commute the aamputation punishment immediately;
- seeking clarification of the exact charrges against Reza Nazaarit, Mohamaad Safaavi, Mehdi Boyeri and Hoseyn Amiri;
- requesting details of the trials of thee four men, including details of any appeals against their convictions;
- urging the judicial authorities to impllement a moratorium on the use of amputations, which is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment prohibited under Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Iran is a state party, with a view to its eventual abolition.

APPEALS TO:

Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed >Ali Khamenei,
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams:      Ayatollah Khamenei, Tehran, Iran
Email:          webmaster@wilayah.org (on the subject line write: For the attention of the
office of His Excellency, Ayatollah al Udhma Khamenei, Qom)


Salutation:     Your Excellency

President
His Excellency Hojjatoleslam val Moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatami
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams:              President Khatami, Tehran, Iran
E-mail:                         khatami@president.ir
Salutation:             Your Excellency

Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams:      Head of Judiciary, Tehran, Iran
Faxes:          + 98 21 879 6671 (number may be unreliable; please mark "Care of Director of International Affairs, Judiciary")
Salutation:     Your Excellency

COPIES TO:
Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency Kamal Kharrazi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk?e Mesri Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams:      Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tehran, Iran
Faxes:          + 98 21 390 1999 ("Care of the Human Rights Department, Foreign Ministry)
Salutation:     Your Excellency

Parliamentary Committee
Chairperson, Article 90 Commission (Komisyon?e Asl?e Navad)
Majles?e Shura?ye Eslami, Imam Khomeini Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Telegrams:      Majles, Tehran, Iran
Faxes:          + 98 21 646 1746 (Can be difficult to reach, please be patient)
Salutation:     Dear Sir
and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.