Zeinab Jalalian was arrested in 2008 in the western Iranian city of Kermanshah because she allegedly wrote and created posters for the Kurdish nationalist group, the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) and because of her alleged ties to the group.

“Lost” file
On June 26 2009, Kurdish human rights organisations reported that Zainab’s death sentence had been finalised and forwarded to the enforcement section.

Her lawyer is reporting that she has been moved to another ward in preparation for execution and that it is likely her sentence will soon be carried out. Upon attempting to receive updates on her condition and sentence, her family was told that her file was “lost”.

In similar cases, the files of other prisoners sentenced to death were also declared lost.

Denied access to legal councel
Zainab was denied access to legal counsel at her trial; her plea to say goodbye to her family was met with, “shut up” by the sentencing judge, and she was condemned to death by hanging.

This is in direct violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a signatory, which guarantees defendants access to legal counsel and a “fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal” (Articles 14 and 10).

Organisation Article 19 condemns the execution of Kurds by the government of Iran and calls for immediate action on the part of the Iranian Judiciary to halt all death sentences.

Dr. Agnès Callamard, Article 19 Executive Director said “The Islamic Republic of Iran must heed calls from the international human rights community to comply with international law and norms, abide by UN treaties, and act immediately to save her life and the life of the other 15 Kurdish political prisoners on death row.”

15 political prisoners
The other 15 Kurdish political prisoners on death row are: Habibollah Latifi, Shirkoo Moarefi, Hussein Khazri, Rostam Arkia, Mostafa Salimi, Anvar Rostami, Rashid Akhkandi, Mohammad Amin Agooshi, Ahmad Pooladkhani, Seyed Sami Husseini, Seyed Jamal Mohammadi, Hasan Talei, Iraj Mohammadi, Mohammad Amin Abdollahi and Ghader Mohammadzadeh.

On 9 May 2010, Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heydarian, Farhad Vakili and Shirin Alam-Holi were hanged at Evin prison in Tehran along with Mehdi Eslamian, a non- Kurdish political prisoner. All were convicted of ‘moharabeh’ (enmity against God).

Moved to Evin prison
According to the Iranian movement “Stop the Executions” which seeks seek to provide information and sources about serious violations oh human rights, Zainab was moved to Evin Ward 209 on 27 June. She was moved to this prison from Ministry of Intelligence detention center on 5 March, previously held in Kermanshah Prison.

According to them on 5 July two people were hanged in Orumiyeh Prison for alleged drug trafficking. Five people (currently unnamed) were moved to Orumiyeh Prison, which indicates more executions are pending.

Many human rights organisations call Iranian authorities and international community to help stop the execution of Zeinab Jalalian. Here you sign a petition to the United Nations regarding her case

Contacts
For more information please contact: Amir Bayani, Iran Programme Officer, amir@article19.org, +44 20 7324 2500

Article 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works around the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.

HRH London, article based on Article 19 press release and “Stop the executions” information.

Related links:

Turkey: Publisher R.Zarakolu acquitted – Writer M.Güler sentenced to 15 months

Iran sentences journalist Maziar Bahari, new wave of arrests starts

Fifteen Kurdish political prisoners are at risk of imminent execution in Iran