A group of leading free expression organizations has 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.

Charged with ‘spreading propaganda’
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.

Article 19, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, The Committee to Protect Journalists, Index on Censorship and PEN Canada 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.

19 year prison sentence
The 19 and a half year prison sentence was announced on the conservative website Mashreghnews.ir this morning. The sentence also includes several fines – €30,750, US $2,900, and £200.

The free speech groups call on the Iranian government to immediately release Derakhshan and meet its commitment to protect basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression.

The 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.

Amnesty International has today also expressed concern over the sentencing Derakhshan.

No details of conviction
As is common in cases portrayed by the authorities as relating to “national security”, Hossein Derakhshan’s lawyer has not been given a copy of the verdict nor yet had adequate opportunity to take note of the full details of his conviction and sentence.

Hossein Derakhshan, 35, who wrote his blog mostly from outside Iran, is credited with helping to spark a surge in blogging on reform issues in Iran in 2001 by posting simple instructions in Persian on how to set up a site and begin writing online comments.

“The Iranian authorities routinely resort to bringing vaguely worded charges relating to national security, which do not amount to recognizable criminal offences, against those who peacefully express dissent,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

 “We know from long experience that the fairness of trials before Revolutionary Courts is seriously compromised.  This blogger spent well over a year held without charge in a legal limbo in circumstances where he was prevented from receiving visits from his family and lawyer. Many others held in such circumstances have later stated that they were tortured or otherwise ill-treated while held”.

At first a journalist in Tehran before moving to Canada in 2000, Hossein Derakhshan returned to Iran at the end of October 2008 and continued to blog from there but was arrested at his family home in Tehran on 1 November 2008.

He has 20 days in which to lodge an appeal and is believed to be held in Evin Prison, Tehran.

Organisations
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.

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) champions the free expression rights of journalists and media workers around the world. In Canada, we monitor, defend and promote free expression and access to information. We encourage and support individuals and groups to be vigilant in the protection of their own and others’ free expression rights. We are active participants and builders of the global free expression community.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1981. We promote press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal.

Index on Censorship is amongst Britain’s leading organisations promoting freedom of expression. With its global profile, its website provides up-to-the-minute news and information on free expression from around the world. Our events and projects put our causes into action.

Our award-winning magazine shines a light on these vital issues through original, challenging and intelligent writing.

PEN Canada is committed to defending freedom of opinion and the peaceable expression of such opinion, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It campaigns on behalf of writers around the world persecuted for the expression of their thoughts. In Canada, it supports the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Section 2 (b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

PEN Canada is one of 145 centres of PEN International, the oldest freedom of expression organization in the world, founded in London in 1921.

Amnesty International is a global movement of 2.8 million supporters, members and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who ampaign to end grave abuses of human rights. The organization is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and is funded mainly by membership and public donations.

HRH London, based on Article19 press release and Amnesty International information.

Related links:

Iranian journalist sentenced to six years’ imprisonment

Jailed Iranian blogger receives Freedom of the Press Award

Iran: one year after elections – importance of internet and small media