English PEN is concerned about the murder and arrest of Iraqi and Irani activists because of their protest activity and calls for an independent and transparent investigation into Hadi al-Mahdi murder and into Farid’s reported assault.

Journalist arrested in Iran
Faranak Farid was arrested on 3 September 2011 in Tabriz, north-west Iran, apparently for her peaceful activism and writings on environmental issues and women’s rights.

According to English PEN, Faranak Farid, editor-in-chief of the banned monthly Dilmaj, poet and women’s rights activist, was arrested by plainclothes officers whilst out shopping in the city of Tabriz on 3 September 2011. Security forces later searched her house and seized her computer and personal documents.

She was arrested following her participation in a peaceful protest against the environmental policies of the Iranian authorities affecting the Urmiah Lake in north-western Iran, and is also thought to be targeted for her writings and activism in defense of women’s rights. She is believed to be facing charges of ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’, ‘propaganda against the system’, and ‘acting against national security’.

Severely beaten during interrogation
Faranak Farid was reportedly severely beaten during her arrest and also ill-treated during the lengthy interrogation sessions which followed at the Tabriz police detention centre in the initial days of her detention. Requests for medical treatment have been denied and concerns for her welfare are mounting.

English PEN is calling for Faranak Farid’s immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory. In the meantime, English PEN is demanding that the journalist be given all necessary medical treatment as a matter of urgency.

Faranak Farid is now being held in the women’s section of Tabriz Central Prison, where she is feared to be at risk of ill-treatment. Her sister was allowed to visit her there for 45 minutes on 12 September 2011 but an independent lawyer appointed to represent her has not yet had access to her.

Iraqi radio journalist shot ahead of protest
English PEN is appalled by the murder of prominent journalist, playwright, filmmaker and member of Iraqi PEN Hadi al-Mahdi and is calling for an independent and transparent investigation into his murder, so that those responsible can be brought to justice, and for full protection to other journalists and writers who face politically motivated threats and attacks.

According to organisation’s information Hadi al-Mahdi was shot twice in the head at his flat in Baghdad, ahead of a planned protest he was due to attend in the city’s Tahrir Square on 9 September 2011.

He hosted a popular radio talk-show ‘To Whoever Listens’ which was aired three times a week on the independent radio station Radio Demozy, and on which he was known for his outspoken criticism of the government.

Called for peaceful protests
English PEN says that he had been receiving threats since 25 February 2011, when he was arrested after calling for peaceful anti-government protests. In the days leading up to his murder the threats escalated.

He is said to have stopped broadcasting his show about two months ago, reportedly out of fear for his safety.

In August 2011, Iraq’s Parliament passed a new law on legal protections for journalists who face ongoing politically motivated threats and attacks. However, the law does not provide for their physical protection.

Omani journalists sentenced, paper shut down
On 21 September the charges were brought against Omani journalist Yousef al-Haj; his editor, Ibrahim al-Ma’mari; and a civil servant, Haroun al-Mukbeeli, who allegedly provided information for the article in which allegedly the justice minister and his deputy were insulted and defamed.

According Human Rights Watch, a judge of the Primary Court of al-Khuwayr sentenced al-Haj and al-Ma’mari to five months in prison each on charges of “defaming” and “insulting the dignity” of the minister of justice and his deputy. The judge also ordered the newspaper to shut down for a month.

The charges stem from an article al-Haj wrote in Azzamn on May 14 alleging that the justice minister and his deputy refused to grant a salary and grade increase to al-Mukeebli, a longtime civil servant. The judge also sentenced al-Mukeebli to five months in prison on the same charges, presumably for speaking with al-Haj about his case.

Human Rights Watch informs that Al-Haj and his editor posted bail of 200 Omani Riyals (US$520) shortly after the verdict and would be free while they appeal the decision; the first hearing of the court of appeal is set for October 15. The authorities will also allow the newspaper to operate during this period.

Al-Haj said he fears that these charges were an attempt to silence Azzamn and to punish him personally for his participation in widely publicized pro-reform sit-ins by civil society activists in front of the Shura Council building in central Muscat from March to June 2011.

The charges brought to the newspaper journalists appear to violate international standards of freedom of expression, including the right to criticize government ministers.

Background
Faranak Farid, left, (pen-name Ipek), aged 50, is a leading writer, editor and women’s rights activist in Iran. Her publications include the poetry collection Yuxuda Ayilmaq, published in 2009, and Jiziq. She is a founding member of the One Million Signature Campaign and has participated in numerous conferences and seminars both inside and outside Iran.

Prominent Iraqi journalist, playwright, filmmaker and member of Iraqi PEN Hadi al-Mahdi, left, is forty-four years old. He spent six months in prison in the late 1980s for his play Farewell, Strange Old World, which was a re-telling of Machiavellis The Prince. He lived in exile in Europe throughout the 1990s, returning to Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Please send letters of appeal concerning Farid’s and Hadi al-Mahdi’s cases. Find guidelines and addresses here and here.

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