The Observatory has been informed by the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) about the sentencing of Mr. Reza Khandan, a human rights defender known for having raised concerns on Facebook about human rights violations in Iran, including the imprisonment of human rights defenders and the prosecution of women who have campaigned against the imposition of the hijab. Mr. Khandan also campaigned for the release of his wife, Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh, one of Iran’s most prominent human rights lawyers, who was arrested on June 13, 2018 [1].
According to the information received, on January 22, 2019, Mr. Khandan’s lawyer was notified that Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolution Court in Tehran sentenced his client to six years of imprisonment - five years for “gathering and collusion with intent to commit crimes against national security” (Article 610 of the Islamic Penal Code) and one year for “spreading propaganda against the system” (Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code). He was also banned from “membership in social and political groups and parties, undertaking activities in cyberspace, the media and the press” and from travelling abroad for two years. Mr. Khandan will appeal the court’s decision and will remain free pending the appeal.
The Observatory recalls that Mr. Khandan was arrested on September 4, 2018, and released on bail on December 23, 2018 (see background information). The Observatory also recalls that several other human rights defenders remain in arbitrary detention.
The Observatory condemns the sentencing of Mr. Reza Khandan, which seems to be only aimed at punishing him for his legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory calls on Iranian authorities to end all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against Mr. Reza Khandan and all human rights defenders in the country.
Background information:
On September 4, 2018, Mr. Reza Khandan was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his home in Tehran and subsequently taken to Branch 7 of the Prosecutor’s Office in the capital’s Evin prison. He was detained on charges of “gathering and colluding against national security”, “spreading propaganda against the system”, and “propagating and promoting disregard for hijab in the society”. The Prosecutor’s Office ordered him to deposit bail to the amount of 7,000 million Iranian rials (approximately 55,000 Euros). Mr. Reza Khandan refused to pay the bail, arguing that he had not committed any offences, and remained detained in Evin prison.
On December 23, 2018, Mr. Reza Khandan was provisionally released on a ‘personal guarantee’ [2]. This followed a court hearing that was attended by Mr. Reza Khandan on December 19, 2018, at Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolution Court in Tehran. During the hearing, the Court agreed to change Mr. Khandan’s financial bail to a personal guarantee.
How You Can Help
Please write to the authorities of Iran asking them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Mr. Reza Khandan and all human rights defenders in Iran;
ii. Put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against Mr. Reza Khandan, and all human rights defenders in the country;
iii. Comply with all the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, in particular its Articles 1, 6, 9, 11 and 12;
iv. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Iran.
