Front Line is deeply concerned that the Court of Appeals has reportedly sentenced woman human rights defender, Delaram Ali (20 years old) to thirty months in prison and ten lashes. Delaram Ali was convicted after an unfair trial as a result of her peaceful activities in defence of human rights. The prison sentence handed down by the Appeal Court is grossly disproportionate and the sentence of ten lashes constitutes cruel and inhuman punishment. Front Line urges the Iranian authorities to show clemency in the case of this young woman.
Further Information
Posted 07/11/2007 Delaram Ali was originally sentenced by the District of the Revolutionary Courts in Tehran to 2 years, 10 months jail term and 10 lashes, on 2 July 2007, for her participation in a peaceful gathering of women human rights defenders in Tehran on 12 June 2006. The appeal verdict is based on Articles 500: “propaganda against the state”; and 610: “conspiring to commit or facilitate a non-violent offence against internal or external security of the nation” of the Islamic Penal Code. The authorities have informed Delaram Ali that the decision of the Court of Appeal will be implemented by the end of the week, even if the case is brought to the Court of Cassation. Front Line has previously written to the Iranian authorities regarding Delaram Ali, most recently on 5 July 2007.
Delaram Ali was originally sentenced under the same Articles 500 and 610 as well as Article 618: “disruption of public order” of the Islamic Penal Code. The verdict was allegedly based on a report by the Tehran Branch of the Intelligence Ministry, which claimed that Delaram Ali was guilty of the charges that were brought against her and found her to be a “criminal”.
Delaram Ali´s trial and subsequent conviction were due to her participation in a peaceful gathering in Hafte Tir Square on 12 June 2006. Approximately 70 participants in the peaceful gathering were arrested when the gathering of women's rights defenders was disrupted by female police officers, who reportedly used pepper gas and beat a number of the protesters. Delaram Ali was physically assaulted during the demonstration by female officers, and her arm was broken. A number of women human rights defenders submitted complaints regarding the alleged excessive use of force by police. Last month, however, the officers involved were cleared of any complaints of brutality by the judiciary.
A number of other women human rights defenders who took part in the demonstration have already received sentences. Two human rights defenders have received similar harsh sentences: Aliyeh Eghdam Dust was sentenced to three years and four months and twenty lashes, and Maryam Zia was sentenced to six months imprisonment and ten lashes, which was suspended for the period of two years. Maryam and Alieh have appealed their sentences, but they have not as yet received a date for the appeal. Noushin Ahmady Khorasani received a three years prison sentence; Parvin Ardalan received a three year prison sentence; Shahla Entezari received a three year prison sentence; Sussan Tahmasebi received a two year prison sentence; Azadeh Forghani received a two year prison sentence; Bahareh Hedayad, received a two year prison sentence. Seven women defenders face appeal hearings in December 2007. The seven are Noushin Ahmadi Korasani, Elnaz Ansari, Zara Amjadian, Sara Loghmani, Nelofar Gulkar and Narym Mirza.
Action Finished:
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
