IRAN MUST RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST

23 June 2009

CALL ON THE IRANIAN AUTHORITIES TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF DEMONSTRATORS


Iran’s presidential election on 12 June, took place against a backdrop of discrimination, worsening repression of dissent and violent unrest.

In the days following the election, hundreds of thousands of people took part in marches and demonstrations across Iran, protesting against both the process and outcome of the election.

The police and security forces, including the volunteer Basij militia, have used excessive force, including beating with truncheons to end demonstrations.  In some cases demonstrators have been shot with live ammunition, The death toll is rising.

Iran is now witnessing sweeping restrictions on the use of communications technology, including telecommunications, satellite broadcasts and internet access, a ban on peaceful demonstrations, armed attacks on students in university premises  as well as the arbitrary arrest of political activists, students, journalists, and human rights defenders,  many – if not all - of whom are prisoners of conscience.

Peaceful assembly is expressly permitted under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a state party and is also guaranteed by the Constitution of Iran, Amnesty International calls on the Iranian authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations, to exercise restraint in the policing of any further demonstrations, to stop using the Basij militia to police protests, and to ensure that firearms are not used except  as a last resort and where strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.

Amnesty International also urges the Iranian government to stop restricting freedom of expression which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, and association, and  to release immediately and unconditionally anyone detained solely for their peaceful expression of their views, including regarding the outcome of the election.   

Call on the Iranian authorities to protect the right of demonstrators 

Write to the Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei to urge the Iranian authorities to recognize the right to peaceful protest

Write a Letter to Leader of the Islamic Republic

Your Excellency
I am writing to express my deep concern at the violent crackdowns on protesters carried out by the police and security forces, including the volunteer Basij militia, in the days following the presidential elections.

Peaceful assembly is expressly permitted under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a state party and is also guaranteed by the Constitution of Iran. Those exercising their right to peaceful assembly should not be subjected to arbitrary arrest and harassment, the use of excessive force, censorship and armed attacks.

I therefore call on the Iranian authorities to:
• allow all individuals and groups to peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, including when criticizing the Iranian authorities
• ensure that security forces exercise restraint in the policing of any further demonstrations in connection with the election result, and that firearms are not used except as a last resort where strictly unavoidable in order to protect life
• immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained solely for their peaceful expression of their views regarding the outcome of the election anyone so detained is a prisoner of conscience.