Emadeddin Baghi: Imprisoned for speaking the truth

Human Rights Journalist Emadeddin Baghi Arrested in Iran

Posted by Jon King on Jan 09, 2010

Tagged with: activist, amnesty international, emad baghi, emadeddin baghi, human rights, international campaign for human rights in iran, iran, jon king, new world politics

Amnesty International call for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi…

Human Rights Journalist Emadeddin Baghi Arrested in Iran

By Jon King

Fierce Crackdown Following Ashura Protests

It has emerged that Iranian human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi, winner of the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2009, was arrested by agents of Iran’s secret police along with more than 1000 others on December 28th as part of the Iranian government’s fierce crackdown following the Ashura protests.

Among the others detained was the sister of Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, Dr. Nooshin Ebadi.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran is monitoring the situation.

“Emad Baghi’s arrest, as well as that of Dr. Ebadi, constitutes a blatant assault on the principled human rights community and a challenge to the growing civil rights movement in Iran,” Campaign spokesperson, Aaron Rhodes, said.

“There is no reason to arrest Dr. Ebadi other than to intimidate Shirin Ebadi; the arrest is existentially a kidnapping consistent with the tactics of criminal gangs.”

Founder of the Society for the Defence of Prisoners’ Rights and an outspoken critic of Iran’s death penalty, Emad Baghi has spent four of the past ten years in prison, and has suffered serious health problems as a result.

During a previous jail term he suffered seizures and a heart attack, and fears for his life continue to grow as family and friends attempt to gain information on his whereabouts and condition.

Human Rights Journalist Emadeddin Baghi Arrested in Iran

Many Others Also Arrested

According to a report on the Campaign’s website, many other prominent journalists and activists have been arrested during the past two days, including:

Ebrahim Yazdi, former Foreign Minister and head of the Liberation Front;

Mash’allah Shamsalvaezin, spokesman for the Association in Defense of the Press;

Shapour Kazemi, brother in law of Mir-Hussein Mousavi;

Badralsadat Mofidi, head of the Journalists’ Association;

Prominent journalists Reza Tajik, Nasrin Vaziri, Keyvan Mehrgan, and Mohammad Javad Saberi;

Mansoureh Shojaii, women’s rights activist;

And political activists: Alireza Beheshti, Morteza Haji, Ghorban Behzadian-nejad, Mostafa Ezedi, Mohammad Taheri, and Heshmatollah Tabari.

Human Rights Journalist Emadeddin Baghi Arrested in Iran

Amnesty Calls For Unconditional Release

According to Amnesty International, “the [Iranian] government’s campaign of intimidation and brutality continues.”

“They’re gunning down protestors in the streets. They’re blocking foreign reporting on human rights violations. They’re locking up rights defenders and journalists.

“At least 10 people were killed the day before Baghi’s arrest as they gathered peacefully in protest.

“Despite this intensifying crackdown, courageous defenders like Emadeddin Baghi continue to confront violent oppression. They need to know they’re not alone.”

Amnesty is calling for supporters of justice and freedom to sign its petition for the immediate and unconditional release of Emadeddin Baghi.

Click here: Amnesty International Petition

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