SAR calls for letters on behalf of imprisoned Iranian scholar of chemistry, Prof. Mohammad Hossein Rafiee

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned over the ongoing detention of Professor Mohammad Hossein Rafiee, a retired professor of chemistry. SAR last wrote on November 9, 2015 to express concern over Prof. Rafiee’s arrest and imprisonment in June 2015.

SAR calls for letters, emails, and faxes respectfully urging authorities in Iran to investigate the situation, to ensure Prof. Rafiee’s well-being while in custody, to ensure that any charges or convictions related to Prof. Rafiee’s peaceful exercise of protected human rights are lifted, and that in the interim, his case is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial and detention, in accordance with Iran’s obligations under international law.

Scholars at Risk understands that Prof. Rafiee, previously a professor of chemistry at Tehran University until his retirement in 2011, has been imprisoned since June 16, 2015. He was arrested without a warrant. The current charges against Prof. Rafiee remain unclear. Prof. Rafiee has previously been arrested for his peaceful exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of association, rights protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Scholars at Risk understands that, after his arrest, Prof. Rafiee was taken to Evin Prison, where he remains. He reports inhumane conditions within the prison, including overcrowding, insufficient sanitation and inadequate nutrition. Shortly after his arrival, Prof. Rafiee began a hunger strike, but ended it at the request of his family, who fear for his well-being given his recent ill health and the reported worsening conditions of Evin Prison.

We welcome any additional information which may explain these events or clarify our understanding. Absent this, the arrest and prolonged detention of Prof. Rafiee suggest a troubling disregard for international standards of due process, fair trial and detention, as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran has acceded.

We therefore respectfully urge you to intervene to ensure Prof. Rafiee’s well-being while in custody. We also urge you to ensure that any charges or convictions related to Prof. Rafiee’s peaceful exercise of protected human rights are lifted, and that in the interim, his case is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial and detention, in accordance with Iran’s obligations under international law.

Scholars at Risk therefore invites letters, emails and faxes be sent, respectfully urging the appropriate authorities to:

– investigate the situation and ensure Prof. Rafiee’s well-being while in custody,

– ensure that any charges or convictions related to Prof. Rafiee’s peaceful exercise of protected human rights are lifted, and

– ensure that in the interim, his case is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial and detention, in accordance with Iran’s obligations under international law.