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08/19/09
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Independent investigation needed into rape and torture in detention in Iran
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Statement by
Amnesty International
Allegations that election protesters were
tortured and raped in detention must be urgently investigated by the Iranian
authorities, Amnesty International's Secretary General said on Saturday.
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Taraneh Mousavi, one of the alleged rape victims
related story1 and story2
(in Persian) |
Irene Khan called on Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to institute an
immediate, independent inquiry into the allegations, and to invite international
experts - including the UN's experts on torture and extrajudicial killings - to
help carry it out.
"Reports emerging from Iran allege that both men and women detainees have been
tortured, including by rape ... in some cases causing their deaths," said Irene
Khan.
"The forms of abuse described appear to have been intended to degrade and
humiliate the victims in the most extreme way. If the allegations are
well-founded those responsible must be brought to justice without delay."
A recent investigation reported to have been conducted by the Iranian parliament
found no evidence of rape or other torture of detainees, according to parliament
speaker Ali Larijani.
However, Ayatollah Khamenei had earlier ordered the closure of Kahrizak
detention centre and announced that the prison's chief and several guards had
been dismissed for abuse of prisoners.
"If Speaker Larijani's denial is to have credibility, we need to know the
details of the parliamentary investigation to which he refers, including who
carried it out and whether it could be considered independent," said Irene Khan.
"We are urging the Speaker to make the details known and to publish the full
findings of the investigation so that the world can assess whether it can be
considered credible, or was merely an attempt to deflect criticism and cover up
the truth."
On Friday, Mehdi Karroubi, one of the four candidates permitted to stand in the
12 June presidential election, alleged that a number of detainees held for
protesting against the disputed official result of the election had been beaten
to death in detention.
Previously, on 9 August, he alleged that detainees had been tortured, including
by rape, and called for an urgent inquiry. It was shortly after this, in the
face of mounting international concern, that the Speaker said the allegations
had been dismissed by a parliamentary inquiry.
Mohsen Rouhalamini, son of a top aide to presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei,
is reported to have died of cardiac arrest and bleeding in his lungs two weeks
after he was detained on 9 July. He is believed to have been held at Kahrizak
and was alleged to have had serious facial injuries.
Ayatollah Khamenei is reported to have ordered an investigation into his death.
Soon afterwards, he ordered the closure of Kahrizak detention centre.
"The Supreme Leader must act, and act now, to address the spiral of abuse," said
Irene Khan.
"Official denials are not enough. What is needed is a root and branch
investigation into the allegations of torture, including rape, and other abuses,
and the Supreme Leader should invite international experts - such as the UN
special rapporteurs on torture and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary
executions - to visit Iran and participate in the investigation, if it is to
have credibility at home and abroad."
... Payvand News - 08/19/09 ... --
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