Amnesty International Local Group 49
Providence, RI
The Fight for Human Righs
Below is a list of the cases we are currently pursuing. Visit the Contact Us page to learn how to get involved. We hope you will help us free these Prisoners of Conscience and promote and protect human rights for all.
Save Arzhang Davoodi: Iran
Arzhang Davoodi, a poet, author, and educator, was arrested in October 2003 for helping to make "Forbidden Iran," a documentary film that exposed human rights violations in Iran. The film revealed the truth about the death in prison of Canadian-Arabian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, and was shown in Europe and North America, and broadcast on PBS's Frontline. He was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison and 70 lashes on charges relating to this documentary and for his call for freedom and democracy in a secular Iran. He was asked at least three times to sign a pre-written confession.
Arzhang Davoodi has never seen a copy of the conviction order or the official verdict, his sentence was passed behind closed doors, and his lawyers, who have yet to see the courtís sentencing order, were not allowed in. In 2011, he was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison on charges of "spreading
propaganda against the system," "insulting officials," and "causing unease in the public mind" in connection with statements he made from prison. In August 2013 his sentence was extended by another five years to 20 years and eight months. In Tehran's notorious Evin prison, his torturers have broken his shoulder blade, his jaw, teeth, fingers and beaten on his ears and eyes, as a result of which his hearing and sight are impaired. He has been denied access to medical treatment. He has spent long periods in solitary confinement and was transferred to a prison used for violent criminals, including murderers. His house has been confiscated by the government and sold. Since then, he has been declared moharabeh, an enemy of God, a charge that often means death. A new charge against him has resulted in a death sentence. He has gone on several hunger strikes to protest conditions at the prison.
A report on Davoodi's treatment was delivered by the UN Human Rights Council to the General Assembly. Amnesty International has declared Arzhang Davoodi a Prisoner of Conscience, imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing his beliefs.
Help us free Arzhang Davoodi by writing a letter to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Use this sample letter as a guide.
Mikalai Statkevich HAS BEEN FREED!!
Mikalai Statkevich was the presidential candidate for the opposition in the 2010 presidential election in Belarus. Following the elections, Mr. Statkevich joined thousands of protesters peacefully demonstrating against election fraud in downtown Minsk. He was one of hundreds of protesters arrested when police violently dispersed the protest. He was charged under Article 293.1 of the Belarus Criminal Code for "organizing mass disorder," and convicted to six years in prison in a high-security penal colony. At trial, no proof of violent attacks during the demonstration was presented. Prior to his arrest, Mr. Statkevich played an active role in Belarus's pro-democracy political opposition.
The penal colony authorities have claimed that he regularly violated penal colony regulations, was inclined toward violence, and liable to attempt escape. No evidence exists to support this latter claim, and his family fear that the prison authorities may be preparing to use this as an excuse if something happens to Mikalai Statkevich in prison. His communication with his family has been restricted and he has been threatened with new sanctions for violating prison rules. In July 2012, he was also placed in a punishment cell for allegedly refusing to request a
Presidential pardon when asked to do so. His wife attributes the tough measures against her husband to his refusal to apply for a pardon in protest of his innocence. The violations of which he has been accused can add up to one year to his sentence under Article 411 of the Criminal Code.
In prison, he has been subject to sleep deprivation. Prison guards keep him up by shouting and kicking against the cellís door, and screaming in the food slot every 10 to 15 minutes. He is prevented from sleeping at night so they can "catch" him sleeping during the day. Punished for "day sleeping," he was regularly put in a punishment cell and not allowed to receive visits or phone calls from his relatives.
For more than two years, he has been kept separate to deprive him of contact with other prisoners. He is allowed only two visits a year at two hours each, when they talk by phone with a glass screen separating them. He is allowed one phone call a month.
He is often placed in a punishment cell and harassed. He receives empty envelopes stamped "this letter did not pass the censorship." His wife states that he has not received any newspapers or books sent to him, and that the authorities want him to believe that everyone has forgotten about him.
Mykalai is due to be transferred back the penal colony on January 12, 2015 where he is due to remain until December 19, 2016. He was recently moved to Mahiliou Prison. In December 2012, Mr. Statkevich was awarded the prestigious Willy Brandt prize for his political courage.
Help us free Mikalai Statkevich by writing a letter to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Use this sample letter as a guide.