[hr-media] UN experts urge Iran to observe human rights norms in case of dead journalist

UN EXPERTS URGE IRAN TO OBSERVE HUMAN RIGHTS NORMS IN CASE OF DEAD JOURNALIST
New York, Jul 27 2004 11:00AM

Voicing "profound concern" over the case of a journalist who died in Iran
after reportedly being beaten, three United Nations human rights
specialists today called on the government to comply with humanitarian
norms, warning that failure to ensure due process set the ground for
similar abuses in the future.

The acquittal of an Iranian intelligence officer last week after a two-day
trial for the alleged killing of journalist Zahra Kazemi left "unanswered
questions," according to a joint statement issued by Special Rapporteur on
the right to freedom of opinion and expression Ambeyi Ligabo, Special
Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy, and
Special Rapporteur on torture Theo van Boven.
Ms. Kazemi was arrested on 23 June 2003, while working as a journalist
outside Evin prison in Tehran, the Iranian capital. She was reportedly
beaten and subjected to other forms of ill-treatment in detention, and died
of her injuries 17 days later.

Many reports indicate that the trial proceedings did not meet international
standards of fairness because key evidence that might have incriminated
judiciary officials, the prosecutor's office and the intelligence ministry
was ignored by the court, the statement said. It also voiced concern that
journalists and other foreign observers were barred from full access to the
courtroom after the start of the trial.

"The independent experts fear that by failing to ensure an open trial and
the independent functioning of the judiciary -- which should take into
account all findings that could shed light on this case -- the authorities
are favouring a climate oof impunity for law enforcement officials and
setting the ground for the recurrence of similar human rights violations in
the future," the statement added.

"The experts underline the need for prompt and impartial investigations
whenever acts and practices of torture are alleged," it concluded, calling
on the authorities to comply strictly with international human rights
norms, in particular with the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights ratified by the Iran.

Under the Covenant, States Parties undertake, among other pledges, to
safeguard "an effective remedy" for any person whose rights are violated
even when the abuse has been committed by persons acting in an official
capacity, and to ensure that competent authorities shall enforce such
remedies when granted.

In another development, a visit by the UN Working Group on Enforced or
Involuntary Disappearances to Iran, scheduled for 25 to 28 July, has been
postponed at the request of the Government, which has proposed it take
place in October at the latest.