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Washington Post petitions UN for Jason Rezaian's release on arrest anniversary Washington Post petitions UN for Jason Rezaian's release on arrest anniversary
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The Washington Post is petitioning the United Nations to help secure the immediate release of its Tehran correspondent, Jason Rezaian, who has been imprisoned in Iran for 365 days as the US worked with the country to reach a historic nuclear deal.The Washington Post is petitioning the United Nations to help secure the immediate release of its Tehran correspondent, Jason Rezaian, who has been imprisoned in Iran for 365 days as the US worked with the country to reach a historic nuclear deal.
On 22 July 2014, Iranian security forces raided Rezaian’s Tehran home in the middle of the night, and arrested him along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two others. Rezaian is the only one who remains in prison. The couple was released shortly after their arrest, and Salehi, also a journalist, was released on bail in October.On 22 July 2014, Iranian security forces raided Rezaian’s Tehran home in the middle of the night, and arrested him along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two others. Rezaian is the only one who remains in prison. The couple was released shortly after their arrest, and Salehi, also a journalist, was released on bail in October.
The petition, announced on Wednesday during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington marking the one-year anniversary of Rezaian’s imprisonment, urges swift action by the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to secure the Iranian-American journalist’s release. The petition also asserts that Rezaian’s imprisonment violates numerous international laws and that his prolonged detention could pose a serious danger to his health and safety. The petition, announced on Wednesday during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington marking the first anniversary of Rezaian’s imprisonment, urges swift action by the UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to secure the Iranian-American journalist’s release. The petition also asserts that Rezaian’s imprisonment violates numerous international laws and that his prolonged detention could pose a serious danger to his health and safety.
“Every aspect of this case – his incarceration, his trial, his unjust imprisonment – has been a disgraceful violation of human rights and it violates common decency,” executive editor Martin Baron said during the press conference.“Every aspect of this case – his incarceration, his trial, his unjust imprisonment – has been a disgraceful violation of human rights and it violates common decency,” executive editor Martin Baron said during the press conference.
During his 12 months in confinement, Rezaian has been subject to harsh interrogation and months of solitary confinement; denied access to basic medical care that has exacerbated minor health problems; and refused the right to select an attorney of his choosing.During his 12 months in confinement, Rezaian has been subject to harsh interrogation and months of solitary confinement; denied access to basic medical care that has exacerbated minor health problems; and refused the right to select an attorney of his choosing.
Rezaian, whose closed-door trial began in late May, is facing charges of espionage and collaborating with hostile governments. Rezaian appeared last week before a revolutionary court for a third one-day trial session, though little is know about what was discussed as the press and the journalist’s family have been barred from attending. Rezaian, whose closed-door trial began in late May, is facing charges of espionage and collaborating with hostile governments. Rezaian appeared last week before a revolutionary court for a third one-day trial session, though little is known about what was discussed as the press and the journalist’s family have been barred from attending.
Rezaian’s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, has told the Washington Post that Iranian authorities said the journalist’s next hearing will “almost certainly” be the last, the paper said in a statement this week. No date has yet been set for his fourth court appearance.Rezaian’s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, has told the Washington Post that Iranian authorities said the journalist’s next hearing will “almost certainly” be the last, the paper said in a statement this week. No date has yet been set for his fourth court appearance.
The correspondent’s case came as the US and world powers hammered out a deal in Vienna that would curb Iran’s contested nuclear program in exchange for the gradual lifting of international sanctions. Though the eventual deal was touted as historic, some have criticised President Barack Obama and secretary of state John Kerry for striking a deal with Iran while four Americans remained in detention on conspicuous charges. The correspondent’s case came as the US and world powers hammered out a deal in Vienna that would curb Iran’s contested nuclear program in exchange for the gradual lifting of international sanctions. Though the eventual deal was touted as historic, some have criticised President Barack Obama and the secretary of state, John Kerry, for striking a deal with Tehran while four Americans remained in detention or missing in Iran.
Ali Rezaian, the family spokesman who has dedicated the last year to fighting for his brother’s release, said his family followed each twist of the nuclear negotiations in earnest, hoping it would result in Rezaian’s release.Ali Rezaian, the family spokesman who has dedicated the last year to fighting for his brother’s release, said his family followed each twist of the nuclear negotiations in earnest, hoping it would result in Rezaian’s release.
“We had hoped that the United States and other governments could impress on Iran that illegally holding an innocent journalist in their court system would jeopardize the odds of success of a deal and would have consequences for their country,” Ali said during the press conference on Wednesday. “To date, that has not been the case.”“We had hoped that the United States and other governments could impress on Iran that illegally holding an innocent journalist in their court system would jeopardize the odds of success of a deal and would have consequences for their country,” Ali said during the press conference on Wednesday. “To date, that has not been the case.”
Baron said on Wednesday US government never committed to tying the nuclear deal to the detainees’ release, and Ali Rezaian agreed combining the two efforts may have been “problematic”. Baron said on Wednesday that the US government never committed to tying the nuclear deal to the detainees’ release, and Ali Rezaian agreed combining the two efforts might have been “problematic”.
“Nonetheless,” Baron added, “we had hoped that perhaps those two talks might conclude at the same time and that Jason would be released when a nuclear deal was reached but of course that hasn’t happened.”“Nonetheless,” Baron added, “we had hoped that perhaps those two talks might conclude at the same time and that Jason would be released when a nuclear deal was reached but of course that hasn’t happened.”
Kerry said last week that there was “not one meeting that took place” during the recent Iranian nuclear talks at which the US didn’t raise the issue of the four Americans.Kerry said last week that there was “not one meeting that took place” during the recent Iranian nuclear talks at which the US didn’t raise the issue of the four Americans.
Earlier this week Obama promised that his administration would keep pressure on Iran to release Rezaian and two other US citizens currently held there, and directly called on the nation to release the “unjustly detained” Americans, along with a fourth who is missing.Earlier this week Obama promised that his administration would keep pressure on Iran to release Rezaian and two other US citizens currently held there, and directly called on the nation to release the “unjustly detained” Americans, along with a fourth who is missing.
“We are not going to relent until we bring home our Americans who are unjustly detained in Iran,” Obama said in a speech on Tuesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars group.“We are not going to relent until we bring home our Americans who are unjustly detained in Iran,” Obama said in a speech on Tuesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars group.
“Journalist Jason Rezaian should be released. Pastor Saeed Abedini should be released. Amir Hekmati, a former sergeant in the US marine corps, should be released. Iran needs to help us find Robert Levinson,” Obama said.“Journalist Jason Rezaian should be released. Pastor Saeed Abedini should be released. Amir Hekmati, a former sergeant in the US marine corps, should be released. Iran needs to help us find Robert Levinson,” Obama said.
Levinson disappeared on Kish Island, Iran, in 2007, while working as a contract employee for the CIA. Abedini was sentenced to eight years in prison for conducting Bible-study gatherings. Hekmati was given a 15-minute trial on accusations he spied for the CIA before being handed a death sentence, since commuted on appeal to 10 years.Levinson disappeared on Kish Island, Iran, in 2007, while working as a contract employee for the CIA. Abedini was sentenced to eight years in prison for conducting Bible-study gatherings. Hekmati was given a 15-minute trial on accusations he spied for the CIA before being handed a death sentence, since commuted on appeal to 10 years.
Baron said he’s hopeful the petition will help bring about Rezaian’s release. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was established to investigate case of unlawful detentions. The group reports to the UN Human Rights Council and is the only non-treaty-based international mechanism with a mandate to consider individual complaints against states. Baron said he is hopeful the petition will help bring about Rezaian’s release. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was established to investigate case of unlawful detentions. The group reports to the UN Human Rights Council and is the only non-treaty-based international mechanism with a mandate to consider individual complaints against states.
David Bowker, a partner at WilmerHale law firm who is representing the Post, said during the press conference that Iran recognizes the role and legitimacy of the working group and is hopeful the nation will engage with the petition.David Bowker, a partner at WilmerHale law firm who is representing the Post, said during the press conference that Iran recognizes the role and legitimacy of the working group and is hopeful the nation will engage with the petition.
Iran has faced more than 25 petitions in the past decade, and has responded in writing to roughly one-third of them, Bowker said.Iran has faced more than 25 petitions in the past decade, and has responded in writing to roughly one-third of them, Bowker said.
Marking the one-year anniversary of Rezaian’s imprisonment, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton weighed in, calling on Iran to release Rezaian and the other Americans.Marking the one-year anniversary of Rezaian’s imprisonment, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton weighed in, calling on Iran to release Rezaian and the other Americans.
One year ago @jrezaian was arrested in Iran. Let’s continue the fight to bring home Jason & others missing & detained in Iran. #FreeJason -HOne year ago @jrezaian was arrested in Iran. Let’s continue the fight to bring home Jason & others missing & detained in Iran. #FreeJason -H
Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has also called for the release of all detained Americans in Iran. In a letter to Kerry, Rubio called it “unacceptable” that the United States reached an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program “while innocent Americans languish in the most brutal conditions of Iranian jail cells”.Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has also called for the release of all detained Americans in Iran. In a letter to Kerry, Rubio called it “unacceptable” that the United States reached an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program “while innocent Americans languish in the most brutal conditions of Iranian jail cells”.