Oslo center:
Press release, Oslo, 19 April 2006
Kjell Magne Bondevik has in a letter appealed to the Iranian government not to go ahead as planned with the execution of a long-time political prisoner. -I am concerned over the situation of the human rights in Iran. We have been witnessing an increased number of executions in the past months and several prisoners are on the death row, Bondevik says.

The former Prime Minister has appealed to the Iranian government not to go ahead as planned with the execution of Valiollah Feyz-Mahdavi, a 28-year-old long-time political prisoner. Bondevik said that he was “deeply concerned” by the high number of executions in Iran and urged Tehran to refrain from executing Feyz-Mahdavi.

Mr. Bondevik also condemned the attack on a peaceful gathering of about 1000 women in Tehran on March 8 to mark the International Women’s Day and called for an inquiry into excessive use of force by the regime’s security forces.

Bondevik expressed deep concern at the overall human rights situation in Iran
He highlighted the case of Fatemeh Haghighat-Pajouh who is once again on death row after originally having her death sentence suspended. Haghighat-Pajouh was sentenced to death for the murder of her husband. She alleged that her husband was a drug addict and had tried to rape her daughter, 15, from a previous marriage, according to Amnesty International.

For more information contact: Øistein Mjærum: (+47)95214841

The Oslo Center, for peace and human rights
Oslo, 5 April 2006
To:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei,

The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran

I would like to express my concerns regarding the situation of the human rights in Iran. We have been witnessing an increased number of executions in the past months and several prisoners are on the death row.

I recognize the rights and responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but strongly oppose the death penalty as the ultimate cruel and inhuman punishment and violation of the right to life.

I like to bring to your attention the violent action taken by Iranian police, Revolutionary Guards and others on 8 March to forcibly disperse about 1,000 women who had gathered peacefully in Tehran to commemorate International Women’s Day. I am calling on the Iranian government to undertake an investigation into this excessive use of force by police and other security forces and to ensure that those responsible for the assaults and violence against demonstrators are brought to justice promptly and fairly.

I will also express my concern that the stay of execution granted to Fatemeh Haghighat-Pajouh has been rescinded after almost 18 months. I ask you to ensure that the victim’s family is made aware of its right, under Islamic law, to pardon the condemned.

I would also like to bring your attention to a 28 years old political prisoner named Valiollah Feiz-Mahdavi who is believed to be at imminent danger of execution in Gohar Dasht prison, in the city of Karaj (west of Tehran). According to reports the prison authorities have informed Valiollah that his execution will be carried out May 16. . I am concerned over reports noting that he was not granted access to a lawyer during his trial and as such his trial did not meet international standards for fair trial, as laid down by Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a State Party.

I am deeply concerned by the high number of executions and urge you to take urgent actions to stop the execution of Mr. Feiz.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik
Former Prime Minister of Norway

Copy to:
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
H.E. Dr. Abdul Reza Faraji Rad
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary