#Human Rights
Target:
UN, UNHCHR, US State Department, EU, Navi Pillay, Ban Ki-Moon, European Parliament, AI, HRW
Region:
GLOBAL
Website:
www.rahana.org

Nahid Ghadiri is a Baha’i citizen and resident of Mashhad.

She was arrested and transferred to solitary confinement in a prison in Mashhad on March 15th, 2010 where interrogators pressured her to guarantee refraining from all religious propaganda. A month after her arrest, on April 10th, 2010, Ghadiri was finally allowed to meet with her family for twenty minutes.

Ghadiri’s physical condition has deteriorated while incarcerated and she suffers from extreme back pain resulting from of an operation she had prior to her arrest.

Authorities have informed Ghadiri’s family that she is serving a five year sentence on charges of “teaching the Baha’i faith”.

Nahid Ghadiri was charged with “propaganda against the Islamic Republic and acting against the national security of the country through membership in organizations associated with the Baha’i sect”, “holding illegal gatherings” and “publishing and distributing CDs and books related to the Baha’i faith” and sentenced by Mashhad Court to 5 years in prison at Vakil Abad prison. Ghadiri was transferred to Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad on June 28th, 2010 in order to begin serving her prison sentence.

Ghadiri is currently serving her 5 year sentence at Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad. She has endured extreme pressure and been denied basic prisoner rights such as access to fresh air and use of the prison library.

We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Nahid Ghadiri, as she is a prisoner of conscience who has been imprisoned solely for the peaceful practice of her Baha'i religion.

This violates both Iranian law as well as international laws and human rights conventions to which Iran is a signatory state. Therefore, her five year prison sentence must also be overturned, and all charges against her dismissed.

We further demand that the international community bring all possible pressure to bear upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to release all other prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally.

GoPetition respects your privacy.

The Free Nahid Ghadiri, Iranian Baha'i Faith Prisoner of Conscience petition to UN, UNHCHR, US State Department, EU, Navi Pillay, Ban Ki-Moon, European Parliament, AI, HRW was written by John S. Burke and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.