Written answers

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 360: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent information on the well-being of a person (details supplied), an Iranian academic, who was arrested in Iran on 9 July 2009; if an indication has been given that they might be accorded their full human rights and entitled under international law; if they have been facilitated by way of appeal against their sentence with a view of determination as to whether the evidence culminating in their sentence met international good practice regarding their right to a defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42996/09]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to him on 16 September and on 20 October, I am aware of this case and we have been following it closely, through our Embassy in Tehran. Following his arrest at his home on 9 July and his subsequent appearance at one of the televised show trials, Dr Kian Tajbakhsh was sentenced on 20 October, reportedly on allegations of espionage and playing a role in the public unrest which followed the disputed June Presidential elections in Iran . Unfortunately, like many of those arrested in the aftermath of the protests, Dr Tajbakhsh's future situation remains uncertain. There is even some confusion about the extent of the accusations against him and indeed the precise length of his sentence. His lawyer was only in a position to confirm that the sentence is in excess of 12 years. However, there are some indications that it may be as lengthy as 14 or 15 years. Dr Tajbakhsh remains in detention in Tehran, as he awaits a date for his Appeal.

His case continues to be dealt with actively by the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran. We understand that he has had limited access to his lawyer and to his family. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, the situation in Iran, post-election, remains tense and complex and the legal system to which Dr Tajbakhsh is now subject is both opaque and slow to proceed. Many hundreds continue to remain in detention in Iran and it is still not clear when, and by what process, these will be properly tried or released.

The US has raised this case directly with the Iranian authorities in the context of the dialogue which began at Geneva on 1 October. It was to be hoped that progress in that wider diplomatic engagement, which Ireland supported, would have had a positive impact on Dr Tajbakhsh's case. However, latest indications are that prospects for an early agreement on the nuclear issue would appear to be receding. It was to be hoped that progress in that wider diplomatic engagement, which Ireland supported, would have had a positive impact on Dr Tajbakhsh's case. However, latest indications are that prospects for an early agreement on the nuclear issue would appear to be receding. Given his dual US nationality, the progress of Dr Tajbakhsh's case seems likely to be caught up in the development of the wider US-Iran relationship for some time to come.

The EU has been vocal in its reaction to the deterioration in human rights generally in Iran since the disputed Presidential elections, with a particular focus on the maltreatment of those in detention and the need for due legal process to prevail. Ireland has strongly associated itself with the expression of these concerns. Senior officials of my Department have met with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland on several occasions since the June elections, to convey my strong concerns on these matters to him.

The Deputy can be assured that we will continue to bring these matters, and the case of detainees such as Dr. Tajbakhsh, to the attention of the Iranian authorities. We will also avail of the opportunity to express our concerns about the marked deterioration of human rights in Iran, both nationally and in an EU and international context, as we did most recently in discussions at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the General Affairs and External Relations Council and the European Council. Ireland has, along with EU Partners, also co-sponsored a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the current UN General Assembly session in New York.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.