Youcef Nadarkhani Being Held In Prison In Violation of His Rights

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has now been held in prison without a verdict for over three months. Iranian law guarantees the delivery a verdict within a week after the completion of the trial. It is clear the Iranian judiciary has little regard for their own laws and for human rights in general.

According to an international legal source I am in contact with, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9 stipu­lates: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.” The corresponding provision in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is Article 9, paragraph 1, which stipulates: “Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.” While temporary derogation from this provision is allowed in Article 4 of the ICCPR, such derogation is only possible “in time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation” and “to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation.” Such exigent circumstances are inapplicable to the present case. Moreover, Article 14 guarantees those convicted are “tried without undue delay” before a competent and impartial tribunal.”

Youcef has been tried, but no verdict has been delivered. He is now being held in prison for an arbitrary amount of time for a crime that is no crime under Iranian law. We ask that you continue to pray for Youcef and his family. Please contact the head of Iran’s judiciary, Mr. Sadegh Larijani today and respectfully ask that they deliver a not-guilty verdict and release him immediately. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has set up a website for you to be able to do this quickly and easily. Email Mr. Sadegh Larijani.