The situation of Dr Ahmad Reza Djalali

4.7.2018

Question for written answer E-003697-18
to the Council
Rule 130
Hilde Vautmans (ALDE) , Frédérique Ries (ALDE) , Jozo Radoš (ALDE) , Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE) , Urmas Paet (ALDE) , Cecilia Wikström (ALDE) , Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz (ALDE) , Robert Rochefort (ALDE) , Lieve Wierinck (ALDE) , Petras Auštrevičius (ALDE) , Pavel Telička (ALDE) , Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE)

Dr Ahmad Reza Djalali, a medical doctor and lecturer at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and a visiting professor at the Free University of Brussels in Belgium, was arrested in Iran while attending a scientific conference, standing accused of spying for foreign governments.

He was sentenced to death in October 2017, based on evidence gathered using intense pressure, inhuman treatment and, allegedly, even torture.

The Supreme Court of Iran has confirmed the sentence without providing recourse to any review process or an explanation.

The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the UN Human Rights Council has called for Dr Reza Djalali’s immediate release and has documented serious breaches of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

He has access neither to medical care nor to his family and, after 26 months in detention, his health has deteriorated and he has lost almost 30 kg.

1. What have the Council and its members done so far to urge the Iranian authorities to annul Dr Reza Djalali’ sentence and to release him?

2. How will the Council and its members further address the situation in their relations with the Iranian Government?

3. Does the Council have an official stance on this issue and can it elaborate thereon?