Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the death of Akbar Mohammadi

Press release 313/2006
24 August, 2006

The European Union is gravely concerned about the situation of the Iranian human rights defenders after the reported death on 31 July of a student activist Mr. Akbar Mohammadi. Allegedly Mr. Mohammadi's death was a result of a hunger strike while in custody in Evin prison serving his fifteen year sentence.

Mr. Mohammadi had been detained since 1999 for his participation in peaceful student demonstrations. Information received implies that the trial of Mr. Mohammadi was characterized by severe deficiencies. There have also been allegations concerning his inappropriate treatment while in custody.

The circumstances concerning the death of Mr. Mohammadi are also unclear. The EU questions whether Mr. Mohammadi was provided with proper medical care while in hunger strike. The EU asks the Iranian authorities to carry out an independent investigation on the death of Mr. Mohammadi.

The EU will monitor closely the situation of Mr. Manoucher Mohammadi, brother of Mr. Akbar Mohammadi, as well as all other detained Iranian student activists.

The EU expresses grave concern regarding the harsh treatment of dissidents, opposition leaders, student activists and all human rights defenders in Iranian prisons.

The EU also calls on the Iranian Government to respect its obligations under all its international commitments.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.