WMA urges immediate release of jailed iranian cleric

WMA(15.01.2015) The World Medical Association has written to Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, to urge for the immediate release of the jailed Iranian cleric Sayed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi, who is serving an 11 year prison sentence.

WMA President Dr. Xavier Deau said that Kazemeyni Boroujerdi was in urgent need of medical treatment and should be released as a prisoner of conscience.

In his letter, Dr. Deau writes: ‘According to Amnesty International and the Boroujerdi Civil Rights Group, Mr. Kazemeini Boroujerdi suffers from a number of illnesses, including diabetes, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, kidney and heart problems and severe pain in his legs and waist. He has also reportedly gone partly blind in one of his eyes. His health conditions have apparently worsened and he collapses frequently.

‘Amnesty International considers that he is a prisoner of conscience, for advocating the separation of religion and state. He has been under increased pressure to write and sign “confessions” which he refused.

‘We are extremely concerned by this situation that reveal flagrant violations of medical ethics principles and human rights standards. The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a fundamental element of human rights enshrined in article 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights that the Islamic Republic of Iran has ratified in 1976.

‘We are calling, through you, on the Iranian authorities to ensure as a matter of urgency that Mr. Kazemeini Boroujerdi is protected from torture and other ill-treatment, further that he is granted any medical attention he may require, outside the prison if necessary, as recommended by the prison clinic. Furthermore, being a prisoner of conscience, we respectfully submit to release him immediately and unconditionally.