13 Jewish Prisoners in Iran
May 25, 2000 — Iyar 20, 5760
Background
The Jewish community of Iran is one of the oldest in the world, going back 2,700 years. In 1979, when the last Shah was overthrown, approximately 100,000 Jews lived in Iran. Today the number is about 25,000. Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, 17 Jews have been executed on various charges, including espionage.
In the spring of 1999, 13 Jews were arrested in Shiraz, Iran, on charges of spying for the “Zionist regime” and “world arrogance” (code words for Israel and the United States). All indications are that the charges are completely baseless, and that the arrests were a result of power struggles between different factions within Iran. Nevertheless, the 13 have been held virtually incommunicado for over a year. Contrary to Iranian law and international agreements, they have been denied the right to choose their own counsel, and statements of court appointed attorneys suggest that the “defense” counsel might as well be working for the prosecution. The prisoners have reportedly confessed their crimes, but these supposed confessions were obtained in secret, a circumstance which strengthens the evidence for the political motivation of the charges. Three of the prisoners have been released on bail, but they, like the ten still in prison, still face the espionage charges, which could bring the death penalty. A rabbi of Iranian origin, now in the United States, was quoted this week by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency as saying, “We have an expression in Persian: Those who are in Iran are like a cooked chicken — they can be eaten very easily … Iran is one big prison, for both Jews and Muslims.”
Current Situation
The trial in Shiraz opened on April 13, but recessed after a short time. On April 18, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights approved a resolution, sponsored by the United States, Canada, and the European Union, expressing concern about the state of human rights in Iran, and alluding to the situation of the accused Jews. Concurrent resolutions on the same subject have been offered in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. For most of the past year, Jewish organizations have counseled relying on quiet diplomacy to help the prisoners. However, since such efforts have failed so far to produce results, more open pressure is now being urged. The trial resumed on May 1. Five of the defendants are said to have confessed their crimes. However, since the “confessions” were obtained in secret, and without the presence of counsel, one may well doubt their authenticity.
Our Appeal
The Greater Cincinnati Board of Rabbis calls upon the government of Iran to release immediately the Jews still in prison and to stop this politically motivated trial.
We call upon the government of the United States, upon the United Nations, and upon all justice-loving forces in the world to intercede on behalf of the 13 accused Iranian Jews, and to secure freedom and justice for them.
We call upon our representatives in Congress to support the concurrent resolutions on the situation of the Iranian Jews, sponsored by Senators Schumer, Feingold, Brownback, Wyden, Dodd and Lieberman and by Representative Gillman.
We join with Jewish people everywhere in offering our prayer for the release of these innocent people.
