BACKGROUND INFORMATION Torture has been used systematically in Iran for many years to extract information and confessions. It is used as a matter of routine in many Iranian prisons and detention centres. For example, Ashkan Panjeheighaleghi, an Iranian refugee, was refused asylum by Denmark in 1999 and forcibly returned to Iran, where he was immediately arrested as he had feared. He was imprisoned for two years and subjected to extensive torture. He later managed to flee Iran, returning to Denmark in 2003, where he was finally granted a residency permit. During his detention and torture he was interrogated regarding his own actions and those of his other relatives who had fled to Denmark. In November 2004, an Iranian refugee at risk of deportation from his host country submitted a complaint to the United Nations Committee against Torture claiming that he was at risk of being tortured if he was returned to Iran. The Committee concluded that "substantial grounds exist for believing that the complainant may risk being subjected to torture if returned to Iran" and that his deportation would amount to a breach of Article 3 of the CAT.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, French, Flemish or your own language: - expressing concern that the Belgian authorities are preparing to forcibly return twelve individuals to Iran, where they would be at risk of torture and/or arrest and unfair trial on the basis of their activities abroad; - reminding the authorities that forcibly returning anyone to a country where they would be at risk of torture is absolutely prohibited under international law, and that the forcible return of these twelve individuals to Iran would violate Belgium’s obligations under the CAT, amongst others.
APPEALS TO: Patrick Dewael Minister of the Interior Cabinet du Ministre de l'Intérieur 2, rue de la Loi 1000 Bruxelles Belgium Fax: + 32 2 504 85 00 Email: patrick.dewael@ibz.fgov.be Salutation: Dear Minister Karel de Gucht Minister of Foreign Affairs Rue des Petits Carmes 15 B-1000 Bruxelles Belgium Fax: + 32 2 513 25 97 Email: karel.degucht@diplobel.fed.be Salutation: Dear Minister COPIES TO: Freddy Roosemont, Director L'Office des étrangers World Trade Center, tour II Chaussée d'Anvers 59B 1000 Bruxelles Belgium Fax: + 32 2 274 66 90 Email: F.Roosemont@ibz.fgov.be Salutation: Dear Mr Roosemont COPIES TO: Diplomatic representatives of Belgium accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. ******** Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 0DW, London, United Kingdom
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