Concerns raised following journalist's death in Iran

Iran has been urged to address humanitarian issues, after the UN voiced its "profound concerns" over the case of a journalist who died in Iran after reportedly being beaten.

Three UN human rights specialists have called on the government to comply with humanitarian norms, warning that failure to ensure due process set the ground for similar abuses in the future.

The acquittal of an Iranian intelligence officer last week after a two-day trial for the alleged killing of journalist Zahra Kazemi left “unanswered questions”, according to a joint statement issued by Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression Ambeyi Ligabo, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Leandro Despouy, and Special Rapporteur on torture Theo van Boven.

Ms Kazemi was arrested on June 23 2003, while working as a journalist outside Evin prison in Tehran. She was reportedly beaten and subjected to other forms of ill-treatment in detention, and died of her injuries 17 days later.

Many reports indicate that the trial proceedings did not meet international standards of fairness as key evidence that might have incriminated judiciary officials, the prosecutor's office and the intelligence ministry was ignored by the court, the UN statement said.

The world body also voiced concern that journalists and other foreign observers were barred from full access to the courtroom after the start of the trial.

The UN has called on authorities to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by the Iran.

(gmcg)