By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

WASHINGTON, United States – Ali Ahmad Asseri, a Saudi diplomat is seeking asylum in the United States after disclosing that his life is in danger for being a homosexual and for befriending a Jewish women.  Mr. Asseri reported his fears to U.S. federal officials after being informed that the Saudi government refused to renew his diplomatic passport and had terminated his status as the first Secretary of the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles.  Saudi officials stated that Mr. Asseri’s termination was the result of him being gay and now demand his return to Saudi Arabia.

In an email to NBC, Mr. Asseri expressed his fear of returning to Saudi Arabia stating “[m]y life is in danger here and if I go back to Saudi Arabia, they will kill me openly in broad daylight.” Mr. Asseri was questioned by the Department of Homeland Security after filing his request for asylum, contending that he is a member of a “particular social group” which faces prosecution and possibly death in Saudi Arabia.  It is believed that consulate employees informed Saudi officials that Mr. Asseri was gay after following him to gay bars.  After this discovery, Mr. Asseri was subjected to harassment by consulate officials who also continually monitored his private life. 

In response to his firing, Mr. Asseri posted messages on a Saudi website criticizing the government for its “backwardness” and for “defac[ing] the tolerance of Islam.”  In a warning to Saudi officials, Asseri further commented that he would release politically embarrassing information about the royal family if the government prosecutes him.  

This is not the first time that a Saudi diplomat has sought asylum in the United States.  In 1994, Mohammad al-Khilewi, a representative of Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the United Nations, sought protection in the United States after criticizing his government for human rights violations.  

Although the Obama administration has not made any formal decisions regarding Mr. Asseri’s application, the government has recognized that homosexuals are often punished by death or flogging under Sharia law.  In the latest State Department human rights report, the government acknowledged that the Saudis continue to deny political and religious rights to minorities and enforce the strictest punishments for what it considers sexual misconduct.  The reported describes one instance where two Saudi men were publicly whipped 7000 times for their sexual preferences.   Mr. Asseri fears that he will suffer a similar fate if forced to return to Saudi Arabia.

For more information, please see:

The Australian – Gay Consul Asylum Bid – 13 Sept. 2010

IndyPosted – Gay Saudi Diplomat Seeks Asylum in US – 12 Sept. 2010

Agence France Presse – Saudi Diplomat Seeks US Asylum – 11 Sept. 2010

MSNBC.com – Saudi Diplomat Seeks US Asylum: ‘My Life is in Danger’ – 11 Sept. 2010

By Alyxandra Stanczak
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – An American accused of spying and illegally entering the country last year when she crossed over the Iraq-Iran boundary by accident while hiking with her friends is set to be released on bail. Sarah Shourd, a 32 year old teacher from California, has been detained for thirteen months along with her traveling partners, Joshua Fattal and Shane Bauer. Shourd’s bail has been set at $500,000 and has been offered due to severe health conditions she is suffering. All three hikers are being held at Tehran’s Evin prison.

Shourd’s bail was negotiated through the Swiss embassy, who handle all diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran.

Even though Shourd has been allowed to leave Iran upon setting bail, she is still set to stand trial and is expected to return to the country when the trial occurs.  Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi has told reporters that there is enough evidence to find the three hikers guilty of spying.  The United States has denied these allegations. Jafari-Dolatabadi also stated that there is more than enough reason to accuse the three hikers of espionage.

The judicial branch has almost completed their case against the three hikers and has prepared an indictment.

Iranian political experts have commented on the odd turn this case has taken. Iran’s judiciary is independent and is not as subject to other parts of the oligarchy to political influence. Ghanbar Naderi, an Iranian political analyst, said there is “Obviously there is some kind of miscommunication between these two bodies.” This statement comes in light of the fact that Shourd’s expected release date was pushed back to this coming weekend, instead of the end of Ramadan.

Iran-United States relations have been strained recently because of Iran’s pursuit of uranium enrichment. Though Iran denies the enrichment program is for military use and claims it is simply to provide nuclear energy, the United States is adverse to the entire process. The goodwill shown on Iran’s part by releasing Shourd and possibly, as Naderi speculates, the other two hikers will possibly serve to ease rising political tensions between the two countries.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Iran to release US woman on bail – 12 September 2010

The Guardian – Iran demands $500,000 to free US hiker Sarah Shourd – 12 September 2010

Los Angeles Times – Iran: American hiker Sarah Shourd may be released; bail set – 12 September 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – Prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was detained Thursday by authorities in Iran for allegedly spreading propaganda and conspiring to harm the national security of the country.  Ms. Sotoudeh has represented numerous Iranian opposition activists against the government, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi.  It is believed that Ms. Sotoudeh is currently being held in solitary confinement.

Ms. Sotoudeh has called the charges against her “absurd” and believes that her arrest is a reaction to her legal representation of Iranian activists.  She further stated that her clients will not be prevented from pursing their trials and having a chance to respond to the accusations levied against them.   Ms. Sotoudeh’s husband reported that his wife’s detention is indefinite and that he has been prohibited from visiting or contacting his wife.

Reporters Without Borders denounced Sotoudeh’s arrest noting that “Sotoudeh has for the past year been the spokesperson of victims of injustice, of those the regime is trying to silence.”  The organization further contends that “[b]y arresting lawyers, the regime is trying to gag the last dissenting voices.”  Amnesty International has demanded Ms. Sotoudeh’s release and fears that as a prisoner of conscience she is at risk of being tortured. The government has not yet commented on Ms. Sotoudeh’s detention or responded to claims of mistreatment.

For more information, please see:

Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran – Amnesty International: Demand Release of Human Rights Lawyer – 12 Sept. 2010

BBC News Middle East – Iran Opposition Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Detained – 9 Sept. 2010

Associated Press – Iran Detains Prominent Opposition Lawyer – 8 Sept. 2010

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – RSF Condemns Iranian Lawyer’s Arrest – 8 Sept. 2010

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran – Human Rights Lawyer Summoned: “Drop the Ebadi Case or Face Problems!” – 1 Sept. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain – 23 Shiite Muslims were arrested Monday in Bahrain for an alleged plot to topple the country’s Sunni Muslim monarchy.   The government claims that the individuals are terrorists attempting to execute a foreign-backed coup d’état.   These accusations come as Bahrain prepares for its upcoming parliamentary elections on October 23.  

In anticipation of the October election, the government initiated an intensive security crackdown targeting potential threats to national security.   Bahrain’s Sunni minority maintains power within the country against the backdrop of intense religious and political conflict.  The Sunni monarchy is backed by regional power Saudi Arabia, while predominately Shiite Iran supports Bahrain’s Shiite community.  The religious dynamics in Bahrain remain a constant stressor in social and political relations as each group seeks to solidify their control of the political arena.  Currently, Shiites hold 17 of the 40 parliamentary seats, but Sunnis fear that they could become the political majority after the October election. 

Among the 23 accused Shiites are academics, civil servants and at least eight opposition figures and human rights activists.  The arrests are just the latest in a wider security campaign which has led to the detention of over 250 Shiites.  The detention of Shiites, mostly youths, has fueled social tensions and has spurred riots and street clashes with police.  In response to criticism from numerous human rights organizations, the government articulated its fear that Iran could use members of the Shiite community to operate campaigns of sabotage and espionage during the upcoming elections.

As part of its new domestic security strategy the government also decided to reassert state control over mosques within Bahrain.  Defending this move, Crown Prince Salman said in comments to BNA news agency that “[r]egaining control of the pulpits so they are not hostage to incompetent politicians or clerics who have lost their way…is a starting point for developing a sound religious orientation.”   Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa notes that the mosques would be run so as to promote “the values of tolerance and moderation.”

Gulf Daily News further reports that authorities have been given strict instructions to deprive those attempting to jeopardize the security of the nation of legal rights and services.  Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al-Khalifa stated that “[c]itizens committed to the law and constitution can’t be treated on the same footing with law-breakers seeking to subvert national security and stability.”

Despite extensive criticism from human rights agencies, the business community within Bahrain has come out in staunch support of the government’s tougher security measures.  The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry commended Prime Minister Al-Khalifa and the Crown Prince for disrupting the plot to destabilize Bahrain.  International rights organizations however, fear that future detentions of Shiites may destabilize the country as social pressures between Sunnis and Shiites rise. 

For more information, please see;

Agence France Presse – Bahrain to Reassert State Control Over Mosques – 6 Sept. 2010

Gulf Daily News – Cabinet Praises Swift Arrests of Terror Plotters – 6 Sept. 2010

Los Angeles Times – Bahrain Arrests Dozens of Shiite Muslims Accused of plotting Coup d’etat – 6 Sept. 2010

Telegraph U.K. – Peers Attack Bahrain Over Human Rights – 6 Sept. 2010

Bahrain News Agency – BCCI Backs Measures to Preserver Bahrain’s Security and Stability – 5 Sept. 2010

By Alyxandra Stanczak
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – This past Tuesday, the European Union condemned the stoning of Iranian women for the crime of adultery. The condemnation comes in light of the sentencing of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was convicted of murder and adultery. Ashtiani confessed to both crimes after receiving ninety-nine lashes. She has since recinded her confession and her lawyer is adamant that it was made under duress.

During the holy month of Ramadan, which ends on 1o September, there is a customary stay of any death penalties; during this time, Ashtiani’s lawyer has appealed to Iran’s supreme court and they are reconsidering her case. Though Ashtiani is the center of the international debate on stoning, the punishment she could face is not rare for Iran to implement. Approximately forty-five people have been sentenced to death by stoning since 2003.

The international outcry to this event is overwhelming. France’s foreign minister Bernard Kouchner stated that he would personally fly to Tehran and do whatever it takes to free Ashtiani. Similar sentiments have been expressed by the Vatican, who stated that they would attempt behind-the-scenes diplomacy to save Ashtiani’s life. Brazil has offered Ashtiani political asylum. International human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have also taken a lead roll in advocating on behalf of Ashtiani by placing telephone calls petitioning the government to reconsider their sentence.

In response to European criticism, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Ashtiani faced charges of murder and infidelity and the case shouldn’t be linked to human rights.

Stoning was implemented as a form of punishment after the 1979 Iranian revolution. The current government maintains that the death penalty, which includes hanging and stoning, is essential to maintain public order. According to Amnesty International statistics, ten people were put to death by stoning in 1995, making it one of the worst years in Iran’s history for that form of punishment. For a brief period in 2002, the Iranian judiciary put a moratorium on death by stoning. However, in recent years and despite the international outcry, stoning has been increasing in frequency.

For more information, please see:

The Huffington Post – Iran stoning case: EU condemns ‘barbaric’ plan, Iran scoffs at European concerns – 7 September 2010

Reuters – Iran tells the world: don’t make stoning a rights issue – 7 September 2010

Voice of America – Iran: Stoning case not human rights issue – 7 September 2010

Now Public – Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani Sentenced to Death by Stoning in Iran – 5 July 2010