Copenhagen, 11th of July 2002
Dear Sir
The European Council of Artists, gathering artists organisationer from 24 European countries, has been informed about the sentence of journalist and film critic Siamak Pourzand.
ECA would like to express its grave concerns for the health of mr Pourzand, aged 72, and urge you to secure that he is given all necessary medical treatment.
ECA protests against the eleven-year prison sentence handed down to him on 3 May 2002.This his trial has not been conducted in accordance with accepted standards of fairness as guaranteed by the Iranian Constitution and international treaties.
ECA calls for his immediate and unconditional release on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
Yours sincerely
Kjeld Løfting
Secretary General