Three Organizations File Complaint to the UN 'On Behalf of the Family' of Tomaj Salehi: The Islamic Republic is Not Complying with Its Obligations

Three human rights organizations announced on Wednesday that they have jointly submitted a complaint to the 'UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention' on behalf of the family of Tomaj Salehi regarding his continued detention and mistreatment by the Islamic Republic authorities. 'Censorship Index,' which states that it prepared this complaint along with 'Doughty Street Chambers' and 'Human Rights Foundation,' described the content of the complaint as 'the Iranian government's failure to comply with its international legal obligations' in dealing with Tomaj Salehi. Another section of the complaint states: The Iranian government often uses arbitrary detention, torture, and execution to silence dissenters. This past Saturday, Amnesty International criticized the 'arbitrary detention' of Tomaj Salehi due to his peaceful human rights activities and the new charges brought against him, once again calling for his 'immediate and unconditional release.' This international organization attributed Tomaj Salehi's 'arbitrary detention' in Isfahan Central Prison to his peaceful activities, including participation in the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests and posting critical remarks against Iranian officials on social media. On July 19, in an open letter addressed to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the Iranian judiciary, Amnesty International criticized the 'new fabricated charges' against Tomaj Salehi for his peaceful exercise of human rights, including the right to freedom of expression in music and the right to peaceful assembly, and called for 'the dismissal of all charges.' A page attributed to Tomaj Salehi on the social media platform 'X' reported the formation of a new case against this imprisoned rapper with charges of 'insulting the sacred,' 'inciting violence and murder,' 'propaganda against the regime,' and 'spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion.' Amnesty International concluded that all of Tomaj Salehi's trials have been 'severely unfair' based on a review of his arrests, assaults, legal cases, charges, restrictions, and pressures. In its open letter, this human rights organization emphasized the necessity of providing necessary medical care to Tomaj Salehi, ensuring regular visits with his family and lawyers, and protecting him from torture and other mistreatment. This international body called for an effective, impartial, and prompt investigation into Tomaj Salehi's allegations of torture and holding accountable those suspected of committing these acts in fair courts. Amnesty International also demanded independent observers' access to the judicial processes leading to death sentences for protesters and the abolition of this punishment in Iran under the Islamic Republic's rule. Previously, Yi Wan Ri, Tomaj Salehi's political advisor, described the new charges against this protesting singer as a sign of the 'Iranian regime's fear' of Tomaj and the Iranian people and announced the continuation of the struggle for Tomaj's freedom. Tomaj Salehi was arrested on October 30, 2022, during the nationwide 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests and was sent to prison. He was released on bail a year later but was arrested again after 12 days in December 2023. The first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan tried this protesting singer on April 19 of this year on charges of 'conspiracy and collusion, and complicity in rebellion' and sentenced him to death. This verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. Abram Pili, the Deputy Special Representative of the U.S. Department of State for Iran, described this action as the Islamic Republic's 'pretense of flexibility' aimed at 'misleading the world' and a judicial tactic of the 'Iranian regime' to 'silence dissenters.' The song 'Typhus' exemplifies the 'new case-making' against Tomaj Salehi; the four charges include 'insulting the sacred.' Vafa Ahmadpour, a jailed protesting rapper, defended himself against political charges. 'Cutting off Tomaj Salehi's phone calls' in Dastgerd prison and warnings about 'new case-making.'