Appeal to save the life of Dr. Mohammed Ali Tahiri

This is an urgent appeal to the President of Iran, Mr. Hassan Rouhani, to the Head of Iranian judiciary, Mr. Sadeq Larijani, and to the international community to pay special attention to Dr. Mohammad Ali Taheri’s legal appeal against his death sentence, decreed by the Iranian Supreme Court.

As of October 14, 2015, Mr. Tahiri has been on a hunger strike for 64 days to protest his unjustified death sentence; his current health situation is critical.

Dr. Mohammad Ali Taheri (born 1956) is not a political leader or engaged in opposition activities. He has legally founded an psychological institute which advocated fostering physical and mental health, based on achieving harmony between the spiritual and material aspects of life.  Mr. Tahiri's teaching and methods (Interuniversalism) became popular among tens of thousands of Iranians. During five years of confinement, he has been accused of apostasy, insult to saints, undermining national security, etc.  Mr. Tahiri's death sentence is based on a law that was adopted 3 years after his first detention in 2010.

All the facts show that these accusations lack any basis. It is especially alarming that after the July nuclear deal, which is expected to open the way to a normal relationship between Iran and the EU, the treatment of supposed adversaries of the existing Government has not become more generous or humane. In fact, the opposite is happening – the number of executions has increased. This dismaying trend can only undermine the beginnings of trust – the only foundation on which mutual cooperation can be built. The international community observes with increasing concern the on-going process of oppression and human rights violations of Iranian citizens that target, in particular, religious and ethnic groups as well as prisoners of conscience.

We, the undersigned members of the European Parliament appeal   to President Rouhani and Mr. Sadeq Larijani to spare the life of Dr. Tahiri, and to release him from politically motivated accusations.  We ask the same for all other people who have been sentenced to death in Iran.

Members of the European Parliament:

Tunne Kelam, Bas Belder, Wim van de Camp, Krisjanis Karins, Sean Kelly, Mairead McGuinness, Miroslav Mikolasik, Christian Preda, Davor Ivo Stier

Brussels, October 15, 2015