Iran’s detention of Belgian aid worker a ‘flagrant violation of international law’: UN rights experts

“We feel Mr Vandecasteele has been arbitrarily deprived of his liberty and is a victim of enforced disappearance for intervals of detention,” the independent UN human legal rights specialists reported in a statement. “His ideal to a fair trial in advance of an impartial and impartial tribunal has been violated. These are flagrant violations of Iran’s obligations underneath international regulation,” they claimed.

Mr. Vandecasteele was arrested on 24 February 2022 by Iranian security agents and held at Evin prison in advance of becoming moved to an unfamiliar spot of detention. He was in Tehran to stop his rental contract and relocate his furniture at the time of his arrest. In their statement, the UN professionals declared that he experienced experienced sick-cure in detention and his well being problem was critical.

The 7 adult men in simple-dresses who arrested him reportedly failed to show an arrest warrant and demonstrate the charges in opposition to him. Mr. Vandecasteele was subjected to various interrogations, but law enforcement authorities failed to deliver him prior to a choose until finally November 2022.

Held in solitary confinement

The UN industry experts explained the Belgian national’s entry to a law firm was denied, that he was not permitted to connect regularly with his loved ones, and that he had minimal obtain to Belgian consular providers. In accordance to the statement, Mr. Vandecasteele was transported blindfolded to Evin prison from his top secret detention centre to meet with consular officers.

Mr. Vandecasteele was held in solitary confinement due to the fact the earliest days of his detention in Evin jail. Immediately after he was moved to an unidentified location in August 2022, he was held in a windowless area positioned in the basement with no furniture. In accordance to reviews been given by the UN specialists, Mr Vandecasteele has misplaced 15 kilos and suffers from severe health issues. In November 2022, 10 months just after he was arrested, Mr Vandecasteele released a two-week starvation strike.

In November 2022, recounted the assertion, Mr. Vandecasteele informed Belgian consular officers that he had appeared ahead of a courtroom with no the knowledge of area Belgian authorities. Iranian legal professionals assigned to Mr Vandecasteele did not talk through the trial, but he was knowledgeable that he experienced been convicted of all rates. On 14 December 2022, Mr. Vandecasteele’s relatives was notified that he had been sentenced to 28 decades of imprisonment.

Mental and actual physical health and fitness worries

In accordance to regional news reviews, Mr. Vandecasteele experienced been sentenced to 40 several years of imprisonment and 74 lashes on charges of espionage against the Islamic Republic, cooperating the United States, forex smuggling, and income laundering.

“We are gravely anxious in excess of the mental and bodily wellbeing of Mr. Vandecasteele and get in touch with on the Iranian authorities to release him and assurance his physical and psychological wellbeing,” the specialists reported.

In October 2022, at minimum 21 overseas and twin nationals had been detained, mainly on espionage expenses. In November, Iran’s judiciary indicated that 40 international nationals had been arrested for their involvement in the protests.

The assertion to release the lots of overseas and twin national citizens who remain arbitrarily detained in Iran, and condems the execution on 14 January of the British Iranian, Alireza Akbari after he was sentenced to loss of life for “corruption on earth and harming the country’s inner and exterior security”.

“Alireza Akbari was reportedly subjected to torture and sick procedure which includes extended solitary confinement and compelled to make bogus confessions,” they reported.