Amnesty International demanded the “urgent” and “unconditioned” release of Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Mohammad Sedigh Kaboudvand who has been in jail in Iran since 2007.

Launching a campaign for freedom of expression, Amnesty International urged Iranian authorities to unconditionally release Kaboudvand whom Amnesty International considers a prisoner of conscience, held solely on account of his peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association during his work as chair of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK) and his activities as a journalist.

Mohammad Sedigh Kaboudvand who is currently serving an eleven year sentence in Iran’s notorious Evin prison was the editor of weekly magazine Payam-e Mardom and the founder of Kurdistan Human Rights Organization (Rêxistina Mafê Mirovan li Kurdistanê) whose broadcasting was ceased in early 2004.

Kaboudvand was taken into custody on 1 July 2007 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in May of 2008 on charges of “acting against national security through HROK,” “widespread propaganda against the system by disseminating news,” “opposing Islamic penal laws by publicizing punishments such as stoning and executions,” and “advocating on behalf of political prisoners”.

Kaboudvand has suffered from a range of medical conditions as a result of his four years of incarceration. In April 2008, he suffered a stroke and was taken to a specialist to receive treatment only for a certain period as the Iranian authorities have ignored several medical reports warning that Kaboudvand will not survive the conditions in the prison. Kebudwend is not allowed for treatment outside despite the deteriorating of his health day by day.

To join the campaign for Kaboudvand, you can visit the page http://www.amnesty.lu/spip/spip.php?article5683