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Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari is a researcher, journalist, cleric, director of the Ali Shariati Research Center, and contributing editor of the now-banned newspaper Iran-e Farda (The Iran of Tomorrow). Eshkevari trained as a clergyman in the religious and cultural center of Qom and has devoted much of his life to study and writing. He has published extensively in scientific, religious and intellectual journals, and has been an acclaimed contributor to the Great Encyclopedia of Islam and editor of the Encyclopedia of Shi-a. He has translated several books, and his own publications include A Hundred Years of Iranian History 1879-1979 (Qom 1974), Justice in the Monotheistic Worldview (Qom 1975), Broken Idols: An Analysis of the Foundations of Twentieth Century Civilization (Qom 1977), A Review of the Study of Creation: Issues in Islamic Anthropology (Tehran 1997), Religious Revivalism: Analysis and Criticism of the Contemporary Islamic Movement: Interviews with ten political-cultural figures (Tehran, first edition 1998, second edition 1999), Wisdom in the Feast of Religion (Tehran 2000), and In memory of the Days: Political Approaches of the Reformist Movement in Iran (Tehran 2000).
Case history:
Eshkevari was arrested on August 5, 2000 in connection with his
participation at an academic and cultural conference held at the
Heinrich Böll Institute in Berlin on April 7-9 entitled "Iran after
the elections," at which political and social reform in Iran were
publicly debated. He reportedly learned that a warrant had been issued
for his arrest shortly after the conference, but had gone to France to
receive medical treatment before returning to Iran.
Eshkevari's trial began behind closed doors on October 7, 2000 in the Special Court for the Clergy. He is believed to have been charged with "acting against national security" in connection with a speech he gave at the conference, and also with "defaming government officials in articles," "starting a campaign against the system," and "denying and insulting the holy religion of Islam." He was also reportedly charged with "declaring war on God," "being corrupt on earth," and apostasy, three charges which carry the death penalty. His trial ended on October 17, 2000 and he was reportedly convicted, but information was not made immediately public about the sentence was passed on him. In early March of 2003, an appeals court upheld a seven-year sentence against him. Mr. Eshkevari was given four years for his comments about veils, one year for attending the conference and two years for speaking against the Islamic Republic.
Current status:
Eshkevari was allegedly transferred from Evin Prison to another
detention center on or around April 12, 2001. The court said he would
be moved back to Evin Prison in mid-July 2001. On July 10, 2001, after
80 days of being held incommunicado, he was allowed to meet with his
family. There are also reports that he was allowed to spend two days
with his family in early December 2001. Serious concerns for his health
and safety remain, as he is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and there are
unconfirmed reports that he has been unable to obtain insulin in custody.
Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari is also an Honorary Member of the
Canadian, Danish, English, and Ghanaian PEN Centers.
PEN considers Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari to be detained
solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression
as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, and is calling for his
immediate and unconditional release.