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There is no greater mitzvah than Redemption of Captives
Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Hilchot Matanot Ani’im, Chapter 8, Article 10

IRAN UPDATE 8 - January 25, 2000

The thirteen Iranian Jews imprisoned on allegations of espionage have now been in detention for over ten months. In spite of unfavourable reactions from governments worldwide, the efforts of international human rights organizations, and a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the captives have not been released, nor have they been brought to trial. In addition, the details of the charges against them have never been revealed.

The general view is that the detainees, including religious leaders and teachers as well as a boy of only sixteen, are caught in a power struggle between conservative hardliners and the more moderate reformist group centering around President Mohammed Khatami. It is now considered unlikely that there will be further progress until after the elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, set for February 2000.

From time to time Iranian officials have given assurances that a trial was imminent. The head of the Revolutionary Court even hinted that some of the captives might be freed if it were considered to be in Iran's national interests. Such a decision could apparently be made by Iran's Supreme National Security Council and would have nothing to do with the courts.

However, the initial optimism that greeted these remarks has dissipated and the situation remains at a stalemate. Earlier this month, Iranian Information Minister Ali Yunesi again promised a public trial, including press coverage, but reiterated that execution would be carried out if the detainees were found guilty. This statement contradicts Foreign Minister Kamal Khazzari's comments last November that Iran does not carry out capital punishment for crimes committed in peacetime.

Iranian officials are adamant that this case has nothing to do with anti-Jewish sentiment and have linked the arrest of a group of Muslim citizens to the case. However, antisemitic propaganda is still rampant in the mainstream press. A recent attack on the Aga Khani sect by the Tehran Times clearly singled out Jews: “As this sect has originated from Judaism, it resorts to different tricks and ruses employed by the Jews in its [sic] fight against Islam”. This type of atmosphere is not conducive to a fair trial, especially in a case where justice has for so long been denied.

Meanwhile, the captives remain in detention far from the scrutiny of independent observers. The long awaited trial date has still not been set in spite of Minister Yunesi's statement and, more recently, Foreign Minster Khazzari's renewed assurances, this time to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, that the prisoners would receive a fair and open trial, including access to visitors and legal representation.

	The B'nai Brith Canada Institute for International Affairs has a mandate to protest the abuse of human rights throughout the world and advocate on behalf of worldwide Jewish communities in distress. The Institute has a special focus on pro-Israel advocacy and education.
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