Letter of American Association of University Professors to the Iranian officials about Esha Momeni

Academic Freedom for Free Society
October 27, 2008


His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
His Excellency Ahyatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie, Ministry of Intelligence, Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Dear Sirs:
We are very concerned about news reported that Esha Momeni, a graduate student at California State University, Northridge, in the United States, was arrested by Iranian security officials on 15 October.
We understand that she has not been charged with any offence and that she is being held in Evin Prison in Tehran. It is our understanding that she was arrested while peaceably working on her graduate thesis, a video project.
We urge that Ms. Momeni be released immediately or charged with an internationally recognized criminal offence and brought to trial promptly, fairly, and with legal representation. While incarcerated, we hope you will ensure that she is well treated and granted access to a lawyer, her family, and medical treatment if needed.
The American Association of University Professors is a nonprofit charitable and educational organization that promotes academic freedom by supporting tenure, academic due process, and standards of quality in higher education. Founded in 1915, the AAUP has approximately 47,000 members at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Sincerely,

Cary Nelson, President, AAUP