Hossein Rajabian

Hossein Rajabian
Born (1984-07-05) 5 July 1984
Nationality Iran
Education Dramatic literature (Unfinished)
Occupation Filmmaker, writer, photographer

Hossein Rajabian (Persian: حسین رجبیان‎‎; born 5 July 1984) is an Iranian filmmaker, writer and photographer.

Artistic activities

Hossein Rajabian started off his artistic career in a theater school. Later he made his debut in cinema by making and editing short and documentary films.[1][2] His artistic résumé is dotted with different projects ranging from making (feature) films,[3][4] writing a number of screenplays for feature films, essays on cinema, plays, and carrying out artistic-photographical projects and film workshops.[5] He also found his way into the Faculty of Art and Architecture in Tehran and studied dramatic literature, but he never finished his studies there. Later he gained admission to the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna to continue his studies in cinema and theater, but he was captured by security forces and his passport was seized before setting out for Austria and was barred from taking up academic studies at home and abroad.[6] “ People in distance ” is the name of a black and white photography project implemented by Hossein Rajabian.

Apprehension and court case

Hossein Rajabian, an Iranian writer, photographer and independent filmmaker, After finishing his first feature film, was arrested by Iranian security forces on 5 October 2013 outside his office [in Sari] alongside two musicians, and was transferred to Ward 2-A of Evin Prison where all three of them were held in solitary confinement for more than two months and were threatened with televised confessions.[7][8] He was released on bail (around $66,000) in mid-December, pending trial.[9] Two years later, his case was heard at Branch 28 of Tehran Revolutionary Court which was presided over by Judge Moghisseh (Summer 2015). He was sentenced to six years in prison and fines for pursuing illegal cinematic activities, launching propaganda against the establishment and hurling insults at sanctities. On appeal, his sentence was changed to three years imprisonment and three years of suspended jail and Fines.[10][11]

Imprisonment and Hunger Strike

Hossein Rajabian was sent to the ward 7 of Evin Prison in Tehran. After spending one third of his total period of imprisonment (that is 11 months), he went on hunger strike to protest against unjust trial, lack of medical facilities, and transfer of his brother to another ward called section 8 of the same prison. During the first hunger strike period, which lasted 14 days, he was transferred to hospital because of pulmonary infection and he could not continue his hunger strike because of the interference of the representative of the prosecutor who was sent as an intermediary. After some time, he sent an open letter to the judicial authorities of Iran and went again on strike which brought him the supports of international artists.[12][13] After 36 days of hunger strike, he could convince the judicial authorities of Iran to review his case and grant him medical leave for the treatment of his left kidney suffered from infections and blood arising out of hunger strike.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] he, after a contentious struggle with the judicial officer of the prison was sent to the ward 8 for punishment.

Official Reactions of the Senior Officials of the World

After imprisonment of Hossein Rajabian, senior officials of the world started to react officially to this sentence. For instance, Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations, issued a special declaration about the human rights in the world. In the ninth page of the annual declaration, he refers to the conditions of Hossein Rajabian in the Iranian prisons, and asks the Iranian authorities to release this filmmaker unconditionally.[25][26][27][28] UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran Asma Jahangir, in her annual report called for the unconditional release of Hossein Rajabian and other prisoners in Iran.[29][30] It can be referred to the protesting speech delivered by Wilfred Moore, the Canadian Liberal Senator in the senate against the Iranian authorities and in support of Hossein Rajabian.[31] After the imprisonment of Hossein Rajabian, Åse Kleveland who is a Norwegian an artist and political leader declared her support to him, and asked for unconditional release of him and all artists imprisoned throughout the world.[32] Following that, Philip Luther, the head of Amnesty International published an official video talking about Hossein Rajabian and asked all artists of the world to launch a worldwide campaign to support him.[33][34][35] After organizing an international petition by the Amnesty International, Johnny Depp, the American actor, and Peter Gabriel, the well-known musician initiated a campaign with the motto “Art is not a Crime” to protest against censorship and support Hossein Rajabian, Iranian Artist and all other imprisoned artists.  [36]

On the other hand, a petition was signed by more than 12,000 people of different human right activists and artists addressing the Iranian authorities to review the judicial case of Hossein Rajabian and several other prisoners.[37][38][39] Finally, the United Nations Human Rights Committee unanimously passed a resolution against Iranian government for the flagrant violation of human rights as a reaction to the collective hunger strike of Hossein Rajabian and seven other political and ideological prisoners of Evin Prison.[40][41][42][43][44] Following that, the United States Senate extended the sanctions imposed on Iran for the violation of human rights for another ten years.[45][46][47][48][49] The citizens of European countries initiated a supporting campaign and a sit-in in front of the Iranian Embassies in different countries while showing his photos.[50]

Film release in protest

In protest at his sentence and seizure of his film materials, Hossein Rajabian released the medium-quality copy of his film The Upside-down Triangle online.[51]

Media Reaction to court sentence

Hossein Rajabian in prison
A newspaper in Europe carrying the message and image of Iranian filmmaker Hossein Rajabian in prison. (March, 2016)

The news on the imprisonment of Hossein Rajabian, the Iranian artist, had globally great worldwide reflection, and it was covered by many news agencies including Washington Post,[52] Guardian,[53][54] Al-Arabiya,[55] BBC,[56] Le Figaro,[57] CNN,[58] AL JAZEERA[59] etc. The arrest and conviction of Hossein Rajabian was given extensive coverage by media outlets in Iran and other countries.In an exclusive interview, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Said Boumedouha expressed objection to Rajabian's sentence.[60][61] Afterwards, Amnesty International launched a global campaign and petition calling on all artists across the world to sign the petition and join the campaign. More than 20,000 artists from four corners of the world joined the campaign,[62][63][64][65] chief among them [musician-turned-actor] Jared Leto, an Oscar winning actor, and Ai Weiwei, a Chinese Contemporary artist and activist, who released the news on their Twitter pages.[66][67]

Earlier, other institutions such as PEN International, International Campaign for Human Rights [in Iran],[68][69] European Council of Artists (ECA), the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance, Freemuse [Freedom of Musical Expression], etc.[70][71] simultaneously released a statement calling on Iranian authorities to release Rajabian.[72] In another move, as many as 165 individuals involved in media and cinema activities in Iran and foreign countries sent a letter to Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati,[73][74] and UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran Ahmed Shaheed, in his annual report called for the unconditional release of Hossein Rajabian and two other prisoners.[75]

References

  1. ↑ "International Short Film Festival – Clermont-Ferrand". www.clermont-filmfest.com. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  2. ↑ "Hossein Rajabian Iranian Filmmaker & Photographer". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  3. ↑ Hossein Rajabian Iranian Filmmaker & Photographer (26 December 2015), Trailer The Upside down Triangle A Film By Hossein Rajabian آنونس مثلث واژگون فیلم حسین رجبیان, retrieved 2016-04-05
  4. ↑ Hossein Rajabian Iranian Filmmaker & Photographer (23 April 2016), The Upside-down Triangle A Film By Hossein Rajabian نسخه کامل مثلث واژگون فیلمی از حسین رجبیان, retrieved 2016-04-24
  5. ↑ "hossein rajabian". hosseinrajabian.webs.com. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  6. ↑ "Artists Sentenced to Prison". en.iranwire.com. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  7. ↑ "3 Artists Sentenced to Imprisonment and Fine by the Appeal Court of Tehran". Hrana – News Agancy. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  8. ↑ Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (24 March 2016). "Film-maker and two musicians face three years prison in Iran". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  9. ↑ "Call on Iranian authorities to drop charges on two musicians and a filmmaker". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  10. ↑ "Iran: Two musicians and a filmmaker sentenced". Artsfreedom. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  11. ↑ "Artists Sentenced to Prison". en.iranwire.com. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  12. ↑ "Help us step up our efforts to defend freedom of expression. Join Peter Gabriel, Johnny Depp, Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova, Edward Sharpe’s Alex Ebert, Tom Morello, Ana Tijoux. - Voice Project". Voice Project. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  13. ↑ Trigalot, Yoko (2016-11-19). "Johnny Depp, Peter Gabriel : une pause contre la censure". Le Figaro (in French). ISSN 0182-5852. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  14. ↑ "Punishment for Brothers on Hunger Strike". www.journalismisnotacrime.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  15. ↑ "JAILED MUSICIAN AND FILMMAKER ON HUNGER STRIKE: AMNESTY JAPAN". AMNESTY JAPAN. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  16. ↑ "Imprisoned Iranian Musicians on Hunger Strike - Voice Project". Voice Project. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  17. ↑ "Iran: Artists call for support in letter from prison". Freemuse. 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  18. ↑ "Health of Jailed Iranian Brothers Worsens in the Face of Mistreatment and Abuse | PEN America". pen.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  19. ↑ "Document". www.amnesty.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  20. ↑ correspondent, Saeed Kamali Dehghan Iran (2016-12-01). "Iranian musician hospitalised after one-month hunger strike". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  21. ↑ "Urgent Action Update: Gravely Ill Musician Returned To Prison (Iran: UA 41/16) | Amnesty International USA". www.amnestyusa.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  22. ↑ "On Hunger Strike, Imprisoned Music Distributors’ Health Deteriorates". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  23. ↑ "Ailing Music Distributor Refuses Hospital Treatment, Vows to Hunger Strike Until Demands Met". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  24. ↑ "Tricked Into Ending Hunger Strike, Imprisoned Music Distributors Resume Quest for Justice". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  25. ↑ "UN: "Artistic expression is not a crime" – Special Rapporteurs urge the Iranian government to free jailed artists". Freemuse. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  26. ↑ Section, United Nations News Service (2016-05-20). "UN News - UN rights office ‘appalled’ by Iran’s sentencing of anti-death penalty campaigner". UN News Service Section. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  27. ↑ "UN: "Artistic expression is not a crime" – Special Rapporteurs urge the Iranian government to free jailed artists". Freemuse. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  28. ↑ Section, United Nations News Service (2016-06-24). "UN News - Detention, heavy fines for artistic expression in Iran ‘unacceptable,’ say UN rights experts". UN News Service Section. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  29. ↑ "According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of America" (PDF).
  30. ↑ editor-m. "Human Rights Advocates Call Attention to Worsening Crackdown in Iran". Iran news update. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  31. ↑ "Canadian Liberal Senator Defends Rights of Artists in Danger of Imprisonment in Iran". bcrgroup.us. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  32. ↑ "– Jeg har hatt gleden av å se ayatollahene i hvitøyet". www.rb.no (in Norwegian). 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  33. ↑ Trigalot, Yoko (2016-11-19). "Johnny Depp, Peter Gabriel : une pause contre la censure". Le Figaro (in French). ISSN 0182-5852. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  34. ↑ Iranian Filmmaker & Photographer in Jail (2016-12-07), Amnesty Director / mehdi rajabian. hossein rajabian رییس عفو بین الملل / مهدی رجبیان و حسین رجبیان, retrieved 2016-12-11
  35. ↑ "Iran: Musicians and activists launch campaign to free jailed artists". www.amnesty.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  36. ↑ Trigalot, Yoko (2016-11-19). "Johnny Depp, Peter Gabriel : une pause contre la censure". Le Figaro (in French). ISSN 0182-5852. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  37. ↑ "Letter to the Iranian authorities for freedom Hossein Rajabian" (PDF).
  38. ↑ "Prisons and human rights in Iran". Cafebabel. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  39. ↑ "Two Imprisoned Iranian Artists Pen Letter of Protest". Hyperallergic. 2016-11-02. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  40. ↑ Davison, Craig (2016-11-16). "The U.N. adopted a resolution that condemns human rights violations in Iran". The Media Express. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  41. ↑ "85 UN Member States Say Iran Must Improve Its Human Rights". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  42. ↑ Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada. "Canada and international community call on Iran to improve its human rights record". GAC. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  43. ↑ "Third Committee Takes Up 7 Draft Resolutions on Situations in Syria, Iran, Crimea as It Concludes Discussion of Human Rights Council's Report | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  44. ↑ Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada. "Canada and international community call on Iran to improve its human rights record". GAC. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  45. ↑ "Senate votes unanimously to extend Iran sanctions". POLITICO. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  46. ↑ CNN, Ted Barrett. "Senate votes to extend sanctions against Iran". CNN. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  47. ↑ Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada. "Canada and international community call on Iran to improve its human rights record". GAC. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  48. ↑ "85 UN Member States Say Iran Must Improve Its Human Rights". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  49. ↑ "Third Committee Approves 5 Draft Resolutions on Situations in Syria, Iran, Crimea, Introduces 5 Others Concerning Self-Determination, Enhanced Cooperation | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". www.un.org. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  50. ↑ "A jailed Iranian musician texts from his hospital bed: Don’t forget me". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  51. ↑ Hossein Rajabian Iranian Filmmaker & Photographer (23 April 2016), The Upside-down Triangle A Film By Hossein Rajabian نسخه کامل مثلث واژگون فیلمی از حسین رجبیان, retrieved 2016-04-24
  52. ↑ "A jailed Iranian musician texts from his hospital bed: Don’t forget me". Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  53. ↑ correspondent, Saeed Kamali Dehghan Iran (2016-12-01). "Iranian musician hospitalised after one-month hunger strike". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  54. ↑ Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (2016-03-24). "Film-maker and two musicians face three years prison in Iran". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  55. ↑ Iranian Filmmaker & Photographer in Jail (2016-03-06), Hossein Rajabian Filmmaker & Mehdi Rajabian Music...خبر عربی حسین رجبیان فیلمساز و مهدی رجبیان موسیق, retrieved 2017-03-28
  56. ↑ "عفو بین‌الملل به حکم زندان سه هنرمند ایرانی اعتراض کرد". BBC Persian. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  57. ↑ Trigalot, Yoko (2016-11-19). "Johnny Depp, Peter Gabriel : une pause contre la censure". Le Figaro (in French). ISSN 0182-5852. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  58. ↑ "CNN Arabic - العفو الدولية تهاجم "قمع إيران للفن" وتشن حملة على "استهزاء طهران السافر بحقوق حرية التعبير" بعد تعذيب وإدانة فنانين إيرانيين". CNN Arabic (in Arabic). Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  59. ↑ "أمنستي: تعذيب وقمع لفنانين إيرانيين". Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  60. ↑ Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (4 March 2016). "Iran: seven key human rights challenges facing President Rouhani". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  61. ↑ "Iran: Tortured filmmaker and musicians face imminent arrest amid crackdown on artists". www.amnesty.org. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  62. ↑ "Schrijfactie Iran: 6 jaar cel voor filmmaker en muzikanten". Winterswijkse Weekkrant. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  63. ↑ "Iranian musicians, filmmaker at risk of arrest – Amnesty Urgent Actions". ua.amnesty.ch. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  64. ↑ "Haftstrafen bestätigt". Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  65. ↑ "Iran: Filmmaker faces prison after three-minute trial". www.amnesty.org.uk. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  66. ↑ "艾未未 Ai Weiwei (@aiww) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  67. ↑ "jared leto twiitter". twiiter 1 March. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  68. ↑ "Iran: Drop Charges Against Filmmaker and Musicians PEN International". www.pen-international.org. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  69. ↑ "culture action europe". ARJ carries an International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. 1 January 2000. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  70. ↑ "Call on Iranian authorities to drop charges on two musicians and a filmmaker". Artsfreedom. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  71. ↑ "Call on Iranian authorities to drop charges on two musicians and a filmmaker". International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  72. ↑ "Iran: Two musicians and a filmmaker sentenced". Freemuse. Retrieved 2016-04-06.
  73. ↑ "Iran: 165 Iranian artists and activists protest charges against two musicians and a filmmaker". Artsfreedom. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
  74. ↑ "Iran: 165 Iranian artists and activists protest charges against two musicians and a filmmaker". Freemuse. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  75. ↑ "Filmmaker and Musicians Sentenced to Prison in Iran". journalismisnotacrime.com. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
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