Brief aan de Zweedse eerste minister: 

Dear members of the Swedish government, 
 

It’s been over seven years since Ahmadreza Djalali has seen his wife and children. We urge you to act to protect Ahmadreza Djalali’s human rights, including his right to life, and to secure his immediate release.

Against this backdrop and the ongoing human rights violations, Sweden should review its strategies and formulate a new plan to bring Ahmadreza Djalali home.  

Sweden’s approach should include investigations against all Iranian officials suspected of criminal responsibility for the crimes under international law and human rights violations committed against Ahmadreza Djalali, including torture and hostage-taking. 

We call on you to urgently adopt policies to ensure that the cases of detained Swedish nationals are promptly examined in accordance with the International Convention Against Taking of Hostages to determine whether the deprivation of liberty constitutes an act of hostage-taking. If so, take all appropriate measures to protect and secure the release of the hostages concerned and to promote pathways to accountability through public statements and also through investigations and, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecution of all those suspected of criminal responsibility. Given that deprivation of liberty could transform into an act of hostage-taking at any stage following the arrest, all such cases must be subjected to regular reviews. 

Yours sincerely,