Additionally, the WGAD “has repeatedly found a practice in the Islamic Republic of Iran of
targeting foreign nationals for detention.”13 Despite the Working Group opinions concluding that
their detention is arbitrary, foreign and dual nationals Mr. Siamak Namazi14 and Mr. Mohammad
Bager Namazi15 (Opinion no. 49/2017) remain in detention as of March 2021. Ms. Nazanin
Zaghari-Ratcliffe16 (Opinion no. 28/2016) was released at the end of her detention sentence but
currently faces new charges.17 Mr. Ahmad Reza Djalali whose detention was found arbitrary by
the WGAD in 2017,18 faces imminent execution.19 Mr. Robert Levinson, whose detention was
found arbitrary by the Working Group in 2016,20 reportedly died in Iranian custody.21 Other
foreign and dual nationals remain in detention in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including Mr.
Morad Tahbaz22 and Mr. Kamran Ghaderi.23
Recommendation Status:
This recommendation has NOT been implemented.
13
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Opinion No. 52/2018, para 82.
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/2157/
15
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/2400/
16
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/2481/
17
The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/mar/07/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-reportedly-freed-but-may-face-newcharges
18
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Opinion no. 92/2017,
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Detention/Pages/Opinions80thSession.aspx
19
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/3126/
20
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Opinion no. 50/2016,
https://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/WGAD/2016/50
21
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/3488/
22
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/4043/
23
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/2894/
14
2