CAT/C/36/D/256/2004
Page 2
ANNEX
DECISION OF THE COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE UNDER ARTICLE 22 OF THE
CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR
DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT
Thirty-sixth session
concerning
Communication No. 256/2004
Submitted by:
Mehdi Zare (represented by counsel)
Alleged victim:
The complainant
State party:
Sweden
Date of complaint:
22 September 2004 (initial submission)
The Committee Against Torture, established under article 17 of the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
Meeting on 12 May 2006
Adopts the following:
Decision of the C ommittee against Torture under article 22 of the Convention
1.1 The complainant is Mr. Mehdi Zare, an Iranian national, currently awaiting deportation
from Sweden. He claims that his removal to Iran would constitute a violation by Sweden of
article 3 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment. He is represented by counsel..
1.2 On 23 September 2004, the Committee forwarded the complaint to the State party for
comments and requested, under Rule 108, paragraph 1 of the Committee’s rules of procedure,
not to return the complainant to Iran while his complaint was under consideration by the
Committee. On 21 January 2005, the State party acceded to the complainant’s request.
The facts as submitted by the complainant
2.1 The author was born in Abadan (Southern Iran). He moved to Shiraz because of the
Iran-Iraq war. In 1996, he married the daughter of the chairman of the Imamjome executive
body i.e. Omana, of the city of Faza. An Imamjome is an Isla mic priest with special powers.
2.2 According to the complainant, since 1999, he has been an active member of the
Socialist party of Iran (known as the PSI) and was its representative in Faza. He took part in
different political actions: distributing leaflets and other political material; gathering
information; preparing meetings; and renting appropriate meeting places. His brother-in-law
was an active politician with a leading position in the SPI in Mashad city. The complainant