May 17, 2019
Amnesty International says a proposed amendment to Iran’s Criminal Code could deny individuals access to a lawyer while they are under investigation and facing serious charges.
The Majlis is expected to vote on the proposed amendment in the coming weeks. If approved by lawmakers, it would be a “crushing blow to Iran’s already deeply defective justice system,” the rights watchdog said in a statement May 16.
The amendment would allow the prosecution to instantly deny individuals access to a lawyer if they are arrested on “national security” charges and other serious criminal accusations.
Initially access would be denied for 20 days, which could then be prolonged to cover the entire investigation.
“This is a regressive piece of draft legislation which would effectively remove the right to a lawyer in a wide range of criminal investigations and contravene Iran’s obligations under international law,” said Philip Luther, research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
The proposed amendment is to replace a provision that took effect last year and requires individuals facing “national security” and certain other charges to choose a lawyer from a list approved by the Judiciary.