Sir, - We, the undersigned, on behalf of many Irish writers and artists, wish to express our deep distress and alarm at the recent "disappearance" and killing of prominent Iranian writers Mohammad Mokhtari, Majid Sharif and Mohammad Ja'far Puyandeh (The Irish Times, December 16th).
We remain deeply concerned for the safety of writers Hushang Golshiri, Kazem Kordavini, `Ali Ashraf Darvishiyan and Mansur Kushan.
We understand that they all had been questioned by the authorities in October 1998 in connection with their desire to establish an independent writers association, Kanun. The killings and "disappearances" of the writers along with the killings of prominent government critics is an alarming trend which the Iranian authorities must take steps to check immediately.
We urge the Iranian authorities to guarantee the safety of Hushang Golshiri, Kazem Kordavani, `Ali Ashraf Darvishiyan and Mansur Kushan.
We request that, as a matter of urgency, the Iranian authorities undertake a full, impartial and independent investigation into the deaths of Mohammad Ja'far Puyandeh, Mohammad Mokhtari and Majid Sharif, and that they make public the results of any such investigation.
We respectfully remind the government of Iran of its commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular Article 3: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person". - Yours, etc., John Banville,
Dermot Bolger,
Philip Casey,
Theo Dorgan,
Hugo Hamilton,
Bernard Maclaverty,
Paula Meehan,
Donal O'Kelly,
Michael O'Loughlin,
Peter Sirr,
c/o The Irish Writers CentreDublin 1.