Iran Solidarity

Islamic regime starts 2012 by executing 3 people per day

2012-01-12T16:04:00.000Z

xpressing concern is not enough; please take action!

Mina Ahadi’s open letter to Catherine Ashton, EU Foreign Affairs Chief

Critics of Islam, political activists and others are executed daily in Iran; in the first few days of 2012 the Islamic regime of Iran has ‘upgraded’ its body count to three per day. It is not enough to issue letters of protest. This regime must be diplomatically isolated internationally. Its representatives must be expelled from international assemblies. Its embassies must be shut down.

*****

On 11 January 2012 two youth were executed in Evin prison. One of them was identified as ‘Fazlollah’ for the crime described as rape; the other’s name was given as ‘Jalal’ and his crime was described as follows by the Islamic regime: “Jalal intended to marry a girl called Fariba, but he subsequently raped her, and because of this, Fariba committed suicide”. Today, Evin prison witnessed the execution of these two individuals. Of course, everybody knows that the Islamic regime’s courts are medieval and executions are political.

In order to subjugate people on the eve of every so-called election and in anticipation of any internal political tension, the Islamic regime cruelly sacrifices a number of individuals, hoping that this will silence everyone else.

The year 2012 began with more bloodletting because the Islamic regime is more beleaguered than ever and fears the people more than ever. Of course, the execution of these two youths in Evin prison on 11 January 2012 was not the first execution in Evin this year. In the first few days of the year, 22 people had secretly been executed there.

Together with the report of the two executions in Evin, we have received news that the Judiciary has condemned two Iranian-Afghan citizens to death in one of its courts of injustice. The execution of Iranian-Afghans and brutality towards them already figure prominently in the Islamic regime’s catalogue of crimes, and hundreds of Afghans have been secretly executed in Iran.

Of course, the execution of political activists is still on the Islamic regime’s agenda. Among the reports of the latest executions in Iran there is news of the plot against three Kurdish political activists who may well be condemned to death. Changiz Qadam Kheir, Shurosh Rezai and Fardin Farji, who were arrested in 2011 were framed and could now face death sentences. These three individuals, for your information, were forced with torture and intimidation to confess on Press TV. Press TV is the Islamic Republic’s television station based in London. It has been involved in obtaining forced confessions from others including the Iran stoning case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. It broadcast a programme featuring Sakineh and her son, promising them their freedom after incriminating themselves in this fabricated documentary. This television channel is an arm of the Islamic Republic’s intelligence apparatus and some of its journalists are professional interrogators of the Islamic regime.

Moreover, there are currently five people being investigated by the Islamic regime’s courts in a case known as ‘Heretics 3’; so far, two of them have been condemned to death. Vahid Asghari, aged 25, was condemned to death for maintaining a website against religion and Islam. Ahmadreza Hashempur was condemned to death for keeping an anti-religious and, according to the regime, “obscene” website. He is 40 years old and holds a doctorate. The death sentence was confirmed on appeal by the regime’s Supreme Court on 11 January 2012.

The Islamic regime has declared that these individuals’ websites were “obscene and anti-religious”. Saeid Malekpour, an Iranian-Canadian citizen, was condemned to death earlier for the same crime, and his case is currently before the regime’s Supreme Court. Clearly, criticism of religion and Islam or maintaining a website can lead people to the gallows in Iran. Of course, according to Iranian law apostasy is punishable by death.

Ms Ashton!

I would like to inform you that Zaniar Moradi, a 21 year old youth who could be executed at any time, managed to send messages outside the prison pleading with the people of the world not to allow him to be killed. Please imagine how it might feel to be a 21-year-old boy who has spent the past two years in prison enduring the tortures and barbaric behaviour of a handful of murderers, and who, together with his cousin, could be executed at any moment. Zaniar is waiting for the world to protest against these crimes and atrocities. In a letter, Zaniar has described the torture methods and rape threats that have been used against him by the regime’s interrogators, and now at any time he could be executed in public along with his cousin, Loqman Moradi, aged 25. These two prisoners’ relatives have implored the people of the world to help to save their boys.

Another such case is the Islamic regime’s flagrant plot against Amir Mirzai Hekmati, an Iranian-American who is in imminent danger of having his death sentence carried out. Amir Mirzai Hekmati, an American of Iranian ancestry, was sentenced to death for ‘corruption on Earth’. His family says that this 25-year-old, who was born in America, had gone to Iran to visit his grandmother and is now in danger of execution. Apparently he too, like other prisoners, was tortured and forced to confess on television, similarly to Sakineh.

Please note the following execution statistics.

While in 2011 two people were executed per day, the regime has begun the year 2012 by executing three people per day. In the past ten days, reports regarding Iranian prisons have been as follows:

During the first days of 2012, Salah Rashidiyyeh was executed in Zanjan prison.

On Tuesday, 3 January, two people were executed in Arak prison.

On Wednesday, 4 January, five people were executed in Zanjan central prison. Their names were not revealed but their crimes were claimed to be drug-related.

On Wednesday, 4 January, one person was executed in Semnan prison.

On Thursday, 5 January, a 53-year-old prisoner named Nazar Ali Moradi was executed in Khorin prison, Varamin, for possession of 215 grammes of heroin and a kilogramme of opium.

At the same time, eight other people were executed in various Iranian prisons. Three were executed in public in Kermanshah. It was announced that these three, identified as Alireza Ahmadi, son of Khodadad, aged 48, Sadeq Eskandari, son of Vali, aged 33, and Sasan Basami, son of Jahangir, aged 36, had been condemned to death for “armed robbery of the Sepah Bank in Kermanshah” last August. The other five were hanged in the prisons of Kerman and Bam.

On Saturday, 7 January, one person was publicly executed in a village near Gachsaran.

On Wednesday, 11 January, two people were executed in Evin prison.

The real number of executions is greater, since some are carried out secretly. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has recently published information about the secret execution of hundreds of people in Vakil Abad prison, Mashhad, and revealed the names of 101 of them. These executions were collective, and the condemned were prevented from bidding their loved ones farewell. Only hours before their executions, they were instructed to write their wills and perform ritual ablutions. Their death certificates, with cause of death being ‘judicial killing’ were issued at times a day before their executions. This is the Islamic regime of Iran!

Last year, Amnesty International confirmed the execution of 252 people in Iran during the year 2011, and announced an additional 300 instances of secret execution on the basis of reliable reports.

Ms Ashton!

We agree that we are dealing with a regime which perpetrates crimes and atrocities and whose behaviour does not change even in response to letters of protest such as your own. This has been going on for many years.

The International Committee Against Execution is asking you to support a policy of isolating this regime, to initiate serious actions including the closure of the regime’s embassies in European countries to protest the executions of hundreds of Iranian dissidents, to give succour to those condemned to die and to the victims of the regime’s brutality, and to show that you are truly concerned with saving the lives of Zaniar and the critics of Islam and likewise with defending freedom of speech and the human dignity of individuals. We are asking you to show that your actions are not limited to sending the occasional letter of protest without great practical effect.

Respectfully,

Mina Ahadi

Spokesperson

International Committee Against Execution

International Committee against Stoning

11 January 2012

Tel: +49 177 569 2413.

Email: minaahadi@aol.com.

http://notonemoreexecution.org

http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/

Protest notes - THANK YOU and keep sending!

2011-12-31T18:44:00.000Z

Thanks to all of you you have called, faxed and emailed the Islamic regime's embassies and the regime in Tehran to protest at Sakineh's execution sentence and demanded her freedom. Keep it coming! It's important we keep up the pressure.

There is no misunderstanding!

2011-12-31T18:34:00.000Z

Malek Ajdar Sharifi, the justice chief for East Azarbaijan province, who had talked on Sunday, 25 December about Sakineh Ashtiani and her death sentence to Iranian media, now says that he has been ‘misquoted’.

"In recent days, reports quoting me on the case, especially... on the method of carrying out the sentence against Sakineh Ashtiani were published in abbreviated form and with an incorrect interpretation," he told Iranian media on Wednesday, 28 December.

Well, we are quite familiar by now with how quickly after an international outcry the Islamic regime’s authorities always fall back on ‘not having said this or that’, ‘misquotation’ and ‘wrong information’ in an attempt to deflect attention and outrage.

The facts I think speak for themselves.

Sakineh Ashtiani is still in prison awaiting her execution.

Houtan Kian, her lawyer, is still in prison.

Neither has committed a crime.

So unless Sakineh and Houtan are out of prison, safe and secure, we haven’t understood anything wrong.

As long as Sakineh is imprisoned by the Islamic regime, she could be executed at any moment.

2011-12-31T18:15:00.000Z

There is no doubt about this!

Sakineh and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, must be released immediately.

Two days after Malek Azhdar Sharifi, head of the East Azerbayjan branch of the regime’s judicial system, spoke of the possible execution of Sakineh, because of international pressure and the swift appearance of this news in the international media, he corrected his statements and said they had been misrepresented. Nevertheless, according to information received by the International Committee Against Stoning, even Sakineh herself was informed in prison of the possibility of her execution.

Despite the Christmas and New Year holidays, the news of Sakineh's possible execution has appeared in many news outlets including CNN, BBC, Al-Arabiyyah, Der Spiegel, and the Italian press as well as many others. The authorities of several governments including those of Germany and France have protested to Iran, demanding Sakineh's release. In Italy, the mayors of Rome, Florence and a number of other cities have announced that they will rise in defence of Sakineh in collaboration with the International Committee Against Stoning. These protests were covered extensively by the Italian media. Other efforts are also under way in more countries. Human-rights officials in the Brazilian government have contacted the International Committee Against Stoning in order to organise protests against the Islamic Republic after gathering additional information. The authorities of the Islamic Republic have realised that Sakineh has not been forgotten and that killing her will have a high political cost for the villainous Islamic regime.

According to other reports, Houtan Kian, condemned to six years in prison and currently incarcerated in a prison ward reserved for methadone users, has no opportunity to contact anyone outside the jail and is denied family visits. We must also not abandon him.

The Islamic Republic is clearly a murderous regime, and while Sakineh remains its prisoner, she could be executed at any moment. However, with the help of people around the world, Sakineh and Houtan can be delivered from the hands of these Islamic torturers and murderers.

The International Committee Against Stoning asks the noble people of the world, as well as the press, governments and human-rights organisations, to exert pressure in any way they can in pursuit of Sakineh and Houtan's release by the Islamic Republic.

International Committee Against Stoning.
28 December 2011.

Mina Ahadi
International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
Email: minaahadi@aol.com
Tel: 0049 (0) 1775692413
http://notonemoreexecution.org
http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress

Notes from Iran #3: Shoe thrower Rashid S. is likely to face execution

2011-12-29T18:03:00.001Z

Two weeks ago we wrote about Rashid S. who had thrown his shoe at Ahmadinejad in an act of civil disobedience and disgust over his unemployment and the fact that he had not been paid by his employer for the last year he had been working. According to news reports, Rashid Shahbandi had been arrested, has been tortured and is very likely facing execution.

There is no doubt that he will not get a fair trial, if he gets one at all. It will probably be one of those show trials the Islamic regime likes to put on, thinking that there are actually people out there believing that ‘justice’ is being done… when all that is happening is that the Islamic regime is trying to keep its power by spreading and inflicting more violence and more terror.

Throwing your shoe at a leader of a dictatorial regime is nothing but couragous. We can only imagine under what pressure people like Mr Shahbandi must live to lose their fear of confronting their oppressor. No doubt the regime will try to hand down a heavy sentence to deter others from showing and voicing their anger. But it is too late for that. It was too late for that a long time ago.

What you can do for Sakineh

2011-12-27T13:29:00.000Z

The Islamic regime of Iran is talking about changing Sakineh's sentence of stoning to hanging and to execute her once they get the go-ahead from the Ministry of Justice.

You can do something!

It is important that we let the Iranian regime know that the world stands in support of Sakineh. It is important that as many people as possible let the Islamic regime know that we are outraged at Sakineh's execution sentence. Tell them that we want her freed NOW! The worldwide outrage and protest is what kept Sakineh alive. It is vital that we continue our protest. Flood the embassies and the Islamic regime's offices with protest letters, emails, faxes and calls.

At the top of our blog you find the contact list for the embassies of the Islamic Republic across the world. Email, fax and call them. You can organise a protest outside the IRI embassy in your country. It's very effective! Invite your friends, publish it on social media site and invite the media.

List of IRI embassies around the world

We have also the list with contact details for various government offices of the Islamic regime. Again, call, fax and email them.

List of IRI government offices in Iran

If you have any questions, need help with something or you are planning a protest, please get in touch!
iransolidaritynow (at) gmail (dot) com

minaahadi (at) aol (dot) com

Stand up to help save Sakineh’s life

2011-12-26T23:37:00.000Z

International Committee against Stoning

Press Release 26 December 2011

The Islamic Republic of Iran is considering Sakineh Mohamadi Ashtiani’s execution

This is an attempt to gauge the international response

Malek Ajdar Sharifi, the head of East Azerbaijan province’s justice department, has announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran is considering changing Sakineh Mohamadi Ashtiani’s stoning sentence to execution by hanging and said that they are waiting for the go-ahead from the Ministry of Justice to execute Sakineh.

Clearly, the regime has been unable to stone Sakineh to death because of the global outrage. The regime arrested her lawyer and son and forced her and her son to ‘confess’ on Press TV and incriminate themselves. They have been barred from contacting international institutions.

By planning to execute Sakineh, the Islamic regime is trying to show the world that despite public outrage, it will continue its execution machinery in order to ensure its survival.

The International Committee against Stoning declares:

This is a shameless attempt by the regime and its criminal judicial system to test the reaction of world public opinion in order to create the groundwork for Sakineh’s murder.

Sakineh’s image has become a global symbol against stoning and Sharia laws. The world has risen up in defence of Sakineh and declared it would not ever allow sadists and murderers to stone women and men to death again. By executing Sakineh, the Islamic regime wants to destroy all efforts in her support.

Every year during the New Year period the Islamic regime tries to kill-off well-known cases. Last year it executed Shahla Jahed and this year they are trying to murder Sakineh.

The International Committee against Stoning will not allow Sakineh to be executed. All people and organisations that have stood up before to save Sakineh from death by stoning must once again stand up to help save Sakineh’s life.

International Committee against Stoning

International Committee against Execution

For more information, contact:

Mina Ahadi

International Committee against Execution

International Committee against Stoning

Email: minaahadi@aol.com

Tel: 0049 (0) 1775692413

http://notonemoreexecution.org

http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/

Sakineh Ashtiani to be hanged or stoned to death

2011-12-25T23:01:00.000Z

Today the Islamic regime of Iran announced that their 'experts' are studying whether they can hang Sakineh Ashtiani instead of stoning her to death. There is no doubt that this comes in an attempt by the Islamic regime to affirm their 'authority' in the face of worldwide protests and recent tit for tats with the West while at the same time finding a more 'acceptable' solution for murdering her. Possibly a solution that would face less resistance by the world? Does the Islamic regime think that hanging Sakineh Ashtiani would be somehow more acceptable to the world that cried out in protest at her stoning sentence???? NO it wouldn't!

ISNA news agency reported today that Malek Ajdar Sharifi, the head of the East Azerbaijan province justice department, where Ashtiani is jailed said that "As soon as the result (of the investigation) is obtained, we will carry out the sentence."

The Islamic regime is trying to murder yet another innocent woman.
There is only one solution.
Sakineh Ashitiani must be freed immediately!

Notes from Iran #2: Hail the shoe thrower Rashid S.

2011-12-14T14:49:00.000Z

Rashid S., a recently sacked textile worker in his 40s, threw his shoe at Ahmadinejad at a meeting in the northern province of Mazandaran on Tuesday, 13 December. Rashid S. was protesting the fact that he had been sacked, but more importantly that he had not been paid for the last year of working in the factory.

This is of course is common practice in Iran. There are thousands upon thousands of workers in Iran who do their daily work without being paid for it by the state or private owners for months on end.

You might ask why they keep working? They hope they will get paid in the future as promised by their bosses and more importantly, there is no other work around, neither is there unemployment benefit. That of course under a regime that made 40 billion US Dollars between March and August this year alone from oil exports. The same regime whose members are transferring their 'accumulated' monies abroad, especially through their family members. High on the list are investments like the purchase of expensive properties (they can afford it of course) which guarantees few questions and a preferential residential status by the host country; the higher the investment the warmer the welcome. And with all the riches that are to be made exploiting Iran's natural resources and the labour force, a warm welcome they get.

Rashid S. missed. He was thrown to the floor and beaten up. It is unclear whether he was arrested and taken away. His act of civil outrage is to be applauded.

1 gone - 96 to go!

2011-12-02T23:14:00.000Z

Wednesday, 30 November saw the closure of the Islamic regime of Iran's embassy in London on the orders of the foreign secretary William Hague. This came in response to the attacks on the British embassy in Tehran by members of the government-backed Basij militia that happened on Tuesday, 29 November. We are now seeing the last of the Iranian diplomats leave the UK.

Iran Solidarity welcomes the closure of the embassy in London.
And we are actively supporting the closure of ALL the Islamic regime's embassies around the world. We counted 97, so 96 to go!

We have long been calling for the diplomatic isolation of the Iranian regime and the closure of ALL of its embassies are part of this. Diplomatic and political isolation of the regime are the cornerstones of support for the Iranian people's struggle to get rid of the Islamic Republic. It is unfortunate however that this important step comes only now after a tit for tat over sanctions in regards to the nuclear issue and the attack on the British embassy in Tehran; decades of hideous crimes against Iranians have provoked no such reaction by foreign governments.

The embassies of the Islamic regime are an outpost of the terror that sits in Tehran.

ALL embassies of the Islamic regime must be shut down.

Seminar on Sharia Law and the Children Act, today in London, UK

2011-11-22T12:52:00.000Z

One Law for All will host a seminar to explore the terms of the Children Act and whether these are compatible with the tenets and practice of sharia law. It will look at the protections provided to children by the provisions of the Children Act and ask if children in Britain, by virtue of their parents’ religion or culture, are at risk of being denied these protections. In addition, One Law for All will provide information on Catholic Canon Law and how this has been used to facilitate the continued abuse of children in Catholic institutions.

Speakers include: Sue Cox, Survivors Voice Europe; Anne Marie Hutchinson, Dawson Cornwell Solicitors; Maryam Namazie, One Law for All; Diana Nammi, Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation; and Yasmin Rehman, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Domestic Violence Intervention Project. The seminar will be chaired by Anne Marie Waters, One Law for All.

Seminar on Sharia Law and the Children Act
22 November 2011
18.30-20.30 hours
Brockway Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL
Entry fee: £8 Statutory organisations; £5 individuals; £2.50 student/unwaged
Registration can be done on the day from 18.00 hours.

More info here

Notes from Iran, 5x5 campaign

2011-11-22T12:10:00.000Z

A group of women in Iran has initiated the 5x5 campaign, starting this week.
On panj-shanbe (meaning the 5th shanbe in the Iranian week, Thursday) at 5 pm they are urging women to take off their veil for 5 seconds in the street. This call has been circulated in the cities of Tehran, Mashhad and Shiraz. We will keep you updated on 5x5.

Solidarity with Iranian workers - from Brazil

2011-11-04T23:15:00.000Z

Brazilian journalist Bruno Mascarenhas' solidarity message with Iranian workers.

Every workers protest is very important, because it is a group that organizes itself because it isn’t satisfied, and this is the exact reason they are protesting. But it’s very difficult to do this under a dictatorship. It becomes impossible.

In Brazil, at the end of the 1970s, more or less during the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Brazil was under a dictatorship, but in the metallurgical unions of the countryside in the ABC Region (a large industrial region in the state of Sao Paulo) led a big movement in which it stopped sixty or eighty thousand workers, who halted their activities, and didn’t produce one single car, they produced nothing in this region, and it was a big problem for the government, a serious problem. The workers actually brought the industry to a halt. The government needed to cede, and ended up giving money to the companies to pay the costs of the workers, they gave a part of the pay raise the workers were asking for, and the workers won many important battles.

Today, the Brazilian worker has more rights and privileges and has won more battles thanks to these metallurgical protests in the ABC Region. In Iran, I think it’s hard, it’s very hard. I think that the Iranian union oil workers, they have problems. The dictatorship is so rigid and strong, and I am afraid that they won’t manage to get their rights. I want that workers manage to get their rights in all parts of the world. Outside of Brazil, what can I do, I can spread the words of solidarity. I am in solidarity with Iranian workers. People who work and produce need dignity, a good home, the family has to live well, it’s a question of quality of life, if you work, you have to have a fair exchange, you have to have a decent salary. In the 1970s/1980s, here in Sao Paulo when there were the big metallurgical union movements in the ABC Region, a good part of the workers were living in favelas (slums), people ate poorly, they had a poor quality of life. Today, most metallurgical workers live with dignity.

International Day of Solidarity with Iranian Workers - tomorrow

2011-11-04T23:10:00.000Z

5 November 2011

Join us on this day of action!

34 cities in 16 countries and counting…

SWEDEN

Stockholm

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: In front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic

Contact: Göran Gustavsson 0704009033 & Faramarz Ghorbani 0765647616

Gothenberg

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 12 noon

Place: Gustav Adolfs Torg

Contact: Abe Asadi 07317178819

Borås

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2-4pm

Place: Stora torget

Contact: Esmail Mardokhi 0 737 59 85 66

Helsingborg

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2.30-5pm

Place: Stortorget

Contact: Gabi Hosseini 0760879874

Sävsjö

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 11am-1pm

Place: Resecentrum

Contact: Arian Mirzolfaghari 0700773423 zolfaghariarian4@gmail.com

Seyed Ezattollah Rashmi 0736561595 moied83@gmail.com

Malmö

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: Davidhalsbron

Contact: Hasan Salehi 0703171102

Farideh Arman 0703638088

Karlskrona

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2-4 pm

Place: Ronnebygatan 43 till 47 i Centrum

Contact: Amir Kamrani; amir_ung@yahoo.com 0046704 53 10 47

nasserkhassaee@yahoo.com 0046762835308

London

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 2-4 pm

Place: Trafalgar Sq., North Terrace, in front of the National Gallery

Then at 5pm we will gather outside the offices of the BBC Persian Service, Broadcasting House, 2-22 Portland Place, W1A 1AA

Contact: Behrooz Bahari 07838156819

Alireza Rashidi 07712810675

CANADA

Toronto

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: Yonge St & Dundas Intersection

Contact: Yadi Mahmoudi 416-471-7138

hkki.vca@gmail.com

Vancouver

Time: Saturday 5^th November, 3-5 pm

Place: Art Gallery, Robson side

Contact: Masoud Arjang 001-6046495453

Vancouver District Labour Council also supports this call

Montreal

Time: Sunday 6^th November, 3-6 pm

Place: Victoria Square (People’s Square)

HOLLAND

Amsterdam

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: Beursplein

Contact: Bahman Khani 0651273261

Norway

Oslo

Time: Saturday 5^th November, 1-2 pm

Place: In front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic

Contact: Saber Rahimi 0798694001

Abolghasem Kardar 04133-3268

GERMANY

Frankfurt

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 11am-1pm

Hauptwache Rathenauplatz

Contact: Shahnaz Moratab 015774650186

Berlin

Time: Saturday 5^th, 2-4 pm

Place: Joachimstaler platz, am U-Bahnhof Kurfürstendamm

Contact: Farzaneh Derakhshan 017624866317

Cologne

Time: Saturday 5^th, 4 pm

Place: In front of Dom

Contact: Mohamad Nemati 01635522356

Hannover

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011 4-6pm

Place: Kropke

Contact: Naser Kashkooli 0177 8348592

Würzburg

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 12-3 pm

Place: Blasiusgasse Strasse (Zwishen Ulla Popkeu)

Contact: Hassan Hosseinzadeh 01741351024

Bremen

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 3-5 pm

Place: Ziegenmarkt

Contact: Siamak Maki 01724037035

Hamburg

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 1.30 pm

Place: Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, Glockengießerwall

Contact: Nazanin Borumand 0172-4044323, Pedram Rezazadeh

017648325613

Leipzig

Time: Saturday 5^thNov, 3-4 pm

Place: Mit freundichen grüssen

Contact: Saeed Etezadzadeh 017629319819

USA

Washington DC

Time: Sunday, November 6, 2011, 1pm

Place: 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC (offices of the Islamic regime at the Pakistani Embassy) with march down to Georgetown to hand out flyers.

Contact: maria.rohaly@gmail.com

Organizers: Mission Free Iran & Unity for Democracy and Justice

Philadelphia

Time: Saturday 5^th, 1 pm

Love Park, Broad and JFK Street

Contact: Soheila Nikpour 267-439-7185

FRANCE

Lyon

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 4-5 pm

Contact: Payam Azar

Details forthcoming

FINLAND

Helsinki

Time: Saturday 5^th, 2- 4 pm

Place: At 14:00 hours we will gather in Helsingin rautatientori and at 14:20 we will start our march towards Narinkkatori behind Kamppi building.

Contact: abroadcommittee@gmail.com

CYPRUS

Nicosia

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 10-11 am

Place: In front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic

Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292

amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com

jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Limassol

Time: Saturday 5th November

Location forthcoming

Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292

amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com

jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Larnaca

Time: Saturday 5th November

Location forthcoming

Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani 96484292

amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com

jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

JAPAN

Tokyo

On 5 and 6 Nov, Jamal Saberi, Worker-communist Party of Iran's cadre and an activist of the "Free Jailed Workers Campaign", will be speaking at the Railway Union meeting. Labour union representatives from Brazil, USA and South Korea will be present in the meeting, and the topic of the meeting is jailed workers in Iran.

GREECE

Athens

Time: Saturday 5th November, 5 pm

Place: Athens Polytechnic in Patission Street

Contact: Naser Aghbashloo 00306957954975

DENMARK

Copenhagen

Time: Saturday 5th November, 2-3 pm

Place: In front of the Embassy of Islamic Republic

Engskiftevej 6 - 2100 København

TURKEY

Ankara

Time: Saturday 5th November, 2-4 pm

Place: At 14:00 hours we will gather in Kugulu Park (Swan Park) and then we will start our march towards Tehran Street in front of the Embassy of Islamic Republic

Contact: 00905370158957

ITALY

Bolzano

Time: Saturday 5th November,

Details forthcoming

Nina Sadeqi 00390471201857

AUSTRALIA

Sydney

Time: Saturday 5th November, 12noon-11pm

Place: Town Hall

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This list is regularly updated. For the latest info, please see:

http://free-them-now.blogspot.com/ www.iranpoliticalprisoners.com http://on.fb.me/oWSQb8 www.missionfree iran.org

FREE THEM NOW! November 5, global action for jailed workers in Iran!

2011-10-27T14:33:00.000+01:00

Currently in prison:

Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, sentenced to 6 years in prison

Reza Shahabi in prison since June 2010

Ebrahim Madadi, in prison since December 2008, sentenced to a 3.5 year prison

Rasoul Bodaghi sentenced to 6 years in prison

Ayat Niyaafar was arrested on Monday 17 Oct.

Their "crimes"

Fighting for workers rights including rights to union activities without fear of being persecuted

Demanding to be paid their wage for the work they have done

Demanding the right to strike and freedom of expression

Organising May Day

Establishing labour organisations

The attack on labour activists must be stopped!

We demands:

· the immediate and unconditional release of all jailed workers in Iran

· the expulsion of delegates of the Islamic regime of Iran from International Labour Organisation (ILO)

We call on all trade unions, concerned organisations and individuals to join us in this campaign. We need to show our solidarity with these jailed workers and their families.

Sweden

Stockholm

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: In front of Embassi of Islamic Republic of Iran

Contact: Göran Gustavsson 0704009033 & Farmarz Ghorbani 0765647616

Gothenberg

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: Brunnsparken

Contact: Abe Asadi 07317178819

Borås

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2-4pm

Place: Stora torget

Contact: Esmail Mardokhi; 0 737 59 85 66

Helsingborg

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2.30-5 pm

Place: Stortorget

Contact: Gabi Hosseini 0760879874

Sävsjö

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011

arian mirzolfaghari 0046700773423

zolfaghariarian4@gmail.com

Details forthcoming

Malmö

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: Triangel

Contact: Hasan Salehi 0703171102

Faride Arman 0703638088

Karlskrona

Date: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2-4 pm

Place: Ronnebygatan 43 till 47 i Centrum

Contact: Amir Kamrani;amir_ung@yahoo.com 0046704 53 10 47
nasserkhassaee@yahoo.com 0046762835308

London

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 2-4 pm

Place: Trafalgar Sq. In front of National Gallery

At 17.00 We will gather outside the BBC Farsi office

Contact: Behroz Bahari 07838156819

Alireza Rashidi 07712810675

BBC Persian: Broadcasting House,

2-22 Portland Place,

London W1A 1AA

Canada

Toronto

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Place: Yonge St & Dundas Intersection

Contact: Yadi Mahmoudi 416-471-7138

hkki.vca@gmail.com

Vancouver

Time: Saturday 5^th November, 3-5 pm

Place:Art Gallery, Robson side

Contact: Masoud Arjang 001-6046495453

Vancouver district Labour council also support this call

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Time: Saturday 5 November 2011, 1-3 pm

Beursplein

Cotact: Bahman Khani 0651273261

Norway

Oslo

Time: Saturday 5^th November

In front of Parliament

Details forthcoming

Contact: Saber Rahimi 004798694001

Abolghasem Kardar 00474133-3268

Germany

Frankfurt

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011

Details forthcoming

Contact: Shahnaz Moratab 015774650186

Berlin

Time: Saturday 5^th, 2-4 pm

Place: Joachimstaler platz, am U-Bahnhof Kurfürstendamm

Contact: Farzaneh Derakhshan

Cologne

Time: Saturday 5^th, 4 pm

Place: In front of Dom

Contact: Mohamad Nemati 01635522356

Hannover

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011 4-6pm

Place: Kropke

Contact: Naser kashkooli 0177 8348592

Würzburg

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 2.30-5 pm
Abdolbaset Soleimani, baset_marx@yahoo.com
fetails forthcoming

Hamburg

Time: Saturday 5^th November 2011, 1.30 pm
Place: Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, Glockengießerwall
Contact: Nazanin Borumand 0172-4044323

Washington DC

Time: Saturday 5^th,

Details forthcoming

Philadelphia

Time: Saturday 5^th, 1 pm

Love Park, Broad and JFK Street

Contact: Soheila Nikpour 267-439-7185

France

Lyon

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 4-5 pm

Contact : Payam Azar

Details forthcoming

Finland

Helsinki

Time: Saturday 5^th, 2- 4 pm

Place: At 14:00 we gather in Helsingin rautatientori and at 14:20 we start our march towards Narinkkatori behind Kamppi building.

Contact: abroadcommittee@gmail.com

Cyprus

Nicosia

Time: Saturday 5th November 2011, 10-11 am

Place: In front of IRI Embassy

Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292

amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com

jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Limassol

Time: Saturday 5th November

Location forthcoming

Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292

amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com

jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Larnaca

Time: Saturday 5th November

Location forthcoming

Contact: Amir Masoud Khaghani, 96484292

amirmasoud.khaghani@gmail.com

jonbeshhoghoghpanahjo.cyprus@gmail.com

Japan

Tokyo

The 5 and 6 Nov, Jamal Saberi Worker-communist Party of Iran's cadre and one of "Free Jailed workers Campaign" activist has speech in the railway union meeting. The labour union representatives from Brazil, USA and South Korea would be present in the meeting. And the subject of the meeting is " Jaliled Workers in Iran

Greece

Athena

Time: Saturday 5th November, 5 pm

Place: Athens Polytechnic in Patission street

Contact: Naser Aghbashloo 00306957954975

The list is being completed momentarily

For more information please refer to the facebook sites and websites and blogs under:

http://free-them-now.blogspot.com/

www.iranpoliticalprisoners.com

http://on.fb.me/oWSQb8

www.missionfree iran.org

For a FREE Secular Middle East and North Africa

2011-10-27T13:35:00.001+01:00

AR/EN/FA/FR

76 secularists and human rights campaigners, including Mina Ahadi, Nawal El Sadaawi, Marieme Helie Lucas, Hameeda Hussein, Ayesha Imam, Maryam Jamil, Maryam Namazie, Taslima Nasrin, Farida Shaheed, Fatou Sow, and Stasa Zajovic have signed on to a Manifesto for a Free and Secular Middle East and North Africa.

In light of the recent pronouncements of the unelected Libyan Transitional Council for ‘Sharia laws’, the signatories of the manifesto vehemently oppose the hijacking of the protests by Islamism or US-led militarism and unequivocally support the call for freedom and secularism made by citizens and particularly women in the region.

Secularism is a minimum precondition for a free and secular Middle East and for the recognition of women’s rights and equality.

We call on world citizens to support this important campaign by signing on to our petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/world-citizens-defend-a-free-and-secular-middle-east-and-north-africa.

We also ask that supporters click ‘like’ on our Facebook page to support this important campaign: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Free-and-Secular-Middle-East-and-North-Africa/271164176261820#!/pages/A-Free-and-Secular-Middle-East-and-North-Africa/271164176261820 and Tweet: #freesecularMENA in support of a free and secular Middle East and North Africa.

VERSION FRANÇAISE CI DESSOUS

FRENCH, ARABIC AND PERSIAN VERSIONS BELOW

Manifesto for a Secular Middle East and North Africa

The 2009 protests in Iran followed by the Arab Spring have the potential to herald a new dawn for the people of the region and the world. The protests have clearly shown that people in the region, like people everywhere, want to live 21st century lives.

We, the undersigned, emphasise their modern and human dimension and wholeheartedly welcome this immense and historical development. We are vehemently opposed to their hijacking by Islamism or US-led militarism and support the call for a free and secular Middle East and North Africa made by citizens and particularly women in the region.

Secularism is a minimum precondition for the freedom and equality of all citizens and includes:

1. Complete separation of religion from the state.

2. Abolition of religious laws in the family, civil and criminal codes.

3. Separation of religion from the educational system.

4. Freedom of religion and atheism as private beliefs.

5. Prohibition of sex apartheid and compulsory veiling.

SIGNATORIES

Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson, International Committees against Stoning and Execution, Iran/Germany
Marieme Helie Lucas, Sociologist, Founder and former international coordinator of Women Living Under Muslim Laws and founder of Secularism Is A Women's Issue, Algeria/France
Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson, Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran, Iran/UK
Shahla Abghari, University Professor, Iran/USA
Siavash Abghari, Esmail Khoi Foundation, Iran/USA
Ahlam Akram, Palestinian Peace and Human Rights Writer and Campaigner, Palestine/UK
Sargul Ahmad, Women's Liberation in Iraq, Iraq/Canada
Mahin Alipour, Coordinator, Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran, Iran/Sweden
Reza Alkrami, Human Rights Activist, Iran/USA
Farideh Arman, Coordinator, Committee to Defend Women’s Rights, Iran/Sweden
Sultana Begum, Regional Gender Adviser, Diakonia Asia, Bangladesh
Djemila Benhabib, Writer, Algeria/Canada
Codou Bop, Journalist and Director of GREFELS, Dakar, Senegal
Ariane Brunet, co-founder Urgent Action Fund, Québec, Canada
Micheline Carrier, Sisyphe, Québec, Canada
Patty Debonitas, Iran Solidarity, UK
Denise Deliège Femmes En Noir, Belgium
Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran, Sweden
Fanny Filosof, Femmes en Noir, Belgium
Mersedeh Ghaedi, New Channel TV Programme host, Iran/Norway
Groupe de recherche sur les femmes et les lois, Dakar, Senegal
Laura Guidetti, Marea Feminist Magazine, Italy
Zeinabou Hadari, Centre Reines Daura, Niger
Anissa Hélie, Historian, Algeria/France/USA
Rohini Henssman, Human Rights Activist, India
Hameeda Hossein, Chairperson Ain o Salish Kendra, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Khayal Ibrahim, Women's Liberation in Iraq, Iraq/Canada
Leo Igwe, Founder, Nigerian Humanist Movement, Nigeria
Ayesha Imam, Women's Human Rights and Democracy Activist, Nigeria/Senegal
International Campaign in Defence of Women’s Rights in Iran, Sweden
International Committee against Execution, Germany
International Committee against Stoning, Germany
Iran Solidarity, Iran/UK
Maryam Jamil, Women's Liberation in Iraq, Iraq
Sultana Kamal, Executive Director, Ain o Salish Kendra and Chairperson Transparency International, Bangladesh
Abbas Kamil, Unity Against Unemployment in Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq
Harsh Kapoor, South Asia Citizens Web, India
Akbar Karimian, Human Rights Activist, Iran/UK
Cherifa Kheddar, President of Djazairouna, Algeria
Monica Lanfranco, Marea Feminist Magazine, Italy
Houzan Mahmoud, Representative of Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq, Iraq/UK
Nahla Elgaali Mahmoud, Biologist, Sudan/UK
Anwar Mir Sattari, Human rights Activist, Iran/Belgium
Amena Mohsin, Professor, Dept. International Relations Dhaka University, Bangladesh
Khawar Mumtaz, Director Shirkat Gah, Lahore, Pakistan
Taslima Nasrin, Writer and Activist, Bangladesh
U. M. Habibun Nessa, President, Naripokkho, Bangladesh
Partow Nooriala, Poet, Writer and Human Rights Activist, Iran/USA
Asghar Nosrati, Human Rights Activist, Iran/Sweden
One Law for All, UK
Pragna Patel, Southall Black Sisters, UK
Fariborz Pooya, Iranian Secular Society, Iran/UK
Protagora, Zagreb, Croatia
Hassan Radwan, Activist, Egypt/UK
Mary Jane Real, Women’s Human Rights Coalition, Manila, The Philippines
Edith Rubinstein, Femmes en Noir, Belgium
Nawal El Sadaawi, Writer, Egypt
Fahimeh Sadeghi, Coordinator, International Federation of Iranian Refugees, Iran/Canada
Gita Sahgal, Director, Centre for Secular Space, UK
Nina Sankari, Secularist and Feminist, Poland
Secularism Is A Women's Issue (International Network)
Aisha Lee Shaheed, London, UK
Farida Shaheed, Shirkat Gah, Lahore, Pakistan
Siba Shakib, Filmmaker, Writer and Activist, Iran/USA
Sohaila Sharifi, Women’s Rights Campaigner, Iran/UK
Issam Shukri, Head, Secularism and Civil Rights in Iraq, Iraq/Canada
Southall Black Sisters, UK
Fatou Sow, Sociologist CNRS, Dakar, Senegal
Afsaneh Vahdat, Coordinator, International Campaign for Women’s Rights in Iran, Iran/Sweden
Lino Veljak, Professor of Philosophy, Zagreb University, Croatia
Fauzia Viqar, Director Advocacy and Communications, Shirkat Gah Women’s Resource Centre, Lahore, Pakistan
Anne Marie Waters, One Law for All, UK
Vivienne Wee, anthropologist, feminist and human rights activist, Singapore and Hong Kong, China
Women In Black, Belgrade, Serbia
Sara Zaker, Theatre Director, Bangladesh
Stasa Zajovic, spokesperson Women in Black, Belgrade, Serbia

FRENCH

Manifeste pour la laicité au Moyen Orient et en Afrique du Nord

Les protestations de 2009 en Iran et le Printemps Arabe qui a suivi pourrait faire se lever une nouvelle aurore pour le peuple de la région et du monde. Les manifestations ont clairement montré que le peuple dans la région, comme partout, veut vivre au XXI° siècle.

Nous sous signés, soulignons leur dimension moderne et humaine et soutenons de tout coeur cet immense tournant historique. Nous nous opposons avec véhemence à ce qu'il soit détourné par l'islamisme ou par la militarisation sous l’égide des Etats Unis et reitérons l'appel pour un Moyen Orient et une Afrique du Nord libres et laiques, lancé par les citoyens et particulièrelent les femmes de la région.

La laicité est le pré-requis minimum pour assurer la liberté et l'égalité de tous les citoyens, et cela inclue:

1. la totale separation de la religion et de l'état.

2. l'abolition des lois religieuses en matière familiale et dans le code penal.

3. la séparation de la religion et du système d'éducation.

4. la liberté de religion et d'athéisme, définis comme croyances personnelles.

5. l'interdiction de l'apartheid sexuel et du voile obligatoire.

ARABIC

بيان من أجل شرق اوسط وشمال افريقيا علمانية

إن احتجاجات إيران عام 2009 والربيع العربي الذي أعقبها تحمل أملاً بفجر جديد لشعوب المنطقة وللعالم. لقد أظهرت الاحتجاجات بشكل واضح أن شعوب المنطقة، كغيرها من شعوب العالم، تسعي لحياه تواكب متطلبات القرن الحادي والعشرين.

نحن، الموقعون أدناه، نؤكد على البعد الحديث والإنساني لهذه الثورات ونرحب ترحيبا حارا بهذا التطور التاريخي الكبير. ونحن نعارض بشدّة سلب مكتسبات هذه الثورات سواء كان ذلك على يد الحركات الإسلامية أو السياسات العسكريتارية بقيادة امريكا، ونؤيد الدعوة لقيام شرق أوسط وشمال إفريقيا علمانية بارادة المواطنين في المنطقة وخاصة النساء.

إن العلمانية تمثّل الحد الأدنى من أجل تحقيق حرية ومساواة كل المواطنين، ويشمل ذلك:

1. فصل الدين عن الدولة فصلاً تاما.

2. إلغاء التشريعات الدينية الخاصة بالأسرة والتشريعات المدنية والجنائية.

3. فصل الدين عن النظام التعليمي.

4. حرية الدين والإلحاد كمعتقدات شخصية.

5. منع سياسة التمييز الجنسي والحجاب الإجباري.

PERSIAN

مانیفست برای خاورمیانه- شمال آفریفای سکولار

مبارزات سال 88 (2009 میلادی) در ایران و در پی آن "بهار عربی" این ظرفیت را دارد که طلوعی تازه را به مردم منطقه و جهان نوید دهد. اعتراضات به روشنی میدهد که مردم این منطقه، نظیر مردم هر جای دیگر، خواهان یک زندگی قرن بیست و یکمی هستند.

ما امضاء کنندگان زیر بر ابعاد انسانی و مدرن این مبارزات تاکید میگذاریم و با تمام وجود از این تحول عظیم تاریخی استقبال میکنیم. ما قاطعانه مخالفت خود را با مصادره این انقلابات و مبارزات توسط اسلام گرایی و یا میلیتاریسم (دولتی) تحت رهبری آمریکا اعلام میداریم و از فراخوان "یک خاورمیانه و شمال آفریقای آزاد و سکولار" حمایت میکنیم که توسط شهروندان این منطقه بویژه زنان مطرح شده است.

سکولاریسم پیش شرط حداقل برای آزادی و برابری همه شهروندان و دربرگیرنده این مفاد است:

١-جدائی کامل مذهب از دولت.

٢-الغای قوانین مذهبی در قوانین خانواده، مدنی و جنایی.

٣-جدائی مذهب از سیستم آموزش و پرورش.

٤-آزادی مذهب و بی مذهبی بعنوان اعتقادات شخصی.

٥-ممنوعیت آپارتاید جنسی و حجاب اجباری.

For more information, contact:

Marieme Helie Lucas

Maryam Namazie

Telephone: +44 (0) 7719166731

For a Free and Secular Middle East and North Africa

Email: secularMENA@gmail.com

BM Box 2387, London WC1N 3XX, UK

Iran Solidarity's message at Frankfurt Book Fair

2011-10-13T21:46:00.000+01:00

English/Deutsch

Freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom is important…for everyone

We are pleased to announce that this year Iran Solidarity has its own stall at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

We are here to inform visitors about our work in mobilising solidarity with Iranian people who are fighting against the dictatorial regime they have been living under for 32 years. We are concerned however, that the Iranian regime has been allowed to take part in the Book Fair through its regime-owned publishing houses.

The question is why the Islamic regime of Iran can freely send its representatives to the Frankfurt Book Fair when it does not allow freedom of expression or a free press inside Iran, when it routinely bans and censures films, books and songs, when it incessantly abuses and imprisons journalists, filmmakers and artists, when it murders and disappears writers and dissidents, when it oppresses women systematically through its laws and actions, when it still stones women and men to death, when it rapes and tortures prisoners, when it has executed on average one person every 8 hours for the last 10 months?

What is such a regime doing at the Frankfurt Book Fair?

We are surprised by the ‘civility’ the regime’s henchmen and women are displaying here, something they hardly extent to their own people; like Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr who was just ‘honoured’ with 90 lashes and one year in prison for playing in the film ‘My Tehran for sale’ which was first given permission by the regime but subsequently banned. Inside Iran, the regime imprisons writers, journalists and artists – abroad it takes part in the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Iranian regime’s only claim to culture is that of a culture of censorship and brutality - and its representatives are now here to freely move and express themselves whilst the Iranian people as a whole are not.

In 1989 the Iranian regime was banned from the Book Fair after it had issued a fatwa against Salman Rushdie for his book ‘The Satanic Verses’. The then director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, Weidhaas, had said, "The Satanic Verses" has become…a fight for the revolutionary and progressive achievement of freedom of speech, the freedom to distribute the word and the free flow of information.” The Iranian regime was banned for 10 years and we wonder what happened? Why has the Islamic regime of Iran been allowed back in when not only the fatwa actually still stands but more importantly the regime’s record towards its own people has long been so clear and so visible to the world?

We are very pleased that we will be here as a voice of information and conscience and we are doing our utmost to inform visitors about the brutality, misogyny and criminal character of the Islamic regime of Iran and to ask the question: What is the Iranian regime doing at an event that stands for freedom of thought and expression?

We would like to hear from you, please get in touch:

Shahnaz Morattab (Farsi, Deutsch)

Shahnaz1@t-online.de

+49 (0) 15774650186

Patty Debonitas, spokesperson (English, Deutsch)

iransolidaritynow@gmail.com

+44 (0) 7435156444

Meinungsfreiheit, Denkfreiheit, Freiheit ist wichtig...für alle

Wir freuen uns, dass in diesem Jahr Iran Solidarität einen eigenen Info-Tisch auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse hat.

Wir sind hier, um Besucher über unsere Arbeit zur Solidaritätsmobilisierung mit den iranischen Menschen, die seit 32 Jahren gegen das diktatorische Regime im Iran kämpfen, zu informieren. Wir sind jedoch darüber besorgt, dass das iranische Regime an der Buchmesse durch seine eigenen Verlagshäuser teilnehmen kann.

Die Frage ist, warum das islamische Regime Irans ihre Vertreter zur Frankfurter Buchmesse schicken kann, wenn es keine freie Meinungsäußerung oder Pressefreiheit im Iran zuläßt, wenn es routinemäßig Filme, Bücher und Lieder zensiert und verbietet, wenn es unaufhörlich Journalisten, Filmemacher und Künstler missbraucht und einsperrt, wenn es Schriftsteller und Dissidenten ermordet oder verschwinden lässt, wenn es Frauen systematisch durch seine Gesetze und Maßnahmen unterdrückt, wenn es immer noch Frauen und Männer zu Tode steinigt, wenn es Gefangene foltert und vergewaltigt, wenn es in den letzten 10 Monaten durchschnittlich alle 8 Stunden eine Person hingerichtet hat? Was hat ein solches Regime auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse zu suchen?

Wir sind von der "Zivilität" die die Handlanger des Regimes hier an den Tag legen überrascht, da sie so etwas kaum ihren eigenen Leuten zukommen lassen; wie etwa der iranischen Schauspielerin Marzieh Vafamehr, die gerade vom Regime mit 90 Peitschenhieben und einem Jahr Gefängnis für ihre Rolle in den Films 'My Tehran for sale' "ausgezeichnet" wurde. Im Iran sperrt das Regime Schriftsteller, Journalisten und Künstler ein - im Ausland hat es einen Stand auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse. Die einzige Kultur die das iranische Regime vorzuweisen hat, ist eine Kultur der Zensur und Brutalität - und deren Vertreter sind jetzt hier und können sich frei bewegen und sich äußern, etwas das das iranische Volk generell nicht tun kann.

1989 wurde das iranische Regime von der Buchmesse verbannt, nachdem es eine Fatwa gegen Salman Rushdie für sein Buch "Die Satanischen Verse" erlassen hatte. Der damalige Direktor der Frankfurter Buchmesse, Weidhaas, hatte gesagt, dass das Buch zu einem „Kampf für die revolutionäre und fortschrittliche Errungenschaft der Redefreiheit, der Freiheit des Wortes und dem freien Fluss von Informationen" geworden sei. Dem iranischen Regime war 10 Jahre lang verboten worden an der Messe teilzunehmen, und wir fragen uns was jetzt anders ist? Warum kann das islamische Regime wieder teilnehmen, wenn nicht nur die Fatwa noch steht, und, noch wichtiger, die Taten des Regimes schon seit langem so klar und sichtbar für die ganze Welt sind?

Wir freuen uns sehr, dass wir hier als eine Stimme der Informations- und Gewissensfreiheit sind, und wir wollen alle Besucher über die Brutalität, Frauenfeindlichkeit und den verbrecherischen Charakter des islamischen Regimes im Iran informieren. Wir stellen die Frage: Was hat das iranische Regime auf einer Messe, die für die Freiheit des Denkens und der Meinungsäußerung steht, zu suchen?

Wir würden gerne von Ihnen hören:

Shahnaz Morattab (Farsi, Deutsch)

Shahnaz1@t-online.de

+49 (0) 15774650186

Patty Debonitas, Sprecherin (English, Deutsch)

iransolidaritynow@gmail.com

+44 (0) 7435156444

The reigning kings of terror

2011-10-10T21:23:00.000+01:00

Today on the International Day Against the Death Penalty, a reminder that the Islamic regime of Iran reigns as the highest per capita executioner in the world. In the last month alone they executed over 100 people, among them at least one minor and one political activist. The tsunami of executions hasn't stopped in almost a year - make your voice heard!

STOP EXECUTIONS NOW!

Iran Solidarity stall at Frankfurt Book Fair

2011-10-09T23:44:00.000+01:00

Iran Solidarity has a stall at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair from 12 - 16 of October!

After Brazil, we are continuing with our Iran Solidarity Tour, this time in Frankfurt, Germany - raising awareness of the situation of people in Iran and protesting the fact that the Islamic regime of Iran will be present at the book fair with a stall of their own.

It is quite unbelievable that a regime that brutally kills off free expression and those who use it, that forbids women to sing in public, a regime that bans and censures books, films and the media in the tradition of the vilest dictatorships will be able to freely spread their views and propaganda at the fair. No doubt this will be done displaying a show of civility that the Islamic regime hardly shows to its own people. In the name of representing 'Iranian culture' we will see some well dressed, smiling henchmen of the very regime that has just honoured Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr with 90 lashes and one year in prison for playing in the film ‘My Tehran for sale’ which was first given permission (yes, films need to be approved by the regime) but subsequently banned. Inside Iran, the regime imprisons writers, journalists and directors – abroad it takes part in the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The Iranian regime’s only claim to culture is that of a culture of censorship and brutality - and its representatives shall not be allowed to run around and speak freely when the Iranian people as a whole are not.

We are very pleased that we will be there as a voice of information and protest and we will do our utmost to let every single visitor know about the brutality, misogyny and criminal character of the Islamic regime of Iran and the frankly quite outrageous fact that the Islamic regime has been allowed to have their own stall at the book fair.

Please come and say hello!

For more information please contact:
In Germany
Shahnaz Morattab (Deutsch, Farsi)
+49 (0) 15774650186
Email: shahnaz1@t-online.de

or
Patty Debonitas (English, Deutsch)
+44 (0) 7435156444
Email: iransolidaritynow@gmail.com

Iran Solidarity Tour in Brazil, report 1

2011-10-03T01:10:00.003+01:00

Mina Ahadi at TEDxESPM

On Thursday, 29 September Mina Ahadi took part in the TEDxESPM conference in São Paulo, Brazil as part of the Iran Solidarity Tour.

18 speakers shared their personal achievements and experiences to a 300-strong audience at the day-long conference. Among an amazing collection of stories were:

The Brazilian graffiti artist Mundano who is involved in social projects and people´s movements, who proclaimed the ´street is democratic´ because there is no hierarchy on the street.

The project of Andreas Heinecke who brings the experience of being blind to people globally and thus enables a dialogue and understanding about the world of the blind.

The independent Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who has struggled for over a decade with censorship and financial monopolies and now works with a collective of volunteers to get his films made and seen.

Mina Ahadi talked about her work for Sakineh Ashtiani and Shahla Jahed and the many other faceless men and women who are the victims of the Iranian regime´s brutality. She expressed her hope that the Iranian regime will vanish as soon as possible, to see an end to executions, stoning and brutality in Iran.

Brazilian Iran Solidarity Committee formed

On Friday, 30 September a meeting with representatives of numerous Brazilian NGOs, lawyers, journalists and international law experts was held. Mina Ahadi presented her work and talked about the human rights violations in Iran. A focus of the meeting was the legal system in Iran and the situation of lawyers who have been imprisoned by the Islamic regime for their work.

At the meeting a Brazilian Iran Solidarity Committee was formed to enable a systematic and progressive collaboration towards solidarity with Iranian people.

This Monday, 3 October, there will be a meeting with the former Brazilian minister of Justice and current human rights secretary for the state of Sao Paulo, Gregori, at which Mina Ahadi will speak about the human rights violations, the ongoing strikes of 6000 oil workers in Mahshahr and the imprisoned labour activists in Iran.

Iran Solidarity & International Committee against Stoning on their Iran Solidarity Tour –

in Brazil, 1 October 2011

Iran Solidarity Tour leaflet

2011-10-03T00:44:00.000+01:00

Our info materials on our Tour and organisations.

Iran Solidarity Tour in Brazil

2011-09-22T22:42:00.000+01:00

Iran Solidarity together with the International Committee against Stoning are organising the Iran Solidarity Tour and one of our first stops will be São Paulo, Brazil. Please read our latest public announcement below.

Mina Ahadi at TEDxESPM in Brazil /// Launch of ‘Iran Solidarity Tour’

Mina Ahadi, spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning (ICAS) will be speaking at the TEDxESPM conference on 29 September in São Paulo, Brazil. The day-long conference will see a host of Brazilian and international achievers talk on the theme of Communication Lighting up Minds.

Mina Ahadi’s speech at the conference coincides with the ‘Iran Solidarity Tour’ which has been organised by ICAS and Iran Solidarity. The Tour aims at building and expanding a solid and influential international network of support and solidarity with the people in Iran in their fight against the Islamic regime of Iran. In a series of events, meetings and campaigns, the Solidarity Tour will keep the struggle of the Iranian people in the world’s mind. Several meetings with organisations and government representatives in Europe and South America have been organised to lobby for the continued and outspoken support of people in Iran.

Mina Ahadi, International Committee against Stoning

Patty Debonitas, Iran Solidarity

20 September 2011

Contact:

Iran Solidarity, Patty Debonitas, spokesperson, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, +44 (0) 7435156444

International Committee against Stoning, Mina Ahadi, spokesperson, minaahadi@aol.com, +49 (0) 1775692413

Note:

The TEDxESPM conference will be broadcast live at the following link: http://www.tedxespm.com.br/

www.stopstonningnow.com

www.iransolidarity.blogspot.com

17-year-old Alireza Mollasoltani executed

2011-09-21T22:07:00.000+01:00

The Iranian regime hanged 17-year-old Alireza Mollasoltani publicly in Karaj today. He was accused of having stabbed Ruhollah Dadashi, a weightlifting champion.

To justify the execution of a minor, Ali Rezwanmanesh, a representative from the judiciary, said that Alireza wasn’t actually a minor as he had already reached his religious maturity according to Sharia. The years used in Sharia follow the lunar calendar and are therefore shorter.

One wonders how long the judiciary must have thought about this ludicrous excuse to justify the murder of yet another Iranian teenager in front of the world.

Lauren Booth is challenged on her connection to Press TV

2011-09-19T22:27:00.000+01:00

During the debate Scimitar's Edge at the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival 2011, Mary-Ann Sieghart and Maryam Namazie challenge journalist Lauren Booth on her work for Iran's television network Press TV.

Iran Solidarity Toronto

2011-09-17T20:26:00.000+01:00

Sakineh Ashtiani, one year on

2011-09-08T19:41:00.000+01:00

It has been one year to the day that the spokesperson of the Islamic regime’s foreign ministry announced that Sakineh Ashtiani’s ‘…verdict regarding the extra-marital affair has stopped and it is being reviewed.’

This announcement came in the midst of a massive, international campaign to save Sakineh Ashtiani from death by stoning. No doubt, under the immense attention and appeals from across the world, the Iranian regime tried to buy time. Since that time last year, Sakineh has been forbidden to receive visitors; she has no access to her family or a lawyer. By isolating her and intimidating and harassing her relatives and supporters, the Iranian regime wishes that the utter disgrace of trying to kill yet another innocent woman might vanish from the face of the international arena. But it won’t.

Sakineh has come to represent the suffering of a nation under the Islamic regime of Iran’s rule - with all its injustice, barbarity, misogyny and violence.

They tried to discredit Sakineh and those that support her in Iran and internationally - all to make their barbarity more acceptable to the international community. In vain. The world has stopped buying the lies of the regime and the world is waiting for the safe release of Sakineh Ashtiani and her lawyer Houtan Kian who is also still in prison. The world is waiting for the release of all those other, as yet faceless, women and men who linger in the regime’s dungeons.

We are waiting for real justice to be handed out in an international criminal court to those who have been crushing life and dignity with their rulebooks, batons, fists and guns.

Sakineh Ashtiani’s stoning sentence has not been revoked.

We will not give up pushing for the safe release of Sakineh Ashtiani and her lawyer Houtan Kian.

Patty Debonitas

Iran Solidarity

iransolidaritynow(at)gmail.com

The killing continues...

2011-09-07T18:40:00.000+01:00

According to news reports from Iran, at least ten people were executed in the last 4 days alone.

On Sunday, September 4, six people were hanged in Karoun prison in the city of Ahvaz (southwest of Iran), three of them for sodomy. ISNA, the state-run news agency only identified the men with their initials and gave no information of their age. The three people convicted of sodomy were sentenced under article 108 and 110 of the Islamic penal code.

On Tuesday, September 6, four men were hanged in the city of Kerman for alleged drug related offences.

Clearly the Islamic regime of Iran is continuing with its killing spree that started in December last year.

Last month, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative in foreign affairs and security policy, condemned the ongoing executions in Iran and demanded and end to it. In a statement Ms Ashton said: “I am deeply concerned because of the increased number of executions in Iran. Based on data gathered from many sources during the first half of 2011, the rate of executions in Iran in proportion to its population, places Iran at the top list of users of executions.”

Let's keep the spotlight and pressure on the Islamic regime's killing machine.

"Azerbaijan rise up and cry out"

2011-09-04T16:55:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, Saturday 3 September, saw yet again thousands of protesters on the streets of Orumieh in the Iranian province of Western Azerbaijan protesting against the inaction of the government to save lake Orumieh (or Urmia), one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world. The protesters were attacked by the regime’s security forces.

Street protest in Orumieh

Lake Orumieh, in Iranian Azerbaijan is the largest lake in the Midlle East and it has lost 60% of its water in recent years. Two weeks ago the Iranian parliament voted against allocating funds to help revive the lake and some members of parliament have suggested that the population around the lake should be re-settled.

Abandoned shipwreck on Lake Orumieh

Recent protests against the lack of action by the government broke out last Saturday, 27 August, in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan.

Street protest in Orumieh on 27 August

Yesterday, Saturday 3, saw again thousands of protesters coming out on the streets in Orumieh protesting against the government, shouting "Let's cry and fill Lake Orumieh with our tears,". They were met with a heavy presence of security forces. According to several sources the security forces attacked the protesters using batons, rubber bullets and tear gas. Dozens of people were arrested.

Arrest of people in Orumieh

A planned protest in Tabriz did not happen due to several arrests and intimidations by security forces. Tabriz has already seen weeks of separate incidents of protests relating to the dying lake. On August 23 football fans shouted anti-government slogans at a football match in relation to the dying lake. The next day, a group of about 30 activists were arrested whilst discussing the state of the lake and having dinner together (during Ramadan). At a first protest in April this year, 70 people were arrested at a protest in Tabriz; many sentenced to lashes and fines.

Iran info table in Toronto

2011-08-17T12:56:00.000+01:00

10 August saw the second successful week of the Iran Solidarity info table in Toronto. Our continued call to stop executions in Iran gathers more and more signatures every time we spread out the banner for people to sign. IS Toronto is in downtown every Wednesday, 12-2pm. Go and see them if you are near.

Iran Solidarity in Toronto

2011-08-03T22:30:00.001+01:00

Today saw the first of our Iran Solidarity info tables hitting the streets of Toronto, Canada. Pisrow and Yadi, two of our members, set up the table and talked to people, giving them the latest information on people's situation in Iran. The circle of international solidarity with the Iranian people keeps on growing...

In solidarity with Iranian asylum seekers in Cyprus

2011-07-27T18:39:00.000+01:00

Asylum seekers from Iran and other countries have been victim to increased violence by the authorities in Cyprus. Several Iranians have been deported to Iran over the last couple of weeks. The International Coalition for the Rights of Iranian Refugees and Mission Free Iran are organising a demonstration in Washington this Friday.

BACKGROUND: On Tuesday, 12 July, 2011, approximately 35 police officers and other Cypriot authorities violently assaulted a group of Iranian and other refugees held in Larnaca detention center. During the attack, the Cypriot authorities threatened the refugees with handguns and used batons and brass knuckles to brutally beat the refugees, including an elderly 72-year old asylum-seeker, who was transferred to solitary confinement after the beatings. He, along with his family, was deported to Iran in the following days. One refugee is reported to have sustained a broken leg, for which he finally first received medical treatment 10 days after the attacks. Neither the government of Cyprus nor the UNHCR has taken any substantive action with regard to these illegal attacks on defenseless detainees held for migration-related reasons. A Cypriot government that flagrantly violates fundamental human rights should not expect to assume the Presidency of the European Union in 2012 without opposition.

WHAT: Demonstration outside the Embassy of Cyprus in Washington DC in solidarity with Iranian and other refugees detained in Larnaca, Cyprus who came under barbaric, unprovoked attack by Cypriot authorities on 12 July 2011. The protest will include photo exhibits of injuries sustained by the refugees. Informational flyers will be handed out to the public.

WHO: Activists from Mission Free Iran, the Women’s Alliance for Change in Iran, and other activists

WHEN: Friday, July 29, 2011, 12:00-2:00 PM

WHERE: Outside the Embassy of Cyprus, 2211 R St., NW, Washington, DC

Go here for more info

CONTACT:
Maria Rohaly
Coordinator, Mission Free Iran
Representative, International Coalition for the Rights of Iranian Refugees
Phone: (240) 595-2633
E-mail: maria.rohaly@gmail.com
Website: http://missionfreeiran.org

UPDATED! Statements and actions in Support of International Day against Stoning

2011-07-11T22:10:00.006+01:00

Click the 'like' button and put your statements, photos, videos, poems, and acts of solidarity against stoning and in support of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others sentenced to death by stoning on the Facebook page or email them to actionforsakineh@gmail.com. Send letters of protest to the regime in Iran. Also don't forget to tweet on the day (#Sakineh #Iran #IDAS #11July). Support this day and help bring an end to stoning.

See Washington Post, International Day against Stoning on 11 July

LATEST NEWS: The prosecutor of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has been banned from Britain. Moussa Khalilollahi is understood to be one of fifty senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran blacklisted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Friday 8 July 2011.

LATEST STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS, Updated 13 July 2011

AUSTRALIA

Statement from Russell Blackford, author and philosopher, Australia: It is unacceptable that the barbaric punishment of death by stoning continue in the twenty-first century. I join with many others throughout the world in calling for an end to the practice of death by stoning, condemnation of any government that uses or condones the practice, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the immediate release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others currently sentenced to death by stoning.

BELGIUM

Ann Brusseel of the Flemish parliament: will issue a resolution for 21 July (Belgian National Day) urging the Federal government to take action on violations of human rights and crimes against humanity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Statement from Sonja Eggerickx, President, International Humanist and Ethical Union: I write on behalf of the International Humanist and Ethical Union to express our support for the International Day Against Stoning on July 11, 2011. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the global federation of Humanist and atheist organizations, representing more than 100 groups from 40 countries. As the voice for Humanists around the globe, we call on all Humanists and all people of conscience to support the International Day Against Stoning. We also call on all people of conscience to raise their voice to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who remains imprisoned in Iran facing the possibility of death by stoning. We recommend the International Day Against Stoning Website for advice and support in campaigning against stoning in general and for working to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani in particular. You can find statement here.

Statement from Women Council of Belgium: Democracy contains the same values everywhere and we must defend it in the same way all over the world. What reasonable person, whether European or from elsewhere, can still be in favor of stoning? Or female genital mutilation? Or hanging homosexuals? Or confining women at home? Women are more than half of humanity! Stoning is among the most the barbaric violence of the 21st century and massacres against women are perpetrated over and over again! In Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Yemen, to name the main countries, death by stoning is still a punishment to which women - mostly - are still subject to… And ironically among these countries some have signed conventions of Human Rights. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has languished for too many years in an Iranian jail. She has already been punished with 99 lashes administered in the presence of one of her two children. How can we speak of "justice"? Stoning in Iran is a political tool in the hands of a, religious, Islamic, archaic and repressive regime decided to oppress the society in one of the hardest ways that exist. In countries experiencing armed conflicts and in countries that have introduced Sharia law, violence against women is organized. Women who cannot defend themselves are the victims of fanatics and Islamic courts. Today the voice of Sakineh reached the world and today Sakineh represents all victims of obscurantism. In Belgium we demand the abolition of stoning, which is a brutal murder that nothing can justify. On the International Day against Stoning in Belgium we say stop stoning now! Viviane Teitelbaum, President CFFB – women council of Belgium

BANGLADESH

Statement from Hameeda Hossain, Chairperson, Ain o Salish Kendra, Dhaka: It is truly shocking that governments which have ratified CEDAW and committed themselves to prevent violence against women have no hesitation in permitting the practice of medieval penalties such as stoning women on grounds of morality, grounds which do not concern the state. Stoning also an act of torture, which is universally condemned. Some countries have included this in their statutes, while others fail to and do not take action against a community or individual who perpetrates such crimes in the name of customary or religious laws. We should be moving towards a peaceful society, instead we have targetted women. We must call upon the UN to ensure that governments abide by their commitments to violence against women, to gender equality, to freedom from torture.

BOTSWANA

Ferdinand Berkhof (Seheho) sent in a cartoon "worlds apart":

CANADA

Vancouver
Act of Solidarity on corner of Howe and Robson
12.30-15.00 hours
Contact: Zari Asli,zariasli@yahoo.ca

Here are some photos:

Ottawa
12.00-14.00
Location: in front of Parliament

Statement from Udo Schuklenk, Professor of Philosophy and Ontario Research Chair in Bioethics: I wholeheartedly support your International Day Against Stoning. Stoning constituted a barbaric form of punishment. It is a clear violation of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The UNDHR stipulates in Article 5: 'No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.' Clearly stoning people to death violates Article 5. This form of punishment must be stopped immediately.

Statement from Farzana Hassan, Author: Islamic law, as interpreted and applied in Muslim countries renders women especially vulnerable with respect to sexuality issues. For women, adultery, or a mere suspicion of adultery, can often land Muslim women in trouble with the law, particularly what passes for law in Iran, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Muslim world. The question then is: Why does an act that cannot take place without two parties often result in such dire consequences for women alone? The obvious answer is the relative ease with which guilt can be established for women rather than men. For example, pregnancy is often interpreted as proof of adultery, and rape is often construed as adultery. The fallacy occurs because Islamic law in many parts of the Muslim world makes no fundamental distinction between rape and adultery. Victims of rape often end up being incarcerated for adultery because they are unable to prove their innocence due to unfair religious rulings on women’s testimony. But even if the law established culpability equally to both sexes, one must answer a very basic question about the prescribed Islamic punishment for adultery. A man may marry up to four wives, over and above the concubines with whom he may have sexual relations. Doesn’t that reduce a man’s chances of committing adultery, which would technically be defined as sex outside of marriage? A woman, on the other hand, has no such options. She may express her sexuality only within the bounds of her marriage to one husband. Therefore, even a single encounter with a man not her lawful husband immediately brands her an adulteress. The man may escape the charge of adultery by having several partners and regarding them all as legal. Such inequality of opportunity, which imposes the charge of adultery on a woman much more easily, makes equal punishment utterly unfair. Jurists and other modern exegetes of the Koran have regrettably failed to recognize the injustice. Moreover, the terminology has simply been manipulated to legalize men’s multiple unions and criminalize the same in women.Islamic law, as interpreted and applied in Muslim countries does not take into account the inequality of opportunity between men and women to express their sexuality. What is deemed perfectly legitimate for men is criminalized for women, leaving them vulnerable to sexual offences more often and far more easily. Muslim countries must therefore repeal such laws that discriminate between men and women in this manner. Laws must be based on secular and humanistic principles clearly embodying equality of the sexes.

DENMARK

Statement from Helle Merete Brix, Writer: I will participate in an action against stoning, this barbaric punishment that should long ago have been abolished. Thanks to the organisations letting the world know about the women and men in prisons in Iran and elsewhere being condemned to this inhuman punishment.

FRANCE

Paris

Several French organisations sent a press release to the media, a letter to the General Secretary of the UN, letters to ambassadors of the countries where stoning is practised and a special letter to the Iranian authorities. On 11 July, they will go to the Iranian embassy and give them the letter and hold a rally. The NGOs supporting the action are the following: Ligue du Droit International des Femmes, Association créée par Simone de Beauvoir,Mouvement Pour la Paix et Contre le Terrorisme, Regards de Femmes, Coordination Française du Lobby Européen de Femmes and Femmes contre les intégrismes. Here are some photos:

Postcard from Little Shiva:

Statement from the European Feminist Initiative: IFE-EFI strongly supports the International Campaign against Stoning and will be part of the International Day of protest on the 11th of July. Stoning, flogging, beheading are used on behalf of honour, religion, culture or traditions against women for trying to realize their most basic human rights. All freedom-loving people and the feminist movement across the world are saying NO and struggle to put an end to these inhuman practices. Stoning is still legal in a number of countries. IFE-EFI demands the immediate prohibition of this practice and its recognition as a crime against Humanity. We call upon the United Nations to exercise pressure on the States where stoning is legal in order to get from them the condemnation of this crime. Building States, in which religion is separated from the public sphere; from the political, educational and judicial system is a necessary precondition for preserving women from tyranny and oppression and achieving equality between women and men.

GERMANY

Berlin
Solidarity actions. See photos below:

Frankfurt
Solidarity action
Hauptwache, 16:00 hours
Here are some photos:

Köln
Solidarity Action
Domplatte, 17:00

Statement frm Hartmut Krauss, HINTERGRUND-Verlag: Das im Iran herrschende staatsislamistische System verkörpert die gegenwärtig wohl perverseste Verknüpfung von mittelalterlich-religiöser Barbarei mit technologischer (atomarer) Modernität. Deshalb ist es eine Schande, dass dieses Regime nicht mit dem gleichen ökonomischen, politischen und kulturellen Boykott sanktioniert wird wie früher das südafrikanische Apartheidregime. Die barbarische Strafpraxis der Steinigung gehört ebenso wie das gesamte islamische „Recht“ und seine Befürworter und Anwender auf den Müllhaufen der Geschichte. Das Schicksal Bin Ladens und die Destabilisierung einer Reihe von arabischen Despotien sind hoffentlich Vorboten einer letztendlich auch im Iran unvermeidbaren säkularen Revolution, in deren Verlauf die religionsfanatischen Steiniger und Missetäter zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden.

INDIA

Statement from M Hasan Jowher, President, Society for Promoting Rationality: Society for Promoting Rationality is dead against all barbaric treatments such as stoning. This is a painful baggage of a part of human history and is best consigned to archives. We offer our total support to all movements for the banishment of all such forms of punishments smacking of cruelty and barbarity...

IRAN

On 11 July, a 1000 flyers in support of the International Day against Stoning were distributed in Saqez, Iran clandestinely.

IRELAND

Statement from Conor Scott: I wish to assert my absolute abhorrence of the practice of stoning. It is a way of torturing people to death. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is NOT guilty of any recognisable crime but yet she risks being stoned to death for adultery (not a crime). She should be immediately released! The death penalty should be abolished in Iran.

INDONESIA

Bogor, West Java

Teacher and activist Rafiq Mahmood sent a letter to the Jakarta Post and Jakarta Globe on stoning: An edited version of the letter was printed in today's Jakarta Post.

ITALY

Turin

Statement by blogger Gianni Verdoliva: Stones are for decorating gardens, not for killing women. Stoning is a barbaric practise that needs to be put in the garbage of history. In 2011 we can't afford to stay silent while women die or risk dying in this horrific way. Stoning MUST be outlawed and the law MUST be enforced everywhere in the word. Together we can do it. By providing aid and support for potential victims, for local activists and their families. In this battle we can't afford to pick and choose other supporters simply because we disagree with them on other issues. Anyone is welcomed. And also I point out that, when stoning is legally sanctioned and/or tolerated the state should be the object of diplomatic and commercial boycott and has to be shamed as a pariah state unless it changes. My support for your battle against stoning is heartfelt. As a feminist, as a humanist and as an independent free-thinker. I admire local on the ground activists and I wish them all the best. In feminist solidarity.

NETHERLANDS

Groningen
Act of Solidarity, 19:30 hours
Contact: Daniëlle Vermanen, via Facebook page

NIGERIA

Statement from Leo Igwe, executive director of the Nigerian Humanist Movement: In today's world, it is shocking to know that there are states like Iran where human beings are facing stoning sentences. And as often the case, this barbaric form of punishment is used against the vulnerable members of the population like Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her associates in Iran. I want to join my voice with those of other friends around world to upon the government of Iran to abolish stoning and execution of human beings. And to free Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Now. In solidarity with International Day Against Stoning. P.S. We are holding a humanist convention in Abuja in September 22-25. And there is a session on faith based human rights abuses. Please send a presentation on the international campaign against stoning.

SWEDEN

Malmö
Solidarity Action
Gustav Adolfs Torg, 17:00

Here are some photos of event:

Statement by chairpersons Josef Wijk and Maria Hagberg from the Network Against Honour Related Violence: We strongly reject stoning and demand all Human Rights activist, politicians and democratic states to protest against death penalty in general and stoning in particular; on the 11th of July the International Day Against Stoning and in memorial for Maryam Ayoubi stoned to death but also all other victims of stoning all over the world.

UK

London
Flash mob action at 18.30 hours
Trafalgar Square
Contact: Patty Debonitas, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com

Statement from Richard Dawkins, Scientist and Author: July 11th is the International Day against Stoning. It is organised by, among others, Maryam Namazie, that admirably courageous fighter on behalf of threatened women in Iran and wherever Islam oppresses them. Please support her on July 11th, wherever you are.

Act of solidarity by Nazanin Mohajer:

Statement from Ahlam Akram, Researcher and Writer: Stoning to death is the world’s oldest form of brutal execution; it is a cruel insane punishment that was derived from Hammurabi’s laws in Iraq thousands of years before the three Abrahamic religions. Later, It was adopted by Judaism... up until Jesus famous anti stoning statement "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’’. But it was re-enforced during the first years of Islam and practiced today in some fundamentalist Muslim States. Although there is no trace for this crime in any verses in the Quran... yet there are several talks about Omer Ben Al Qattab confirming that it was mentioned in some verses of the Quran, and that the prophet practiced it and all his companions followed his action... meaning that the entire community participates in this horrible act which dissolve the barrier of humanity in the community and the individual. And allows for a culture of violence in the society. The procedure is extremely barbaric and bloody, and plants the seeds for a culture of continuous humiliation and demonization of women. I urge all women to stand against it and urge the UN to ban any member state that allows it from gaining its membership. As well as depriving it from international community aid. For a universal culture of peace we need to confirm universality of human rights in particular women's rights.

Statement from Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner: Stoning is a relic of uncivilisation. A barbaric crime against humanity, it is uniquely cruel and sadistic. The people of the world - and the United Nations - must do much more to end to stoning – and all other forms of capital punishment.

Statement from Stephen Law, editor of the Royal Institute of Philosophy journal THINK: It is important we stand in solidarity with people who are being intimated and killed by stoning, often on trumped up or absurd religious charges.

Statement from George Broadhead, Vice-President UK Gay And Lesbian Humanist Association, Secretary UK Pink Triangle Trust: I was appalled to learn that stoning is a punishment that is included in the laws in six Islamic countries - Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Pakistan, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates - and some states in Nigeria. This barbaric punishment amounts to torture before death and should have no place in the laws of any civilised society.

Statement from Ghaffar Hussain, Quilliam Foundation: We all should move to reject ancient and outmoded punishments, such as 'flogging' and 'stoning' as not being consistent with human rights and the modern world. We must recognise that the spirit of religious rulings can be realised away from the influences of the medieval mindset. Furthermore, these punishments were abandoned by the Ottoman Empire during the last 300 hundred years in its imperial life.

Statement from Nick Nakorn: There are some things in the world that are almost too horrible to think about and this issue is one of them - it seems almost impossible that anyone could think that torturing someone to death could ever be a good idea.

From Shreen Ayob in Margate:

Statement from Amnesty International: We did issue this statement today which you are free to quote from, as it is a public document.

Canning Town Students protest over Iran Stoning case

Statement from Abolition UK: We at Abolition UK fully support the International Day Against Stoning and encourage everyone to take part in stopping this cruel, unjust and outdated practice. As a campaigning organisation that works to end the death penalty we are strongly opposed to stoning and all forms of execution. We look towards a day when all countries of the world recognise that legalised violence/murder has no place in a society that strives for peace.

From Jane Felder in Bournemouth:

USA

Statement from Cyrus Nowrasteh, filmmaker, The Stoning of Soraya M: Soraya Manutcheri was stoned to death in the village of Kupayeh, Iran in 1986. She was framed by her husband who wished to avoid support payments in his desire to divorce her. He used a legal system imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran called “Sharia” -- which justifies the torture and suppression of its citizens, especially women. Since Soraya’s case innumerable women have been silenced by a repressive regime. This must stop. I commend the StopStoningNow campaign for bringing attention to the continuing grave injustice of stoning.

Statement from Antony Thomas, Filmmaker, For Neda: I appeal to all those who care about human rights and justice to show their outrage at the treatment of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, as well as the wider issue of stoning as a punishment for those who break the medieval laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Although I believe that all civilised people should reject the death penalty in any circumstance, this particular form of killing stands out above all others as the cause of a slow and agonising death. It is not only utterly degrading for the victim, it degrades everyone who participates in this barbaric ritual as well as the regime that permits it.

Statement from American Humanist Association Supports International Day Against Stoning, Washington, D.C.: Today, on the International Day Against Stoning, the American Humanist Association is raising awareness of the brutal practice of stoning and demanding the end of stoning as a form of punishment around the world. The American Humanist Association stands beside the International Committee Against Stoning and its effort to eradicate the cruel tradition of stoning, an inhumane method of punishment which affects predominantly women and girls in developing countries. Fundamentalist religious zealots around the world are responsible for enacting laws based on stringent and unforgiving moral codes, sometimes punishable by sentences such as stoning to death. Women are stoned for “offenses” such as giving birth out of wedlock, extramarital affairs, and even in response to false accusations of murder. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been imprisoned along with her lawyer for four years, was sentenced by the courts of the Islamic Republic of Iran for various charges of being an accessory to murder, public indecency (for appearing in court without the traditional Islamic veil) and adultery. International pressure has resulted in a stay of her execution, but she and her lawyer still remain in prison. This pattern of indicting women on false accusations, and on grounds of violating strict religious requirements, places a heavy burden on women to obey laws set in place by the influence of male clergy and lawmakers. The American Humanist Association condemns the act of stoning as brutal and inhumane. Humanists worldwide strive to protect the dignity of all and work to protect those accused of crimes based on fundamentalist restrictions on women. We are proud to support the International Committee Against Stoning and the Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Campaign in their efforts to end this practice.
Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association

Statement from Atheist Alliance International: Stoning is a barbaric practice and should be outlawed immediately. It is disgraceful that such a crime is undertaken in the name of "justice". Sadly, stoning is by no means the only disgusting practice supported by Sharia law. It is too late to save Maryam Ayoubi but we can try to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and the many many others like her. Atheist Alliance International condemns stoning and is proud stand in solidarity with its victims and potential victims on 11 July. Tanya Smith, President, Atheist Alliance International

Statement from Fred Edwords, National Director at United Coalition of Reason: Stoning is the very symbol of what it means to be primitive, barbaric, and cruel.

Letter to Islamic Republic of Iran from Anne Slater, Radical Women, United States Section National Organizer: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, falsely accused of murdering her husband, is still languishing in prison. This is despite the fact that another person was convicted of the crime and has completed his sentence. Ashtiani has already suffered the cruel and inhumane torture of 99 lashes – twice – for adultery, which is not recognized as a crime in most civilized countries. Authorities recently said that no final decision had been reached on her stoning sentence and that she must remain in prison. Her lawyer, Sajjad Houtan Kian, also remains in prison for having had the courage to defend her and other women condemned to stoning sentences. He has been given the outrageous sentence of four years imprisonment, been put under a lot of pressure and lost 20 kilos (44 pounds) as a result of his devotion to his profession and his principles. The campaign to Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani continues to speak out in defence of humanity, and against the barbaric punishment of stoning everywhere. It has mobilised immense pressure against and condemnation of the Islamic regime of Iran from millions across the globe. It will continue to do so until you adopt humane punishments and equal laws for men and women. As opponents of the death penalty in the United States, as well as internationally, on 11 July 2011, the International Day Against Stoning, we demand the immediate release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her lawyer Sajjad Houtan Kian, and others facing stoning sentences. We also demand a complete end to the barbaric practice of death by stoning.

Statement from Fred Edwords, National Director at United Coalition of Reason: Stoning is the very symbol of what it means to be primitive, barbaric, and cruel.

Letter to Islamic Republic of Iran from Anne Slater, Radical Women, United States Section National Organizer: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, falsely accused of murdering her husband, is still languishing in prison. This is despite the fact that another person was convicted of the crime and has completed his sentence. Ashtiani has already suffered the cruel and inhumane torture of 99 lashes – twice – for adultery, which is not recognized as a crime in most civilized countries. Authorities recently said that no final decision had been reached on her stoning sentence and that she must remain in prison. Her lawyer, Sajjad Houtan Kian, also remains in prison for having had the courage to defend her and other women condemned to stoning sentences. He has been given the outrageous sentence of four years imprisonment, been put under a lot of pressure and lost 20 kilos (44 pounds) as a result of his devotion to his profession and his principles. The campaign to Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani continues to speak out in defence of humanity, and against the barbaric punishment of stoning everywhere. It has mobilised immense pressure against and condemnation of the Islamic regime of Iran from millions across the globe. It will continue to do so until you adopt humane punishments and equal laws for men and women. As opponents of the death penalty in the United States, as well as internationally, on 11 July 2011, the International Day Against Stoning, we demand the immediate release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her lawyer Sajjad Houtan Kian, and others facing stoning sentences. We also demand a complete end to the barbaric practice of death by stoning.

Statement from Meg Hixson: It deeply saddens me that in today's world, a world that continues to grow and change every day, that there is a need for an international day against stoning. No such day should have ever had to have been brought into existence. This barbaric punishment is an unfathomable concept to most but for those in the Islamic Republic of Iran, among other countries, this is a very dark reality that they face and it must be stopped! For years we have heard the voices of those calling for an end to stoning but their voices have been silenced by the oppressive regimes that continue to enforce this horrific act. We can live in a world where such an inhumane punishment no longer exists. So this year, on this International Day against Stoning our voices must over power the regimes that seek to silence them and we must continue to fight for those who have fallen victim to this brutal act and for those who face it now.

Statement from Ophelia Benson, Editor Butterflies and Wheels: We are often told that religion is all about compassion, yet it is the "devout" regime in the Islamic Republic of Iran that thinks stoning to death is a good, holy, mandated-by-god punishment. Stoning is a monstrous, disgusting cruelty; it should not happen to anyone, anywhere, ever.

Statement from PZ Myers, Scientist: I hope this is something we can all agree on. Today is The International Day against Stoning, a consciousness-raising event organized by Mina Ahadi, Patty Debonitas, and Maryam Namazie to call attention to the fact that some countries still practice public stonings as punishments for petty offenses against propriety. There are people in prison right now, awaiting that day when authorities drag them into the public square and people murder them by battering them with rocks... Make it known that the international community regards these barbarous, vile practices as heinous and contemptible. See link to his full statement here.

Stephen Hughes, posters has created posters for the day:

UZBEKISTAN

BBC Radio Uzbekistan did a piece on Stoning. See piece here.

For more information, contact Mina Ahadi, International Committee Against Stoning and International Committee Against Executions, minaahadi@aol.com, 0049 1775692413; Maryam Namazie, One Law for All, onelawforall@gmail.com; Patty Debonitas, Iran Solidarity, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com.

Today, 11 July, International Day against Stoning, actions and statements

2011-07-11T15:36:00.000+01:00

11 July, International Day against Stoning

LATEST STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS

Updated 11 July 2011

See Washington Post, International Day against Stoning on 11 July

See why 11 July International Day against Stoning

LATEST NEWS: The prosecutor of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has been banned from Britain. Moussa Khalilollahi is understood to be one of fifty senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran blacklisted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Friday 8 July 2011.

AUSTRALIA

Statement from Russell Blackford, author and philosopher, Australia: It is unacceptable that the barbaric punishment of death by stoning continue in the twenty-first century. I join with many others throughout the world in calling for an end to the practice of death by stoning, condemnation of any government that uses or condones the practice, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the immediate release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others currently sentenced to death by stoning.

BELGIUM

Ann Brusseel of the Flemish parliament: will issue a resolution for 21 July (Belgian National Day) urging the Federal government to take action on violations of human rights and crimes against humanity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Statement from Sonja Eggerickx, President, International Humanist and Ethical Union: I write on behalf of the International Humanist and Ethical Union to express our support for the International Day Against Stoning on July 11, 2011. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the global federation of Humanist and atheist organizations, representing more than 100 groups from 40 countries. As the voice for Humanists around the globe, we call on all Humanists and all people of conscience to support the International Day Against Stoning. We also call on all people of conscience to raise their voice to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who remains imprisoned in Iran facing the possibility of death by stoning. We recommend the International Day Against Stoning Website at stopstonningnow.com/wpress/4334 for advice and support in campaigning against stoning in general and for working to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani in particular.

Statement from Women Council of Belgium: Democracy contains the same values everywhere and we must defend it in the same way all over the world.

What reasonable person, whether European or from elsewhere, can still be in favor of stoning? Or female genital mutilation? Or hanging homosexuals? Or confining women at home? Women are more than half of humanity! Stoning is among the most the barbaric violence of the 21st century and massacres against women are perpetrated over and over again! In Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Yemen, to name the main countries, death by stoning is still a punishment to which women - mostly - are still subject to… And ironically among these countries some have signed conventions of Human Rights. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has languished for too many years in an Iranian jail. She has already been punished with 99 lashes administered in the presence of one of her two children. How can we speak of "justice"? Stoning in Iran is a political tool in the hands of a, religious, Islamic, archaic and repressive regime decided to oppress the society in one of the hardest ways that exist. In countries experiencing armed conflicts and in countries that have introduced Sharia law, violence against women is organized. Women who cannot defend themselves are the victims of fanatics and Islamic courts. Today the voice of Sakineh reached the world and today Sakineh represents all victims of obscurantism. In Belgium we demand the abolition of stoning, which is a brutal murder that nothing can justify. On the International Day against Stoning in Belgium we say stop stoning now!

Viviane Teitelbaum, President CFFB – women council of Belgium

BOTSWANA

Ferdinand Berkhof (Seheho) sent in a cartoon "worlds apart":

CANADA

Vancouver

Act of Solidarity on corner of Howe and Robson

12.30-15.00 hours

Contact: Zari Asli,zariasli@yahoo.ca

Ottawa

12.00-14.00

Location: in front of Parliament

Toronto

Statement from Farzana Hassan, Author: Islamic law, as interpreted and applied in Muslim countries renders women especially vulnerable with respect to sexuality issues.

For women, adultery, or a mere suspicion of adultery, can often land Muslim women in trouble with the law, particularly what passes for law in Iran, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Muslim world. The question then is: Why does an act that cannot take place without two parties often result in such dire consequences for women alone? The obvious answer is the relative ease with which guilt can be established for women rather than men. For example, pregnancy is often interpreted as proof of adultery, and rape is often construed as adultery. The fallacy occurs because Islamic law in many parts of the Muslim world makes no fundamental distinction between rape and adultery. Victims of rape often end up being incarcerated for adultery because they are unable to prove their innocence due to unfair religious rulings on women’s testimony. But even if the law established culpability equally to both sexes, one must answer a very basic question about the prescribed Islamic punishment for adultery. A man may marry up to four wives, over and above the concubines with whom he may have sexual relations. Doesn’t that reduce a man’s chances of committing adultery, which would technically be defined as sex outside of marriage? A woman, on the other hand, has no such options. She may express her sexuality only within the bounds of her marriage to one husband. Therefore, even a single encounter with a man not her lawful husband immediately brands her an adulteress. The man may escape the charge of adultery by having several partners and regarding them all as legal. Such inequality of opportunity, which imposes the charge of adultery on a woman much more easily, makes equal punishment utterly unfair. Jurists and other modern exegetes of the Koran have regrettably failed to recognize the injustice. Moreover, the terminology has simply been manipulated to legalize men’s multiple unions and criminalize the same in women.Islamic law, as interpreted and applied in Muslim countries does not take into account the inequality of opportunity between men and women to express their sexuality. What is deemed perfectly legitimate for men is criminalized for women, leaving them vulnerable to sexual offences more often and far more easily. Muslim countries must therefore repeal such laws that discriminate between men and women in this manner. Laws must be based on secular and humanistic principles clearly embodying equality of the sexes.

DENMARK

Statement from Helle Merete Brix, Writer: I will participate in an action against stoning, this barbaric punishment that should long ago have been abolished. Thanks to the organisations letting the world know about the women and men in prisons in Iran and elsewhere being condemned to this inhuman punishment.

FRANCE

Paris

Several French organisations sent a press release to the media, a letter to the General Secretary of the UN, letters to ambassadors of the countries where stoning is practised and

a special letter to the Iranian authorities. On 11 July, they will go to the Iranian embassy and give them the letter and hold a rally. The NGOs supporting the action are the following:

Ligue du Droit International des Femmes, Association créée par Simone de Beauvoir,

Mouvement Pour la Paix et Contre le Terrorisme, Regards de Femmes, Coordination Française du Lobby Européen de Femmes and Femmes contre les intégrismes

GERMANY

Frankfurt

Solidarity action

Hauptwache, 16:00 hours

Köln

Solidarity Action

Domplatte, 17:00

Statement from Hartmut Krauss, HINTERGRUND-Verlag: Das im Iran herrschende staatsislamistische System verkörpert die gegenwärtig wohl perverseste Verknüpfung von mittelalterlich-religiöser Barbarei mit technologischer (atomarer) Modernität. Deshalb ist es eine Schande, dass dieses Regime nicht mit dem gleichen ökonomischen, politischen und kulturellen Boykott sanktioniert wird wie früher das südafrikanische Apartheidregime.
Die barbarische Strafpraxis der Steinigung gehört ebenso wie das gesamte islamische „Recht“ und seine Befürworter und Anwender auf den Müllhaufen der Geschichte. Das Schicksal Bin Ladens und die Destabilisierung einer Reihe von arabischen Despotien sind hoffentlich Vorboten einer letztendlich auch im Iran unvermeidbaren säkularen Revolution, in deren Verlauf die religionsfanatischen Steiniger und Missetäter zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden.

INDIA

Statement from M Hasan Jowher, President, Society for Promoting Rationality: Society for Promoting Rationality is dead against all barbaric treatments such as stoning. This is a painful baggage of a part of human history and is best consigned to archives. We offer our total support to all movements for the banishment of all such forms of punishments smacking of cruelty and barbarity...

IRELAND

Statement from Conor Scott: I wish to assert my absolute abhorrence of the practice of stoning. It is a way of torturing people to death. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is NOT guilty of any recognisable crime but yet she risks being stoned to death for adultery (not a crime). She should be immediately released! The death penalty should be abolished in Iran.

INDONESIA

Bogor, West Java

Teacher and activist Rafiq Mahmood sent a letter to the Jakarta Post and Jakarta Globe on stoning: This Monday, as in previous years, there are expected to be worldwide protests against the sentence of stoning decreed against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani in Iran. She has been accused of murdering her husband without a shred of evidence, and the case has never been proved in court. She has been sentenced to be stoned for adultery purely on the "special knowledge" of a judge. Her execution has been held off only because of the weight of international pressure. She has had confessions extracted from her on television. She awaits a decision on her sentence. In the meantime she remains in prison. Her courageous lawyer, for no crime other than daring to defend her, also is in prison under a four year sentence. Although the focus of the International Day Against Stoning is on Iran and one particular woman victim of atrocious injustice, the events are intended to draw attention to the continuing presence in the world of this most barbaric and cruel form of state sponsored public murder. All forms of capital punishment are unjust, barbaric and cruel. They have no part in modern society. Stoning, however, is particularly cruel and discriminatory. It is a public display of the worst depths of human nature. It is designed and intended to punish an act of love. That an act of passionate love should be rewarded by an act of collective passionate hate does nothing for the benefit of society. It demeans and degrades us all. It is discriminatory. The evidence required against a man is far less than that against a woman. Women complaining of rape have to produce four male witnesses or eight female witnesses to the actual penetration. Even if she can prove DNA evidence, it is not enough for the sharia courts. Her accusation, however, is a confession, an admission that sexual congress occurred outside marriage. Enough to convict her. Even the sentence itself is discriminatory. If a man can manage to scramble out of the hole in which he is buried and run away, he is free. Men are buried up to their waist to cover the male auwrat. Women, to "protect" their modesty, are buried up to their necks. It is cruel. It takes a long time to die. There is a Goldilocks rule for the size of stones. They must not be too big – the victim must not lose consciousness too quickly from a heavy impact. Heavy stones might also fall too short of the target. They must not be too small – a small stone thrown with enough force could also be prematurely lethal. The province of Aceh unconstitutionally tried to introduce stoning. As more and more local governments ignore central authority and introduce their own brand of sharia sooner or later the issue of stoning elsewhere in Indonesia is bound to arise. Stoning is carried out in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Somalia. Sudan has vowed that with the independence of South Sudan the north will impose a stricter sharia regime. It is time that we said an unequivocal no to any attempt to introduce stoning into any part of the Republic of Indonesia and used our influence with other Islamic countries to eliminate this practice once and for all.

ITALY

Turin

Statement by blogger Gianni Verdoliva: Stones are for decorating gardens, not for killing women. Stoning is a barbaric practise that needs to be put in the garbage of history. In 2011 we can't afford to stay silent while women die or risk dying in this horrific way. Stoning MUST be outlawed and the law MUST be enforced everywhere in the word. Together we can do it. By providing aid and support for potential victims, for local activists and their families. In this battle we can't afford to pick and choose other supporters simply because we disagree with them on other issues. Anyone is welcomed. And also I point out that, when stoning is legally sanctioned and/or tolerated the state should be the object of diplomatic and commercial boycott and has to be shamed as a pariah state unless it changes. My support for your battle against stoning is heartfelt. As a feminist, as a humanist and as an independent free-thinker. I admire local on the ground activists and I wish them all the best. In feminist solidarity.

NETHERLANDS

Groningen

Act of Solidarity, 19:30 hours

Contact: Daniëlle Vermanen, via Facebook page

NIGERIA

Statement from Leo Igwe, executive director of the Nigerian Humanist Movement: In today's world, it is shocking to know that there are states like Iran where human beings are facing stoning sentences. And as often the case, this barbaric form of punishment is used against the vulnerable members of the population like Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her associates in Iran. I want to join my voice with those of other friends around world to upon the government of Iran to abolish stoning and execution of human beings. And to free Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Now. In solidarity with International Day Against Stoning. P.S. We are holding a humanist convention in Abuja in September 22-25. And there is a session on faith based human rights abuses. Please send a presentation on the international campaign against stoning.

SWEDEN

Malmö

Solidarity Action

Gustav Adolfs Torg, 17:00

London

Flash mob action at 18.30 hours

Trafalgar Square

Contact: Patty Debonitas, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com

Statement from Richard Dawkins, Scientist and Author: July 11th is the International Day against Stoning. It is organised by, among others, Maryam Namazie, that admirably courageous fighter on behalf of threatened women in Iran and wherever Islam oppresses them. Please support her on July 11th, wherever you are.

Act of solidarity by Nazanin Mohajer:

Statement from Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner: Stoning is a relic of uncivilisation. A barbaric crime against humanity, it is uniquely cruel and sadistic. The people of the world - and the United Nations - must do much more to end to stoning – and all other forms of capital punishment.

Statement from Stephen Law, editor of the Royal Institute of Philosophy journal THINK: It is important we stand in solidarity with people who are being intimated and killed by stoning, often on trumped up or absurd religious charges.

Statement from George Broadhead, Vice-President UK Gay & Lesbian Humanist Association, Secretary UK Pink Triangle Trust: I was appalled to learn that stoning is a punishment that is included in the laws in six Islamic countries - Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Pakistan, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates - and some states in Nigeria. This barbaric punishment amounts to torture before death and should have no place in the laws of any civilised society.

Statement from Ghaffar Hussain, Quilliam Foundation: We all should move to reject ancient and outmoded punishments, such as 'flogging' and 'stoning' as not being consistent with human rights and the modern world. We must recognise that the spirit of religious rulings can be realised away from the influences of the medieval mindset. Furthermore, these punishments were abandoned by the Ottoman Empire during the last 300 hundred years in its imperial life.

Statement from Nick Nakorn: There are some things in the world that are almost too horrible to think about and this issue is one of them - it seems almost impossible that anyone could think that torturing someone to death could ever be a good idea.

Statement from Amnesty International: We did issue this statement today which you are free to quote from, as it is a public document:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/066/2011/en

Canning Town Students protest over Iran Stoning case: http://www.london24.com/news/education/canning_town_students_protest_over_iran_stoning_1_956479

Statement from Abolition UK: We at Abolition UK fully support the International Day Against Stoning and encourage everyone to take part in stopping this cruel, unjust and outdated practice. As a campaigning organisation that works to end the death penalty we are strongly opposed to stoning and all forms of execution. We look towards a day when all countries of the world recognise that legalised violence/murder has no place in a society that strives for peace.

USA

Statement from Cyrus Nowrasteh, filmmaker, The Stoning of Soraya M: Soraya Manutcheri was stoned to death in the village of Kupayeh, Iran in 1986. She was framed by her husband who wished to avoid support payments in his desire to divorce her. He used a legal system imposed by the Islamic Republic of Iran called “Sharia” -- which justifies the torture and suppression of its citizens, especially women. Since Soraya’s case innumerable women have been silenced by a repressive regime. This must stop. I commend the StopStoningNow campaign for bringing attention to the continuing grave injustice of stoning.

Statement from Antony Thomas, Filmmaker, For Neda: I appeal to all those who care about human rights and justice to show their outrage at the treatment of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, as well as the wider issue of stoning as a punishment for those who break the medieval laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Although I believe that all civilised people should reject the death penalty in any circumstance, this particular form of killing stands out above all others as the cause of a slow and agonising death. It is not only utterly degrading for the victim, it degrades everyone who participates in this barbaric ritual as well as the regime that permits it.

Statement from American Humanist Association Supports International Day Against Stoning, Washington, D.C.: Today, on the International Day Against Stoning, the American Humanist Association is raising awareness of the brutal practice of stoning and demanding the end of stoning as a form of punishment around the world. The American Humanist Association stands beside the International Committee Against Stoning and its effort to eradicate the cruel tradition of stoning, an inhumane method of punishment which affects predominantly women and girls in developing countries. Fundamentalist religious zealots around the world are responsible for enacting laws based on stringent and unforgiving moral codes, sometimes punishable by sentences such as stoning to death. Women are stoned for “offenses” such as giving birth out of wedlock, extramarital affairs, and even in response to false accusations of murder. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been imprisoned along with her lawyer for four years, was sentenced by the courts of the Islamic Republic of Iran for various charges of being an accessory to murder, public indecency (for appearing in court without the traditional Islamic veil) and adultery. International pressure has resulted in a stay of her execution, but she and her lawyer still remain in prison. This pattern of indicting women on false accusations, and on grounds of violating strict religious requirements, places a heavy burden on women to obey laws set in place by the influence of male clergy and lawmakers. The American Humanist Association condemns the act of stoning as brutal and inhumane. Humanists worldwide strive to protect the dignity of all and work to protect those accused of crimes based on fundamentalist restrictions on women. We are proud to support the International Committee Against Stoning and the Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Campaign in their efforts to end this practice.

Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association

Statement from Atheist Alliance International: Stoning is a barbaric practice and should be outlawed immediately. It is disgraceful that such a crime is undertaken in the name of "justice". Sadly, stoning is by no means the only disgusting practice supported by Sharia law. It is too late to save Maryam Ayoubi but we can try to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and the many many others like her. Atheist Alliance International condemns stoning and is proud stand in solidarity with its victims and potential victims on 11 July. Tanya Smith, President, Atheist Alliance International

Statement from Fred Edwords, National Director at United Coalition of Reason: Stoning is the very symbol of what it means to be primitive, barbaric, and cruel.

Letter to Islamic Republic of Iran from Anne Slater, Radical Women, United States Section National Organizer: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, falsely accused of murdering her husband, is still languishing in prison. This is despite the fact that another person was convicted of the crime and has completed his sentence. Ashtiani has already suffered the cruel and inhumane torture of 99 lashes – twice – for adultery, which is not recognized as a crime in most civilized countries. Authorities recently said that no final decision had been reached on her stoning sentence and that she must remain in prison. Her lawyer, Sajjad Houtan Kian, also remains in prison for having had the courage to defend her and other women condemned to stoning sentences. He has been given the outrageous sentence of four years imprisonment, been put under a lot of pressure and lost 20 kilos (44 pounds) as a result of his devotion to his profession and his principles. The campaign to Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani continues to speak out in defence of humanity, and against the barbaric punishment of stoning everywhere. It has mobilised immense pressure against and condemnation of the Islamic regime of Iran from millions across the globe. It will continue to do so until you adopt humane punishments and equal laws for men and women. As opponents of the death penalty in the United States, as well as internationally, on 11 July 2011, the International Day Against Stoning, we demand the immediate release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her lawyer Sajjad Houtan Kian, and others facing stoning sentences. We also demand a complete end to the barbaric practice of death by stoning.

Statement from Meg Hixson: It deeply saddens me that in today's world, a world that continues to grow and change every day, that there is a need for an international day against stoning. No such day should have ever had to have been brought into existence. This barbaric punishment is an unfathomable concept to most but for those in the Islamic Republic of Iran, among other countries, this is a very dark reality that they face and it must be stopped! For years we have heard the voices of those calling for an end to stoning but their voices have been silenced by the oppressive regimes that continue to enforce this horrific act. We can live in a world where such an inhumane punishment no longer exists. So this year, on this International Day against Stoning our voices must over power the regimes that seek to silence them and we must continue to fight for those who have fallen victim to this brutal act and for those who face it now.

Statement from Ophelia Benson, Editor Butterflies and Wheels: We are often told that religion is all about compassion, yet it is the "devout" regime in the Islamic Republic of Iran that thinks stoning to death is a good, holy, mandated-by-god punishment. Stoning is a monstrous, disgusting cruelty; it should not happen to anyone, anywhere, ever.

Stephen Hughes, posters has created posted for the day:

For more information, contact Mina Ahadi, International Committee Against Stoning and International Committee Against Executions, minaahadi@aol.com, 0049 1775692413; http://notonemoreexecution.org/; http://stopstonningnow.com; Maryam Namazie, One Law for All, onelawforall@gmail.com; Patty Debonitas, Iran Solidarity, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com.

Washington Post, International Day against Stoning on 11 July: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/international-day-against-stoning-to-be-held-on-july-11/2011/07/05/gHQAR4MJzH_blog.html