Join us this Saturday, 23 April to demand an end to executions in Iran.
Iran Solidarity UK will be protesting on Trafalgar Square in central London.
Time: 2-4pm
Contact: iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
Thursday, 21 April 2011
STOP executions in Iran
Join us this Saturday, 23 April to demand an end to executions in Iran.
Iran Solidarity UK will be protesting on Trafalgar Square in central London.
Time: 2-4pm
Contact: iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Why Iran Solidarity Melbourne refuses to work with or endorse the Middle East Solidarity Coalition in Melbourne
In the wake of the inspiring revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, a loose coalition of activists in Melbourne came together to form the Middle East Solidarity group with the intention of supporting the righteous demands of the people of the Middle East for an end to the brutal dictatorships that rule the region. Iran Solidarity Melbourne, which wholeheartedly supports the democratic aspirations of the people of the Middle East, greeted the formation of such a coalition with enthusiasm and saw it as an opportunity to establish a cooperative and ongoing relationship with activists from the broader Middle Eastern community in Melbourne. Iran Solidarity Melbourne illustrated their support by enthusiastically participating in the meetings and public rallies that this coalition organised, our supporters and activists made up a significant proportion of the meetings and even spoke at one of the rallies amidst hostility from some demonstrators who continued to chant over our speaker in what appeared to be an attempt to drown him out in protest.
* The hostility with which we were greeted at the protest – while admittedly only shown by a small minority of the protesters - coupled with encounters we had with supporters of the Islamic Republic at these rallies as well as past physical clashes of other Iranian political activists with members and supporters of Hezbollah in other Australian cities were sufficient for us to worry about the political nature of the Middle East Solidarity coalition and the politics of the people who would be drawn to its public events and who could potentially use these events as platforms for propagating their ideas.
* Fears that the Middle East Solidarity coalition could become a platform for supporters of the Islamic Republic and/or proponents of theocracy and Sharia law in general mixed with concerns over the recent reactionary actions of Islamist currents in Egypt, which include attacks on the Woman's Day rally in Cairo, prompted Iran Solidarity Melbourne activists to propose that the Middle East Solidarity coalition take a stance on the issue of secularism and theocracy in order to clarify its position on the issue of Political Islam. During the discussions that ensued Iran Solidarity Melbourne suggested that it was necessary for a group that had already claimed to oppose other threats to democracy in the Middle East such as dictatorship and foreign military intervention, to also voice its opposition to the threat of the reaction of Islamists who sought to undermine the newly found freedoms of Arab citizens and that such a stance would be a necessary addition to the groups demands for the defence of democracy and freedom of expression. Thus Iran Solidarity Melbourne moved that the Middle East
Solidarity group support a separation of religion and state and to recognise
religion as a private matter.
* However, much to our surprise, it became clear in the discussions that followed that the majority of the activists in the group were hostile to the idea of taking a principled position for the separation of religion and state and the motion was lost by two votes. Most surprising was that the majority of the "socialists" present at the meeting which put the motion to the vote (on the 16th of March 2011) not only voted against the motion but were some of the most vocal opponents of the motion and apart from a couple of exceptions were virtually the only people who actually spoke against it. A great deal of arguments were made against the inclusion of the proposed demand by the socialists present which were opportunistic, politically short sighted, patronising, at times nonsensical and even racist with the main strategy of those who intervened being the obfuscation of the Iran Solidarity Melbourne proposal with the intention of making our motion appear as "anti-religion" to the few religious participants in the meeting in order
to secure their votes. Unfortunately a refusal by the meeting to allow for enough time to discuss the issues raised by the socialists meant that we were not allowed to respond to some of the arguments which were made against us making it impossible to have a meaningful debate about the motion which unfortunately appears to have been the wish of those who were running the meeting.
* After the votes were counted and it was revealed that the coalition would rather work with the proponents of religious government and Sharia law than take a principled stance against theocracy it became evident that to continue working with them would be in direct contradiction of Iran Solidarity Melbourne's principles which revolve around the promotion of human rights and opposition to the Islamic government of Iran and to those groups who either directly support the Islamic Republic or are sympathetic to it, especially if those groups end up bolstering the Iranian regime's position of power by installing similar theocracies in neighbouring countries which could provide the Islamic Republic with sources of political support and legitimacy. And it is for this reason that Iran Solidarity Melbourne will refuse to work inside Middle East Solidarity and will endeavour to expose the hypocritical nature of a group that on the one hands declares itself a proponent of human rights in the Middle East and a supporter of the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia and on the other refuses to take a stance against one of the major threats to both human rights and the revolutions there.
* Who are the Middle East Solidarity coalition
The Middle East Solidarity coalition is a loose coalition of various Australian left wing groups as well as groups and individuals from the Muslim and Middle Eastern communities who are from an array of different political backgrounds. These groups include Socialist Alternative, the Democratic Socialist Party, Solidarity, Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth (FAMSY), Australia Asia Workers Link, Egypt Solidarity as well as individuals from the Yemeni, Kuwaiti and Libyan communities.
While the unaffiliated individuals from the Arab and Muslim communities were split on the motion proposed by Iran Solidarity Melbourne, Socialist Alternative, Solidarity, FAMSY, the Democratic Socialist Party and Egypt Solidarity were almost unanimously against it with only one person from the Democratic Socialist Party voting for the motion calling for the separation of state and religion. Out of these the most vocal opponents of our motion were Robin Laycock and Mick Armstrong of Socialist Alternative, Judy McVey of Solidarity, Ahmad Huwait of FAMSY as well as Sue Bolton of the Democratic Socialist Party. Given the overwhelming opposition by the Australian left groups it can be safely assumed that the opposition of those present at the meeting was more than just the personal opinions of those present and that it reflected the political line of the respective organisations which those individuals represented and more generally is a reflection of the indefensible alliance of the Australian left and the forces of political Islam.
* The arguments
Some of the reasons for trying to push the Middle East Solidarity coalition to clarify its position vis-a-vis political Islam and the issue of secularism have already been touched upon. But the most important reason can perhaps be best understood with reference to what Mick Armstrong of Socialist Alternative said in one of the meetings in response to questions about why the group needed to clarify any of its positions at all. In his explanation regarding the need to clearly state that the group was against dictatorships, Mick Armstrong reasoned that it was necessary to dissuade "supporters of Mubarak" to come to Middle East Solidarity's public events. However unlikely that scenario, it is nonetheless one of the basic rules of political activity that groups need to define themselves against their enemies to clearly demarcate the border between their ideas and those of their political rivals.
* Middle East Solidarity claims to be a group which supports uprisings in all Middle Eastern countries which are plagued by dictatorial ruling political systems. This includes the uprising in Iran. It was expected that Iran Solidarity Melbourne would mobilise members of the Iranian community for Middle East Solidarity events and protests. However considering that the struggle of the Iranians is defined by their opposition to the theocratic Islamic regime, it is only natural that Iran Solidarity Melbourne would want to discourage people who are sympathetic to the Iranian regime from attending such events in order to create an environment which is going to encourage the participation of our supporters. It is totally unacceptable to have an ambiguous position on such a fundamental question so that both pro and anti theocracy/Islamic Republic groups can find a platform inside this coalition while taking the necessary measures to ensure that for example pro Mubarak people and groups cannot. Such a position belittles the revolt of the Iranian people and for us to endorse a group with such political orientation would be a kick in the face of those friends and relatives of our who languish in Islamic Republican prisons.
* Despite us clearly stating the intent behind our insistence on the motion none of our concerns, which were presumably deemed unimportant, were addressed. Instead of directly addressing our concerns most of the arguments against our motion were made up of unconvincing justifications for the need to support groups like Hezbollah, blatant attempts to misrepresent what Iran Solidarity Melbourne was actually proposing and a mindboggling attempt by Mick Armstrong to play down the negative implications of a theocratic government for human rights and democracy by arguing that Australia too was a "Christian country". Of course the fact that the Australian government, despite all its shortcomings, does not have an unelected body of theologians who scrutinise the compatibility of legislation passed by Parliament with reference to the bible to decide whether or not it should become law, seemed to have gone unnoticed by most people in the room.
* The main argument for choosing to not take a stance against Political Islam was that the group needed to maintain its broad appeal with Judy McVey stating that she did not want to exclude people who supported political Islam from participating in rallies. Of course our response to these arguments, had we been given enough time to properly address them, would have been that by remaining ambiguous the group wasn't actually appealing to a "broader" layer of active people. If the politics of one group with a set of political ideas (Such as Hezbollah) became more pronounced in the coalition it would naturally discourage the participation of other groups (such as Iran Solidarity Melbourne). This is not a "broad" coalition, in fact a broad coalition on such terms is impossible to create considering the divisive nature of Political Islam. It is likely that other people both of Middle Eastern and non-Middle Eastern backgrounds who may identify with progressive, secular or left wing ideas may have become attracted to the group if it supported secularism. We are already aware of a body of active Iranian people who refuse to take part in Middle East Solidarity events, not because they don't support the uprisings in the region but because they are suspicious of the political motifs and fear the presence of some of the participants of the demonstrations.
* Revolutionary activists in Europe and other parts of the western world have a tradition of standing up to counter-revolutionary political forces and fascism, it is common to take measures to discourage the participation of fascists from attending protests or otherwise organising on the streets. No one in their right mind would consider a "broad coalition" with fascists for the sake of increasing the public appeal of a campaign group. Such a move would surely drive away many who do not wish to be identified with fascism. Yet it is expected that progressive members of Middle Eastern communities form "broad coalitions" with the one of the pillars of counter revolution in their region, i.e. Political Islam. While such a strategy may have little implication for Australian activists it is unimaginable to those whose friends and families are fighting in their countries against the same forces whose supporters we are expected to form "broad coalitions" with in the West. So then it must be said that we are very much for excluding the supporters of and sympathisers with the Islamic Republic from participating in protests here in Melbourne and do not wish to enter into any coalition with any of them.
* Judy McVey also made arguments about the need to be able to appeal to "Muslims" and not alienate them by making them think that we were "against Islam". The racist undertones of such an argument must surely be obvious to all, but just to be safe I will spell them out. In Judy McVey's imaginary orientalist world not only do Muslims all want to see a marriage between politics and religion in their countries but even if they don't they are too stupid to not understand the difference between secularism, that is the separation of religion form state, and being against religion as a whole. Fortunately back in the real world many of the Muslims in the meeting showed that they understood the difference perfectly well despite Judy McVey's attempts to sow confusion about what we were really demanding.
Iran Solidarity Melbourne hopes that secular and progressive activists can form a new Middle East Solidarity coalition that is uncompromisingly for the defence of human rights and democracy and operates free from the influence of people who want to sell the brand of Political Islam as a cure to the political ailments of the Middle East.
Afshin Nikouseresht
On behalf of
Iran Solidarity Melbourne
Contact: iran.solidarity.melbourne(at)gmail(dot)com
* The hostility with which we were greeted at the protest – while admittedly only shown by a small minority of the protesters - coupled with encounters we had with supporters of the Islamic Republic at these rallies as well as past physical clashes of other Iranian political activists with members and supporters of Hezbollah in other Australian cities were sufficient for us to worry about the political nature of the Middle East Solidarity coalition and the politics of the people who would be drawn to its public events and who could potentially use these events as platforms for propagating their ideas.
* Fears that the Middle East Solidarity coalition could become a platform for supporters of the Islamic Republic and/or proponents of theocracy and Sharia law in general mixed with concerns over the recent reactionary actions of Islamist currents in Egypt, which include attacks on the Woman's Day rally in Cairo, prompted Iran Solidarity Melbourne activists to propose that the Middle East Solidarity coalition take a stance on the issue of secularism and theocracy in order to clarify its position on the issue of Political Islam. During the discussions that ensued Iran Solidarity Melbourne suggested that it was necessary for a group that had already claimed to oppose other threats to democracy in the Middle East such as dictatorship and foreign military intervention, to also voice its opposition to the threat of the reaction of Islamists who sought to undermine the newly found freedoms of Arab citizens and that such a stance would be a necessary addition to the groups demands for the defence of democracy and freedom of expression. Thus Iran Solidarity Melbourne moved that the Middle East
Solidarity group support a separation of religion and state and to recognise
religion as a private matter.
* However, much to our surprise, it became clear in the discussions that followed that the majority of the activists in the group were hostile to the idea of taking a principled position for the separation of religion and state and the motion was lost by two votes. Most surprising was that the majority of the "socialists" present at the meeting which put the motion to the vote (on the 16th of March 2011) not only voted against the motion but were some of the most vocal opponents of the motion and apart from a couple of exceptions were virtually the only people who actually spoke against it. A great deal of arguments were made against the inclusion of the proposed demand by the socialists present which were opportunistic, politically short sighted, patronising, at times nonsensical and even racist with the main strategy of those who intervened being the obfuscation of the Iran Solidarity Melbourne proposal with the intention of making our motion appear as "anti-religion" to the few religious participants in the meeting in order
to secure their votes. Unfortunately a refusal by the meeting to allow for enough time to discuss the issues raised by the socialists meant that we were not allowed to respond to some of the arguments which were made against us making it impossible to have a meaningful debate about the motion which unfortunately appears to have been the wish of those who were running the meeting.
* After the votes were counted and it was revealed that the coalition would rather work with the proponents of religious government and Sharia law than take a principled stance against theocracy it became evident that to continue working with them would be in direct contradiction of Iran Solidarity Melbourne's principles which revolve around the promotion of human rights and opposition to the Islamic government of Iran and to those groups who either directly support the Islamic Republic or are sympathetic to it, especially if those groups end up bolstering the Iranian regime's position of power by installing similar theocracies in neighbouring countries which could provide the Islamic Republic with sources of political support and legitimacy. And it is for this reason that Iran Solidarity Melbourne will refuse to work inside Middle East Solidarity and will endeavour to expose the hypocritical nature of a group that on the one hands declares itself a proponent of human rights in the Middle East and a supporter of the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia and on the other refuses to take a stance against one of the major threats to both human rights and the revolutions there.
* Who are the Middle East Solidarity coalition
The Middle East Solidarity coalition is a loose coalition of various Australian left wing groups as well as groups and individuals from the Muslim and Middle Eastern communities who are from an array of different political backgrounds. These groups include Socialist Alternative, the Democratic Socialist Party, Solidarity, Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth (FAMSY), Australia Asia Workers Link, Egypt Solidarity as well as individuals from the Yemeni, Kuwaiti and Libyan communities.
While the unaffiliated individuals from the Arab and Muslim communities were split on the motion proposed by Iran Solidarity Melbourne, Socialist Alternative, Solidarity, FAMSY, the Democratic Socialist Party and Egypt Solidarity were almost unanimously against it with only one person from the Democratic Socialist Party voting for the motion calling for the separation of state and religion. Out of these the most vocal opponents of our motion were Robin Laycock and Mick Armstrong of Socialist Alternative, Judy McVey of Solidarity, Ahmad Huwait of FAMSY as well as Sue Bolton of the Democratic Socialist Party. Given the overwhelming opposition by the Australian left groups it can be safely assumed that the opposition of those present at the meeting was more than just the personal opinions of those present and that it reflected the political line of the respective organisations which those individuals represented and more generally is a reflection of the indefensible alliance of the Australian left and the forces of political Islam.
* The arguments
Some of the reasons for trying to push the Middle East Solidarity coalition to clarify its position vis-a-vis political Islam and the issue of secularism have already been touched upon. But the most important reason can perhaps be best understood with reference to what Mick Armstrong of Socialist Alternative said in one of the meetings in response to questions about why the group needed to clarify any of its positions at all. In his explanation regarding the need to clearly state that the group was against dictatorships, Mick Armstrong reasoned that it was necessary to dissuade "supporters of Mubarak" to come to Middle East Solidarity's public events. However unlikely that scenario, it is nonetheless one of the basic rules of political activity that groups need to define themselves against their enemies to clearly demarcate the border between their ideas and those of their political rivals.
* Middle East Solidarity claims to be a group which supports uprisings in all Middle Eastern countries which are plagued by dictatorial ruling political systems. This includes the uprising in Iran. It was expected that Iran Solidarity Melbourne would mobilise members of the Iranian community for Middle East Solidarity events and protests. However considering that the struggle of the Iranians is defined by their opposition to the theocratic Islamic regime, it is only natural that Iran Solidarity Melbourne would want to discourage people who are sympathetic to the Iranian regime from attending such events in order to create an environment which is going to encourage the participation of our supporters. It is totally unacceptable to have an ambiguous position on such a fundamental question so that both pro and anti theocracy/Islamic Republic groups can find a platform inside this coalition while taking the necessary measures to ensure that for example pro Mubarak people and groups cannot. Such a position belittles the revolt of the Iranian people and for us to endorse a group with such political orientation would be a kick in the face of those friends and relatives of our who languish in Islamic Republican prisons.
* Despite us clearly stating the intent behind our insistence on the motion none of our concerns, which were presumably deemed unimportant, were addressed. Instead of directly addressing our concerns most of the arguments against our motion were made up of unconvincing justifications for the need to support groups like Hezbollah, blatant attempts to misrepresent what Iran Solidarity Melbourne was actually proposing and a mindboggling attempt by Mick Armstrong to play down the negative implications of a theocratic government for human rights and democracy by arguing that Australia too was a "Christian country". Of course the fact that the Australian government, despite all its shortcomings, does not have an unelected body of theologians who scrutinise the compatibility of legislation passed by Parliament with reference to the bible to decide whether or not it should become law, seemed to have gone unnoticed by most people in the room.
* The main argument for choosing to not take a stance against Political Islam was that the group needed to maintain its broad appeal with Judy McVey stating that she did not want to exclude people who supported political Islam from participating in rallies. Of course our response to these arguments, had we been given enough time to properly address them, would have been that by remaining ambiguous the group wasn't actually appealing to a "broader" layer of active people. If the politics of one group with a set of political ideas (Such as Hezbollah) became more pronounced in the coalition it would naturally discourage the participation of other groups (such as Iran Solidarity Melbourne). This is not a "broad" coalition, in fact a broad coalition on such terms is impossible to create considering the divisive nature of Political Islam. It is likely that other people both of Middle Eastern and non-Middle Eastern backgrounds who may identify with progressive, secular or left wing ideas may have become attracted to the group if it supported secularism. We are already aware of a body of active Iranian people who refuse to take part in Middle East Solidarity events, not because they don't support the uprisings in the region but because they are suspicious of the political motifs and fear the presence of some of the participants of the demonstrations.
* Revolutionary activists in Europe and other parts of the western world have a tradition of standing up to counter-revolutionary political forces and fascism, it is common to take measures to discourage the participation of fascists from attending protests or otherwise organising on the streets. No one in their right mind would consider a "broad coalition" with fascists for the sake of increasing the public appeal of a campaign group. Such a move would surely drive away many who do not wish to be identified with fascism. Yet it is expected that progressive members of Middle Eastern communities form "broad coalitions" with the one of the pillars of counter revolution in their region, i.e. Political Islam. While such a strategy may have little implication for Australian activists it is unimaginable to those whose friends and families are fighting in their countries against the same forces whose supporters we are expected to form "broad coalitions" with in the West. So then it must be said that we are very much for excluding the supporters of and sympathisers with the Islamic Republic from participating in protests here in Melbourne and do not wish to enter into any coalition with any of them.
* Judy McVey also made arguments about the need to be able to appeal to "Muslims" and not alienate them by making them think that we were "against Islam". The racist undertones of such an argument must surely be obvious to all, but just to be safe I will spell them out. In Judy McVey's imaginary orientalist world not only do Muslims all want to see a marriage between politics and religion in their countries but even if they don't they are too stupid to not understand the difference between secularism, that is the separation of religion form state, and being against religion as a whole. Fortunately back in the real world many of the Muslims in the meeting showed that they understood the difference perfectly well despite Judy McVey's attempts to sow confusion about what we were really demanding.
Iran Solidarity Melbourne hopes that secular and progressive activists can form a new Middle East Solidarity coalition that is uncompromisingly for the defence of human rights and democracy and operates free from the influence of people who want to sell the brand of Political Islam as a cure to the political ailments of the Middle East.
Afshin Nikouseresht
On behalf of
Iran Solidarity Melbourne
Contact: iran.solidarity.melbourne(at)gmail(dot)com
Monday, 21 March 2011
Successful conference on Women's Rights, Religion and Secularism
The 12 March international conference on Women's Rights, Religion and Secularism to mark International Women's Day which Iran Solidarity co-sponsored was a great success! Below are a few speeches from the conference, for the complete collection of speeches go to our page here
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Long live International Women's Day!
Today thousands of women and men are on the streets of Tehran and other cities to mark International Women's Day and to protest against the Islamic regime of gender apartheid.
We stand in solidarity with the people in Iran, their courage and their determination; we support them in their struggle for equality. On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, equality for women in Iran and too many other places is still not a reality.
Thus we can only look with utter disbelief and disgust at the UN having given the Islamic regime of Iran a seat on the UN commission on the status of Women.
After 100 years of celebrating international women's day, the very organ that is supposed to ensure women's equality and their advancement in the world invites a regime that has shown nothing but misogyny for the last 32 years to determine women's fate on a global level.
If the Libyan regime is (rightly) thrown out of the Human Rights council because of its actions over the last weeks, then the Iranian regime must be thrown out of UN Women for its track record over the last 32 years. By having governments such as the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Women organisation, the UN is making a mockery of those who stand up for women's rights and equality and who are being brutally and bloodily suppressed for it by the very regimes that get recognition from the UN.
There is no alternative but to kick the regime out immediately.
In its place should come a delegation of Iranian women’s rights defenders that represent the people in Iran and their demands.
When the UN welcomes regimes of gender apartheid in its halls and hands power to them, equality for millions of women becomes ever harder to obtain.
We stand in solidarity with the people in Iran, their courage and their determination; we support them in their struggle for equality. On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, equality for women in Iran and too many other places is still not a reality.
Thus we can only look with utter disbelief and disgust at the UN having given the Islamic regime of Iran a seat on the UN commission on the status of Women.
After 100 years of celebrating international women's day, the very organ that is supposed to ensure women's equality and their advancement in the world invites a regime that has shown nothing but misogyny for the last 32 years to determine women's fate on a global level.
If the Libyan regime is (rightly) thrown out of the Human Rights council because of its actions over the last weeks, then the Iranian regime must be thrown out of UN Women for its track record over the last 32 years. By having governments such as the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Women organisation, the UN is making a mockery of those who stand up for women's rights and equality and who are being brutally and bloodily suppressed for it by the very regimes that get recognition from the UN.
There is no alternative but to kick the regime out immediately.
In its place should come a delegation of Iranian women’s rights defenders that represent the people in Iran and their demands.
When the UN welcomes regimes of gender apartheid in its halls and hands power to them, equality for millions of women becomes ever harder to obtain.
Join us to mark International Women's Day
Join us to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day at an International Conference on Women’s Rights, Sharia Law and Secularism this Saturday, 12 March 2011.
University of London Union, The Venue, Malet Street, London WC1E
(Closest Underground: Russell Square, Goodge Street)
10.00-19.00 (Registration begins at 10am for a 1030am start)
Speakers include:
Ahlam Akram, Executive Committee member of the Arab Jewish Forum and Joint Action for Israeli Palestinian Peace (UK)
Helle Merete Brix, Writer and Commentator on free speech and the rise of political Islam (Denmark)
Philipp Bekaert, Member of Réseau d'Actions pour la Promotion d'un Etat Laïque (Belgium)
Julie Bindel, Journalist and Campaigner to end violence against women and children (UK)
Patty Debonitas, Spokesperson of Iran Solidarity (UK)
Nadia Geerts, Co-founder of Réseau d’Action pour la Promotion d’un Etat laïque (Belgium)
A C Grayling, Philosopher and Author (UK)
Maria Hagberg, Chairperson of the Network Against Honour-Related Violence (Sweden)
Anne-marie Lizin, Honorary Speaker of the Belgian Senate and Coordinator of the Association against Honour Crimes and Forced Marriages (Belgium)
Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson of One Law for All, Equal Rights Now and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (UK)
Elizabeth O’Casey, Vice-President of the National Secular Society (UK)
David Pollock, President of the European Humanist Federation (UK)
Fariborz Pooya, Director of Iranian Secular Society (UK)
Yasmin Rehman Campaigner against violence against women and for community cohesion (UK)
Gita Sahgal, Writer, Journalist and Women's Rights Activist (UK)
Nina Sankari, President of the European Feminist Initiative (Poland)
Sohaila Sharifi, Women’s Rights Activist (UK)
Annie Sugier, Cofounder of the League of Women’s International Rights (France)
Michèle Vianès, President of Regards de Femmes (France)
Anne Marie Waters, Spokesperson of One Law for All (UK)
There will also be a showing of Ghazi Rabihavi’s play Stoning - ‘A very strong and powerful piece of work, beautifully constructed’ as described by Harold Pinter.
Entry fee: £10 individuals; £3 unwaged and students.
To book a space at the conference, visit here.
You can register at the door on the day but pre-registration via email or telephone is preferred.
Schedule of the day:
1000-1030 Registration
1030-1040 Opening Keynote
1040-1220 Religion’s Impact on Women’s Rights (A discussion on whether religion is compatible with women’s rights, the limits of religious freedom and the intrusion of culture, religion and tradition on women’s status)
1220-1225 On the Alliance for a Secular Europe
1225-1405 Religion and Secularism (A discussion on whether religion and secularism are interdependent, complimentary or contradictory)
1405-1520 Lunch
1520-1700 Religion and the Law (A discussion on religion’s intrusion in the law and on the importance of secularism)
1700-1720 Tea/Coffee Break
1720-1850 Stoning, A play by Ghazi Rabihavi
1850-1900 Closing Address
The Conference is sponsored by the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, International Committee against Stoning, Iran Solidarity, Equal Rights Now and One Law for All.
For more information, contact:
One Law for All, BM Box 2387, London WC1N 3XX, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 7719166731
www.onelawforall.org.uk
onelawforall@gmail.com
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Call to save the life of lawyer Houtan Kian and Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani
Urgent Action: Iran
Call to save the life of lawyer Houtan Kian and Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani
2 March 2011
The Islamic Republic of Iran has sentenced Houtan Kian, the lawyer of Iran stoning case Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, to death by hanging. He had received four consecutive death sentences. Three were revoked; the fourth has been upheld. Reliable reports received by the International Committee against Stoning confirm this fact.
Houtan Kian was arrested in October 2010 along with Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s son, and two German journalists during an interview. Whilst the latter three have been released, Houtan Kian faces imminent execution. Moreover Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s death sentence has been confirmed. Upon hearing the news, it is reported that Sakineh attempted suicide but survived.
We are outraged at these heinous sentences of death and are calling for urgent action to stop their executions and secure their immediate and unconditional release. They have done nothing wrong. Houtan Kian’s only crime has been to defend a woman facing death by stoning. Sakineh’s only crime has been to be a woman in the Islamic Republic of Iran and under Sharia law.
Only strong international pressure will and must save them and the many others awaiting their death in the execution capital of the world.
Mina Ahadi, Coordinator of the International Committees against Stoning and Execution
Patty Debonitas, Spokesperson of Iran Solidarity
Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson of One Law for All
ACT NOW!
Write, call, fax, and email officials demanding an end to the executions and the immediate and unconditional release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her lawyer, Houtan Kian.
You can contact the embassies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, foreign ministries in your country of residence, MPs and MEPs, the Islamic regime’s judiciary, the UN, EU and others.
You can also do an act of solidarity in a town centre to highlight their case, take action via social networking sites and raise the banner of ‘Free Houtan Kian and Sakineh’ and ‘End Executions and Stoning Now’ at upcoming International Women’s Day events.
Please send copies of any protest letters, actions and emails, and acts of solidarity to iransolidaritynow@gmail.com.
For more information contact: Mina Ahadi, minaahadi@aol.com, Tel: +49 (0) 1775692413 or Patty Debonitas, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, Tel: +44 (0) 7507978745.
Below are some of contact details that may be useful:
UN
npillay@ohchr.org, urgent-action@ohchr.org, sg@un.org
Working group on arbitrary detention: wgad@ohchr.org
Human rights & international solidarity iesolidarity@ohchr.org
EU
EU Foreign Affairs High Representative
Catherine Ashton: COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu
Islamic Republic of Iran
Head of the Judiciary
Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737, Iran
Email: info@dadiran.ir or via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspx
First starred box: your given name; second starred box: your family name; third: your email address
Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Iran
Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737, Iran
Email: info@dadiran.ir or via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspx
First starred box: your given name; second starred box: your family name; third: your email address
Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Iran
Email: info_leader@leader.ir
via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter (Persian)
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri
Tehran 1316814737, Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com
http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter (Persian)
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri
Tehran 1316814737, Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com
Foreign Ministries
Austria: michael.spindelegger@bmeia.gv.at
Belgium: kab.bz@diplobel.fed.be
Bosnia & Herzegovina: info@mvp.gov.ba
Bulgaria: iprd@mfa.government.bg
Brazil: imprensa@itamaraty.gov.br
Britain: haguew@parliament.uk
Canada: cannon.l@parl.gc.ca
Croatia: ministar@mvpei.hr
Cyprus: minforeign1@mfa.gov.cy
Czech Republic: podatelna@mzv.cz
Denmark: udenrigsministeren@um.dk
Estonia: vminfo@vm.ee
Finland: umi@formin.fi
France: alain.juppe@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Georgia: inform@mfa.gov.ge
Germany: guido.westerwelle@auswaertiges-amt.de,
Greece: gpapandreou@parliament.gr,
Hungary: titkarsag.konz@kum.hu,
Iceland: external@utn.stjr.is
India: eam@mea.gov.in
Ireland: minister@dfa.ie
Latvia: mfa.cha@mfa.gov.lv
Malta: tonio.borg@gov.mt
Moldova: secdep@mfa.md
Norway: post@mfa.no
Poland: DNZPC.Sekretariat@msz.gov.pl,
Portugal: senec@mne.gov.pt
Serbia: msp@mfa.rs
Spain: miguel.moratinos@maec.es
Human Rights Office Email:beatriz.lorenzo@maec.es
Sweden: registrator@foreign.ministry.se
Switzerland: info@eda.admin.ch
USA: : http://bit.ly/e0A7i8 (online form)
Bureau of Democracy & Human Rights Kathy Stewart stewartkb@state.gov
Foreign embassies in Iran
Afghani Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (00) (98) (21) 88735040, 88737050, 88737531
Fax: (00) (98) (21) 88735600
Email: info@afghanembassy.ir
Armenian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (98 21) 66704838
(98 21) 66704833
(98 21) 66704833
Fax: (98 21) 66700657
Email: emarteh@yahoo.com
Australian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98 21 8386 3666
Fax: 98 21 8872 0484
Email: dfat-tehran@dfat.gov.au
Austrian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98/21) 22 75 00-38
(+98/21) 22 75 00-40
(+98/21) 22 75 00-42
(+98/21) 22 75 00-40
(+98/21) 22 75 00-42
Fax: (+98/21) 22 70 52 62
Email: teheran-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Azerbaijani Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (9821) 22 21 51 91/ 25 54
Fax: : (9821) 22 21 75 04
Email: azaremb@neda.net
Bangladeshi Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-88063073 to 76, 88059481
Fax: +98-21-8803 9965
Email: info@bangladoot.ir
Belarusian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98 21) 2270 88 29
Fax: (+98 21) 2271 86 82
Email: belarus-iri@apadana.com
Belgian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: + (98) (21) 22 04 16 17
Fax: + (98) (21) 22 04 46 08
Email: Teheran@diplobel.be
Bosnian Embassy in Teheran, Iran
Phone: + (98 21) 8808 69 29
+ (98 21) 8808 69 30
+ (98 21) 8808 69 30
Fax: + (98 21) 8809 21 20
Email: bhembasy@parsonline.net
Brazilian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (9821) 22753108-9 22752711 22753110
Fax: (9821) 2274-4009
Email: embassy@braziliran.org
Bulgarian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (009821) 8877-5662
(009821) 8877-5037
(009821) 8877-5037
Fax: (009821) 8877-9680
Email: bulgr.tehr@neda.net
Canadian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (011 98 21) 8152-0000
Fax: (011 98 21) 8873-3200
Email: teran@international.gc.ca
Chinese Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: 009821-22291240
009821-22291241
009821-22291241
Fax: 009821-22291243
009821-22290690
009821-22290690
Email: chinaemb_ir@mfa.gov.cn
Croatian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: 0098 21 258 9923
0098 21 258 7039
0098 21 258 7039
Fax: 0098 21 254 9199
Email: vrh.teheran@mvpei.hr
Czech Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: 98 21 - 2288149
98 21 - 2288153
98 21 - 2288153
Fax: 98 21 2802079
Email: teheran@embassy.mzv.cz
Danish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: + 98 (21) 2260 13 63 or + 98 (21) 2260 70 20
Fax: + 98 (21) 2264 00 07
Email: thramb@um.dk
Finnish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-2220 7090, 2223 0979
Fax: +98-21-2221 0948
Email: sanomat.teh@formin.fi
French Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: + 00 98 21 64 09 4000
Fax: + 00 98 21 64 09 40 92/93
Email: contact@ambafrance-ir.org
Georgian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: + (98 21) 2260-41-54
Fax: + (98 21) 2260-97-65
German Embassy in Teheran, Iran, Iran
Phone: (0098 21) 39 99 00 00
Fax: (0098 21) 39 99 18 90
Email: nfo@teheran.diplo.de
Greek Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (009821) 2050533, 2053784
Fax: (009821) 2057431
Email: embgreece1@safineh.net
Indian Embassy in Tehran, Iran Phone: 00-98-21-8755105-7
Fax: 00-98-21-8755973
Email: indemteh@dpimail.net
Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (98-21) 8871-6865, 8871-7251, 8855-3655
Fax: (98-21) 8871-8822
Email: kbritehran@parsonline.net
Irish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-22803835 (08.30-16.30 Sun-Thurs); +98-21-22297918
Fax: +98-21-22286933
Email: tehranembassy@dfa.ie
Italian Embassy in Teheran, Iran
Phone: 98 21 672 6955
Fax: 98 21 672 6961
Email: segreteria.teheran@esteri.it
Kenyan Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: + 98 21 22049355/22023234
Fax: + 98 21 22048619/ 22025792
Email: abbas@mfa.go.ke
Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, Iran Phone: (+9821) 2240 4081/3
Fax: (+9821) 2241 7921
Malian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98-21) 88720810
Mexican Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (9821) 2205-7586 a 88, *2205-7590*, 2201-2920/21
Fax: (9821) 2205-7589
Dutch Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: 0935 2111299
Email: teh@minbuza.nl
New Zealand Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-2612-2175 or +44-20-7316-8972 via London
Fax: +98-21-2612-1973 or +44-20-7316-8954 via London
Email: Tehran@nzembassy.org
Norwegian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+9821) 2229 1333
Fax: (+9821) 2229 2776
Email: emb.tehran@mfa.no
Pakistani Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98 21 6694489, +98 21 6694488
Fax: +98 21 66944898
Email: pareptehran@yahoo.com
Philippine Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+9821) 2266-8774 to 76
Fax: (9821) 2266-8990
Polish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98.21.8878.7262
Fax: +98.21.8878.8774
Russian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98 21 6670-1161, 6670-1173
Fax: +98 21 6670-1652
Email: rusembiran@parsonline.net
Serbian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98-21)-2412569 /+98-21-2412570/+98-21-2412571
Fax: +98-21-2402869
Email: scgambateh@neda.net
Slovak Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: 0098-21 / 22 41 11 64
Fax: 0098-21 / 22 40 97 19
Email: svkemb@parsonline.net
Slovenian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Embassy of Slovenia in Iran
Phone: +98-21-2802223
Fax: +98-21-2282131
Email: vte@mzz-dkp.gov.si
South African Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: + 98 21 270 2866-9
Fax: + 98 21 271 9516
Korean Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-8054900
Fax: +98-21-8054899
Email: emb-ir@mofat.go.kr
Spanish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98.21.225.68. 681 / 682 / 683 / 684
Fax: +98.21.225.68.016
Email: emb.teheran@maec.es
Sri Lankan Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: 0098 21 22569179
Fax: 0098 21 22540924
Swedish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-2371 2200/+98-21-2371 2200
Fax: +98-21-222 964 51/+98-21-222 860 21
Syrian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98-21) 2059031/2, 2052780
Fax: (+98-21) 2059409
Turkish Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98-21)-3118997 / 3115299 / 3115351
Fax: +98-21-3117928
Email: polerumi@irantradecentre.com
Ukrainian Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-8034119 / +98-21-8008530
Fax: +98-21-8007130
British Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: (98) (21) 6405 2000/(00 98 21) 6405 2264/11316-91144
Fax: (98) (21) 6405 2289/(00 98 21) 6405 2273
Email: margaret.mostoufi@fco.gov.uk
Venezuelan Embassy in Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-2205 1955 / 8871 5185 / 8871 2840
Fax: +98-21-2202 0584
Email: artur1@reacciun.ve
Islamic Republic of Iran’s embassies
Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan
Phone: 0093-2101391 - 5
Fax: 0093-2101397
Email: iranemkabul@mfa.gov.ir
Iranian Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia
Email: info@iranembassy.am
Iranian Embassy in Canberra, Australia
City: Canberra
Phone: (+61) 2 6290 2427, 2 6290 7000
Fax: (+61) 2 6290 2825, 2 6290 2825
Email: ambassador@iranembassy.org.au
Iranian Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Phone: +431+7122657
Fax: +431+7135733
Email: public@iranembassy-wien.at
Iranian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
Phone: (61) 3242-5733
Fax: (61) 3242-5733
Email: webiran@webiran.org.br
Iranian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
Phone: (613) 235-4726
Email: executive@salamiran.org
Iranian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Phone: + 45 +39160003
Fax: + 45 +39160075
Email: info@iran-embassy.dk
Iranian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Phone: 200794 - 712012
Iranian Embassy in Helsinki, Finland
Phone: +358-9-6869 240
Fax: +358-9-6869 2410
Email: embassy@iran.fi
Iranian Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 69 56 000 739 / +49 (0) 69 56 000 740
Fax: +49 (0) 69 56 000 728
Email: info@irangk.de
Iranian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary
Phone: 361+4609260
Fax: 361+4609430
Email: rahnama@iranembassy.hu
Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, India
Phone: +91-11-23329600 / +91-11-23329601
Fax: +91-11-23325493
Email: info@iran-embassy.org.in
Iranian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-331378 or 33139162-21-3107860
Fax: +62-21-3107860
Email: irembjkt@indo.net.id
Iranian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
Phone: (003531) 2885881/(003531) 2880252
Fax: (003531) 2834246
Email: iranembassy@indigo.ie
Iranian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
Fax: +3-34489022
Email: consular@gol.com
Iranian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: LOCAL: (020) 272.0343 INTERNATIONAL: +254.20.272.0343
Fax: LOCAL: (020) 271.3966 INTERNATIONAL: +254.20.271.3
Iranian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: 603-4251 4824/4829/4826/4830
Fax: 603-4256 2904/42532767
Email: ir_emb@tm.net.my
Iranian Embassy in Den Haag, Netherlands
Email: info@iranembassy.nl
Iranian Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand
Phone: (04) 386 2976; (04) 386 2983; (04) 939 4536 (Consular)
Fax: (04) 939 8108
Email: info@iranembassy.org.nz
Iranian Embassy in Oslo, Norway
Phone: (+47) 23 27 29 60
Fax: (+47) 22 55 49 19
Iranian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
Phone: +27 (012) 342 58 80 / +27 (012) 342 58 81
Fax: +27 (012) 342 18 78
Email: Office@Iranembassy.org.za
Iranian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: 46 + 8 + 63 63 600 / 46 + 8 + 63 63 630
Fax: 46 + 8 + 63 63 626
Email: consular@iran.se
Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +9712 4447618
Fax: +9712 4448714
Email: iranemb@eim.ae
Iranian Embassy in London, United Kingdom
Phone: (44) 020-7225 3000
Fax: ( +44)2075894440
Email: info@iran-embassy.org.uk
Iranian Consulate in Caracas, Venezuela
Phone: 0058-212 9921854
Fax: 0058-212 9929989
Javid Houtan Kian’s letter from prison
The following is the translation of a letter from Houtan Kian written in Farsi from prison in Iran. Please note that a couple of pages of the original letter are missing.
In the name of the God of our fatherland, I offer my greetings.
I must occupy your valuable time because of my enforced lack of contact with the outside world and the opportunity that has arisen through [name]. I ask you to do me the favour of relaying my voice to the foreign press and websites. If you refuse or even tear up my letter, rest assured that I will not be upset, since you owe me nothing and it is not your duty to go to great lengths on my behalf. Please forgive me for inconveniencing you. You yourselves know that my mother lived in America for some time, and only came to Iran because of my arrest and is now forbidden from leaving the country or giving interviews. Furthermore, the Germans who were arrested with me are still being detained by the secret services.
Since my arrest on 10 October 2010 I was kept in solitary confinement in ward 209 of Evin prison, until 15 days ago, when I was transferred to Tabriz prison (to the ward designated for the insane and HIV-positive intravenous drug users) where I have been forbidden visitors and communication. I have also been denied visits to a doctor because of the visible signs of torture upon my body. Therefore, through my meeting with [name], the God of our fatherland has afforded me the opportunity to be heard by the outside world. Because I do not want to implicate [name], I will explain the situation further on pages 2 and 3 in my own handwriting, imploring you to relay these pages to various entities enumerated below.
- The US Secretary of State (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- The Human Rights Watch (HRW) site (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- The United Nations Human Rights Council (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Ban Ki-Moon (Secretary-General of the United Nations) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Barack Obama (US President) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Ms Condoleezza Rice (former US Secretary of State) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Lawyers Without Borders (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Amnesty International (Mr Eric Dyke) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Ms Elahe Boqrat (independent journalist) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- Dr. Alireza Nurizadeh (translation and copy of the text).
- Mr Hossein Alizadeh, chief of the GAY centre (America). Lest this be misconstrued, neither I nor Mr Hossein Alizadeh are ‘gay’; that is simply the title of his designation.
- Ms Mina Ahadi (minaahadi@aol.com).
- Le Monde (France) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- The Guardian, London (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- The Turkish Cumhuriyet and Milliyet newspapers (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- The Italian AKI Farsi news agency (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Pope Benedict XVI (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- Herana (website). (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- BBC London (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- VOA USA and Radio Farda (after translation, and together with a copy of the text) (important).
- CNN (USA) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- FOX (USA) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
- CBS France and El Pais (Spain) (after translation, and together with a copy of the text).
I apologise most sincerely for the length of this list, but these will all be copies of the same texts, and I have given numerous interviews to all these organisations, who all know me well and are aware of my honesty.
I would be deeply grateful if you would distribute my open letter to organisations throughout the world regarding my situation from childhood to the present day and during my incarceration, which [name] witnessed and whose marks are still upon my body. Photographs of me are available on google images if necessary. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and remain fervently hopeful.
I will abandon courage, love and resistance; I will keep my eyes open. Though there be nothing to see but suffering and regret, I would not pay for my serenity with blindness.
Houtan Kian.
My letter follows in the pages below.
Invoking the God of our Fatherland, I offer my greetings.
Esteemed
I would like first of all to offer a summarised autobiography. I was born on 21 January 1974. According to a widespread Iranian (Tabrizi) tradition, my late father increased my age by one year in my birth certificate (as he did with his other children). On 14 August 1980, my father was arrested for supporting the Khalq-e Mosalman (Muslim People) party, and two days later, on 16 August 1980, he was executed by firing squad. The prosecutor who held sway and had unmitigated power in the northwest of the country was Seyyed Hossein Mousavi Tabrizi (head of the Majma’-e Rouhaniun-e Mobarez – Society of Combatant Clerics, residing in Qom), who is now a black-turbaned religious scholar. After my father’s execution, this prosecutor came numerous times to court my mother through coercion and threats. My mother recorded one of this visits on a cassette, which she sent to Mr Khomeini (the founder of the Islamic Republic), but to no avail. The late Ayatollah Montazeri, on hearing the cassette, explicitly expressed his displeasure to the prosecution office pertaining to the aforementioned personage, and consequently my mother was forced to marry one of the Imperial Guards (Immortals), Col. Amir Hossein Qasempur. The final chapter of the tale of Mousavi Tabrizi’s enormities, revealed during my childhood: from the prison records extracted by Col. Khosroshahi, it emerges that he was demoted to Sergeant following a charge of sodomy. (My father’s name was Majid Houtan Darzheh, known as Majid Kuzegar).
In 1993 I graduated from medical school (specialising in dentistry), ranked 64th of all graduating students of that year. Two years later, when I was an extern at the Arya hospital, I was expelled together with three friends of mine (Mohammad Tofiq, Mohammad Mehrab, and Mohammadreza Chehr). I should explain that Mohammad Tofiq is the son of Dr Tofiq who owns the Jahannama hotel in Tabriz; Mohammad Mehrab now peddles books in Sa’at Square in Tabriz, where the municipal building is; and Mohammadreza Chehr is the son of the owner of the Chehr bookshop who was executed on political charges. As for me, I was expelled around January/February 1995 by the head of the Shahid Beheshti (Melli) University Disciplinary Committee, Haddad ‘Adel. This was when Dr Haddad ‘Adel was head of the Centre for Persian Language and Literature. In order to continue my studies, I was forced to obtain a new birth certificate in the name of my stepfather.
In accordance with Iranian laws, because of my expulsion I was banned for studying at the university for two years. The reason for my expulsion was my publication of two books. The first was called Collected Socio-political Essays (published by Amir Kabir). It dealt with the struggle to counteract superstition and reveal the brutality cloaked in Islam and the true nature of the Islamic Republic. It contained 47 essays written by four authors. The second was called Solitary Dialogues (published by Talash). It was sociological and dealt with backwardness; I was its sole author.
During that year, in my time of tribulation I represented myself in the revolutionary court, headed by the cleric Haj Fazel, and began to study the law; of course, my father’s fate increased my motivation in this field. Regarding the two aforementioned books, in accordance with existing laws, I was initially condemned to death, but because I was under 18, I was sent to a juvenile reformatory and the sentence was commuted to seven months’ incarceration and flogging.
In 1999 I consulted with Shahram Jazayeri Arab, and was acquitted of all charges.
From 2001 I began working as a lawyer. Because I had obtained some inheritance from my mother, I took no money from most of my clients. As demonstrated from the available records (archive of court files and rulings and so on), most of my cases, because of my fields of specialisation (penal law and criminology), were political or related to murder, stoning, execution and so forth.
In July 2010, following the recommendation of the Judiciary because of my proficiency, I accepted to be the court-appointed defence lawyer of Mrs Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. I even paid all the requisite fees as well as her children’s rent and mortgage and other expenses between July 2010 until late October, when I was arrested.
In mid-August a Swedish journalist arrived in Tabriz. Her interpreter introduced himself as Ebrahim, and because of his insistence on interviewing me and some of the things he said, I became suspicious of his motives and refrained from associating with him. The fifth or sixth time that he called me insisting on an interview, I asked him to stop contacting me. Unfortunately, Mr Sajjad Qaderzadeh, encouraged by his mother from prison, granted him an interview that was entirely favourable to the Islamic Republic and the justifiability of stoning in Islam and in his mother’s case. (The text of his interview is in the possession of Ms Sima Oskuinezhad of the Committee Against Execution and Stoning in Sweden, and reported in an associated publication). It appears that the Swedish journalist was either intentionally or unintentionally misled. I conducted some research regarding the Swedish journalist and her interpreter. They were staying in the Shahryar Hotel in Tabriz, and I soon became aware that the so-called ‘Ebrahim’ was an official of the secret services called Hossein Kerbalai, whose brother is, in a manner of speaking, ‘teaching’ in New York having assumed the forged identity of ‘Kourosh Yaghmai’ (a security officer).
In any case, on 10 October 2010 I was arrested. One evening I was placed in solitary confinement in the secret service building located in Sa’eb Street. The following day, after having been informed, as explained below, of the charge against me by the interrogator of the Ministry of Intelligence in Tabriz, Mr Hashemzadeh (nephew of Hossein Shariatmadari, former interrogator and director of the Keyhan newspaper which adheres to the governmental doctrine of ‘velayat-e faqih’, the ‘rule of the jurist’), and after my home and office were sealed by the authorities and my car seized, I was conveyed by plane directly to ward 209 of Evin prison. (Since from that first moment I was bound hand and foot and blindfolded, I didn’t know whether the Germans were also transferred along with me; I should explain that later, after I was transferred to Tabriz prison on 22 January 2011, I realised that they had not been transferred to Tehran). I also became aware that from 11 November 2010 onwards, Sajjad Qaderzadeh had unfortunately been officially co-opted into collaborating with the Intelligence Ministry, to which he revealed all information at his disposal. (The case number in interrogation branch 4 is 890632).
I am kept in solitary confinement in ward 209 of Evin prison, in a new building that is approximately 100 stairs above the cellar level. All the signs of torture remain on my body, and following the orders of the interrogator of branch 4, my written entreaties have been ignored. I have been made to wear nylon underwear, and in the time of my solitary confinement in ward 209, from 11 October to 12 December 2010, I have been burned by approximately 60 cigarettes on my legs, testicles and feet (5 cigarettes there). I am only given one meal a day, in the morning; once it was a small piece of cheese, another time, three dates. I have lost 51 kilos, and twelve of my teeth have been almost completely broken by blows with boots, as has my nose, which bleeds permanently. At midnight, in cold weather, I was soaked with a fire hose and left, with hands and feet bound, in the courtyard until four in the morning, when I was taken to be interrogated. Consequently from 13 December 2010 to 10 January 2011 I was confined to a place resembling a hospital, whose location I still do not know. The marks of intravenous tubes are still visible on my arms and legs. From 12 to 22 January 2011 I was bedridden in the hospital ward of Tabriz prison, and according to the doctors there, it is miraculous that I came back to life.
I am currently in ward 7, which is designated for the quarantine of the insane and HIV-positive and hepatitis-infected intravenous drug addicts. This contravenes the regulations of the Islamic Republic’s own prison authority. The charges against me are simply that I bravely defended my client and my other clients, and caused the expulsion of four corrupt judges (Sedaqat, Bahush, Juyande and Afarin) from the court establishment.
9. The revelation of secrets and internal corruption (articles 501 and following of the Iranian penal code). Two issues. 1. The revelation of secrets (first of all, the late Zahra Kazemi, the Canadian-Iranian journalist charged with irreverence and photographing Evin prison (the prison wall from outside), was tortured and killed by Said Mortazavi. 2. The concealment of the records from the office of his friend and old university colleague, Dr Ramin Purandarjani (the doctor of Kahrizak), wherein the wife of Said Mortazavi, a doctor, described in detail the cause of death and ailments of political convicts. Purandarjani was killed with cyanide, and his family in Tabriz was not even given his corpse, which instead was buried in Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran after being kept for 60 days.
10. Given that I was forced to obtain a false birth certificate in order to continue my studies, this act was counted as a crime and added to the charges against me.
11. This act occurred many years ago when I was still a student of medicine, not law, and yet the authorities have claimed to find forged stamps and other implements of forgery, of which I truly know nothing, in my home in Tehran!
In conclusion, I am innocent, and merely because of my reports regarding the election fraud of 2009, which were conveyed to international human-rights organisations through film, photos and written documents leading to the expulsion of eight holders of high office in Mahmud Ahmadinezhad’s judicial and executive bodies, and also my difficulties with a clique of corrupt judges in
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Urgent Call for the immediate release of Houtan Kian and Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani; Executions imminent
PR No. 120
February 25, 2011
According to the latest news received by the International Committees against Stoning and Execution, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s judiciary has sentenced Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's lawyer, Mr. Kian, to four consecutive death sentences! Three of these have been revoked, but the fourth, which is to be execution by the method of hanging, is to be carried out. Mr. Kian has been told that his sentence will be implemented imminently.
Mr. Kian was arrested on October 10, 2010, along with two German reporters and Mrs. Ashtiani’s son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh. He was first imprisoned in Tabriz, Iran and was later moved to section 209 of the infamous Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran. Our latest news from Mr. Kian is that he has been under prolonged and severe torture, and that his body is covered with bruises and cigarette burns. He has been transferred to the prison in Tabriz, Iran where they are planning his execution.
Mr. Kian’s mother, who resides in America, is currently in Iran to help release her son; however, she has been forbidden to talk to reporters and she is not allowed to leave Iran. Her husband, Houtan's father, was executed by the Islamic Republic regime in 1981.
In a recent statement issued after the release of the two German reporters, the Islamic Republic has declared guilty and upheld the sentence for the fourth detainee, Mr. Kian.
Mr. Kian is a lawyer. He represents all political prisoners who are on death row in Iran. And his most famous client is Sakineh Ashtiani.
We ask all human rights organization, at both local and international levels, as well as all groups and individuals who have been active in advocating for Sakineh’s release, to urgently call upon the Iranian regime to immediately release both Houtan Kian and Sakineh Ashtiani.
We are very concerned and time is running out to save Houtan Kian.
International Committee against Stoning (http://stopstonningnow.com)
International Committee against Execution (http://notonemoreexecution.org)
Spokesperson: Mina Ahadi minaahadi@aol.com 0049-177-569-2413
Translation by Soheila Nikpour
February 25, 2011
According to the latest news received by the International Committees against Stoning and Execution, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s judiciary has sentenced Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's lawyer, Mr. Kian, to four consecutive death sentences! Three of these have been revoked, but the fourth, which is to be execution by the method of hanging, is to be carried out. Mr. Kian has been told that his sentence will be implemented imminently.
Mr. Kian was arrested on October 10, 2010, along with two German reporters and Mrs. Ashtiani’s son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh. He was first imprisoned in Tabriz, Iran and was later moved to section 209 of the infamous Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran. Our latest news from Mr. Kian is that he has been under prolonged and severe torture, and that his body is covered with bruises and cigarette burns. He has been transferred to the prison in Tabriz, Iran where they are planning his execution.
Mr. Kian’s mother, who resides in America, is currently in Iran to help release her son; however, she has been forbidden to talk to reporters and she is not allowed to leave Iran. Her husband, Houtan's father, was executed by the Islamic Republic regime in 1981.
In a recent statement issued after the release of the two German reporters, the Islamic Republic has declared guilty and upheld the sentence for the fourth detainee, Mr. Kian.
Mr. Kian is a lawyer. He represents all political prisoners who are on death row in Iran. And his most famous client is Sakineh Ashtiani.
We ask all human rights organization, at both local and international levels, as well as all groups and individuals who have been active in advocating for Sakineh’s release, to urgently call upon the Iranian regime to immediately release both Houtan Kian and Sakineh Ashtiani.
We are very concerned and time is running out to save Houtan Kian.
International Committee against Stoning (http://stopstonningnow.com)
International Committee against Execution (http://notonemoreexecution.org)
Spokesperson: Mina Ahadi minaahadi@aol.com 0049-177-569-2413
Translation by Soheila Nikpour
Friday, 25 February 2011
Create a storm of solidarity with the people of Iran
Dear Friends & Supporters
For 21 months now we have been mobilising international support and solidarity with the people in Iran in their struggle against the Islamic regime. Thanks to you, we have been successful in keeping the struggle in people’s hearts and minds. Our work more important than ever given that the protests in Iran are continuing and so is the brutal repression, including a massive wave of executions – at least 86 since the start of this year alone.
And just now, we have heard that the Islamic regime’s Supreme Court has upheld Sakineh Ashtiani’s execution sentence. Upon hearing the news, a desperate Sakineh attempted suicide but survived. We have also received reports that her lawyer, Houtan Kian, who was arrested during an interview with her son and two German journalists some months ago, has been sentenced to death (though the two journalists have returned home).
The killing is going to continue – unless we stop it. And we can. International attention and solidarity works. We need everyone on board to stop this tsunami of executions. Please see below our letter demanding an immediate end to executions in Iran, which has already been signed by Campaigner Mina Ahadi, Scientist Richard Dawkins, Nobel Laureate Harold Kroto, and Author Salman Rushdie. Please add your name to it too.
Our work inside and outside of Iran must continue. We are co-sponsoring a conference to mark International Women’s Day in London and are inviting you to come and join us on Saturday 12 March to highlight the impact of religion on women’s rights, secularism and the law and the need for solidarity with people struggling against it. You can find out more about it below.
As the new Spokesperson for Iran Solidarity, I’d like to ask you to keep the pressure on. Join us to create a storm of solidarity that cannot be ignored. We can and must stop the executions now.
With best regards
Patty Debonitas
Iran Solidarity
Spokesperson
Notes
1. Add your name to the letter below or email us.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the execution capital of the world. Already in 2011, it has executed at least 86 people after unfair trials and forced confessions under torture - three times last year's rate. It is the worst rise in executions since the regime's massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988.
There has been one execution every 8 hours and at least 8 of those executed have been political prisoners. Some of those killed by the state include: Zahra Bahrami, 45 year old Dutch/Iranian national who was arrested during protests last year, Ali Ghorabat for apostasy and Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaie for enmity against god. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani still faces execution.
We, the undersigned, demand an immediate end to this state-sponsored murder that aims to intimidate the protest movement in Iran and call on the United Nations and governments to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran for an immediate and unconditional halt to executions. A regime that slaughters its citizens must face diplomatic isolation.
Signed by: Shahla Abghari, University Professor, Human Rights and Women Rights Activist, USA; Nazanin Afshin-Jam, President & Co Founder of Stop Child Executions, Canada; Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson, International Committee against Stoning & Execution, Germany; Sayeed Ahmad, Coordinator, Ain o Salish Kendra, Bangladesh; Association Fenomena Kraljevo, Serbia; Russell Blackford, Writer and Philosopher, Australia; Caroline Brancher, UFAL, France; Helle Merete Brix, Journalist, Denmark; Roy W Brown, International Representative, International Humanist and Ethical Union; Richard Dawkins, Scientist, UK; Patty Debonitas, Spokesperson, Iran Solidarity, UK; Sanal Edamaruku, President, Rationalist International, India; Sonja Eggerickx, President, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Belgium; Caroline Fourest, Writer and Columnist, France; A. C. Grayling, Writer and Philosopher, UK; Rahila Gupta, Activist and Writer, UK; Maria Hagberg, Chairperson, Network Against Honour-Related Violence, Sweden; Trefor Jenkins, Professor Emeritus / Honorary Professorial Research Fellow, South Africa; Hope Knutsson, President, Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association, Iceland; Nevena Kostic, Women for Peace, Serbia; Hartmut Krauss, Social Scientist, Germany; Harold Kroto, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, USA; Terry Liddle, Freethought History Research Group, UK; Anne-Marie Lizin, Honorary Speaker of the Belgian Senate, Belgium; Marieme Helie Lucas, Founder, Secularism Is A Women's Issue, France; Ed McArthur, Freethought History Research Group, UK; Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson, One Law For All Campaign, Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran, and Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, UK; Salman Rushdie, Writer, USA; Daniel Salvatore Schiffer, Philosopher and Writer, Belgium; Terry Sanderson, President, National Secular Society, London, UK; Michael Schmidt-Salomon, Spokesperson of the Giordano Bruno Foundation, Germany; Udo Schuklenk, Professor of Philosophy and Ontario Research Chair in Bioethics, Canada; Siba Shakib, Filmmaker and Writer, USA; Joan Smith, Writer and Activist, London, UK; Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association, USA; Annie Sugier, President, Ligue du Droit International des Femmes, France; Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Campaigner, UK; Giti Thadani, Writer and Filmmaker, India; Michele Vianes, President, Regards de Femmes, France; Eli Vieira, President, Secular Humanist League of Brazil, Brazil; and Women in Black, Belgrade, Serbia.
2. Join us at a the International Conference on Women’s Rights, Sharia Law and Secularism, which will be held at the University of London Union, The Venue, Malet Street, London WC1E, on 12 March from 1000-1900 (Registration begins at 10am for a 1030am start). For information and to register click here.
3. Please support our work! We welcome in kind and financial donations. You can donate here.
4. Get in touch and join us! Contact Patty Debonitas, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, Tel: +44 (0) 7507978745
Or visit our site where you will also find contact details of our international branches. Patty Debonitas has taken over the role of Spokesperson from founder and previous Spokesperson Maryam Namazie.
For 21 months now we have been mobilising international support and solidarity with the people in Iran in their struggle against the Islamic regime. Thanks to you, we have been successful in keeping the struggle in people’s hearts and minds. Our work more important than ever given that the protests in Iran are continuing and so is the brutal repression, including a massive wave of executions – at least 86 since the start of this year alone.
And just now, we have heard that the Islamic regime’s Supreme Court has upheld Sakineh Ashtiani’s execution sentence. Upon hearing the news, a desperate Sakineh attempted suicide but survived. We have also received reports that her lawyer, Houtan Kian, who was arrested during an interview with her son and two German journalists some months ago, has been sentenced to death (though the two journalists have returned home).
The killing is going to continue – unless we stop it. And we can. International attention and solidarity works. We need everyone on board to stop this tsunami of executions. Please see below our letter demanding an immediate end to executions in Iran, which has already been signed by Campaigner Mina Ahadi, Scientist Richard Dawkins, Nobel Laureate Harold Kroto, and Author Salman Rushdie. Please add your name to it too.
Our work inside and outside of Iran must continue. We are co-sponsoring a conference to mark International Women’s Day in London and are inviting you to come and join us on Saturday 12 March to highlight the impact of religion on women’s rights, secularism and the law and the need for solidarity with people struggling against it. You can find out more about it below.
As the new Spokesperson for Iran Solidarity, I’d like to ask you to keep the pressure on. Join us to create a storm of solidarity that cannot be ignored. We can and must stop the executions now.
With best regards
Patty Debonitas
Iran Solidarity
Spokesperson
Notes
1. Add your name to the letter below or email us.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the execution capital of the world. Already in 2011, it has executed at least 86 people after unfair trials and forced confessions under torture - three times last year's rate. It is the worst rise in executions since the regime's massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988.
There has been one execution every 8 hours and at least 8 of those executed have been political prisoners. Some of those killed by the state include: Zahra Bahrami, 45 year old Dutch/Iranian national who was arrested during protests last year, Ali Ghorabat for apostasy and Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaie for enmity against god. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani still faces execution.
We, the undersigned, demand an immediate end to this state-sponsored murder that aims to intimidate the protest movement in Iran and call on the United Nations and governments to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran for an immediate and unconditional halt to executions. A regime that slaughters its citizens must face diplomatic isolation.
Signed by: Shahla Abghari, University Professor, Human Rights and Women Rights Activist, USA; Nazanin Afshin-Jam, President & Co Founder of Stop Child Executions, Canada; Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson, International Committee against Stoning & Execution, Germany; Sayeed Ahmad, Coordinator, Ain o Salish Kendra, Bangladesh; Association Fenomena Kraljevo, Serbia; Russell Blackford, Writer and Philosopher, Australia; Caroline Brancher, UFAL, France; Helle Merete Brix, Journalist, Denmark; Roy W Brown, International Representative, International Humanist and Ethical Union; Richard Dawkins, Scientist, UK; Patty Debonitas, Spokesperson, Iran Solidarity, UK; Sanal Edamaruku, President, Rationalist International, India; Sonja Eggerickx, President, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Belgium; Caroline Fourest, Writer and Columnist, France; A. C. Grayling, Writer and Philosopher, UK; Rahila Gupta, Activist and Writer, UK; Maria Hagberg, Chairperson, Network Against Honour-Related Violence, Sweden; Trefor Jenkins, Professor Emeritus / Honorary Professorial Research Fellow, South Africa; Hope Knutsson, President, Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association, Iceland; Nevena Kostic, Women for Peace, Serbia; Hartmut Krauss, Social Scientist, Germany; Harold Kroto, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, USA; Terry Liddle, Freethought History Research Group, UK; Anne-Marie Lizin, Honorary Speaker of the Belgian Senate, Belgium; Marieme Helie Lucas, Founder, Secularism Is A Women's Issue, France; Ed McArthur, Freethought History Research Group, UK; Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson, One Law For All Campaign, Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran, and Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, UK; Salman Rushdie, Writer, USA; Daniel Salvatore Schiffer, Philosopher and Writer, Belgium; Terry Sanderson, President, National Secular Society, London, UK; Michael Schmidt-Salomon, Spokesperson of the Giordano Bruno Foundation, Germany; Udo Schuklenk, Professor of Philosophy and Ontario Research Chair in Bioethics, Canada; Siba Shakib, Filmmaker and Writer, USA; Joan Smith, Writer and Activist, London, UK; Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director, American Humanist Association, USA; Annie Sugier, President, Ligue du Droit International des Femmes, France; Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Campaigner, UK; Giti Thadani, Writer and Filmmaker, India; Michele Vianes, President, Regards de Femmes, France; Eli Vieira, President, Secular Humanist League of Brazil, Brazil; and Women in Black, Belgrade, Serbia.
2. Join us at a the International Conference on Women’s Rights, Sharia Law and Secularism, which will be held at the University of London Union, The Venue, Malet Street, London WC1E, on 12 March from 1000-1900 (Registration begins at 10am for a 1030am start). For information and to register click here.
3. Please support our work! We welcome in kind and financial donations. You can donate here.
4. Get in touch and join us! Contact Patty Debonitas, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, Tel: +44 (0) 7507978745
Or visit our site where you will also find contact details of our international branches. Patty Debonitas has taken over the role of Spokesperson from founder and previous Spokesperson Maryam Namazie.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
12 March conference to mark International Women's Day
A reminder for anyone interested in the impact of religous laws on women's rights, sharia law and secularism - Iran Solidarity is co-sponsoring the 12 March conference in London at University of London Union to mark International Women's Day.
The conference will have sessions on Religion’s Impact on Women’s Rights (A discussion on whether religion is compatible with women’s rights, the limits of religious freedom and the intrusion of culture, religion and tradition on women’s status); Religion and Secularism (A discussion on whether religion and secularism are interdependent, complimentary or contradictory); and Religion and the Law (A discussion on religion’s intrusion in the law and on the importance of secularism).
A C Grayling will deliver the keynote address.
There will also be a showing of Ghazi Rabihavi’s play ‘Stoning’ – ‘A very strong and powerful piece of work, beautifully constructed’ as described by Harold Pinter.
Speakers include Helle Merete Brix (Journalist); Patty Debonitas (Iran Solidarity); Nadia Geerts/ Philipp Bekaert (Rappel); Maria Hagberg (Network against Honour-related Violence); Anne-marie Lizin (Honorary Speaker of Belgian Senate); Maryam Namazie (One Law for All and Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain); Elizabeth O’Casey (National Secular Society Vice President); Yasmin Rehman (Women’s Rights Activist); Gita Sahgal (Women’s Rights Campaigner); Nina Sankari (European Feminist Initiative Poland); Sohaila Sharifi (Equal Rights Now); Annie Sugier (la ligue du Droit International des Femmes); Michele Vianes (Regard des Femmes); Anne Marie Waters (One Law for All); and Linda Weil-Curiel (Lawyer).
12 March 2011, 10.00-19.00 hours, University of London Union, The Venue, Malet Street, London WC1E
Entry fee: £10 individuals; £3 unwaged and students.
For a booking form and more info go to OneLawForAll
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Sakineh Ashtiani tried to commit suicide
Sakineh Ashtiani has tried to commit suicide in prison as the supreme court in Tehran has upheld her sentence of execution by stoning. News release from International committee against Stoning, will publish English PR once released.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
20 February 2011 in Iran
In Tehran people shout: 'Mubarak, Ben Ali, Seyyed Ali is next'
CNN report on today
In Shiraz people are being chased by security forces on motorbikes
CNN report on today
In Shiraz people are being chased by security forces on motorbikes
Thursday, 10 February 2011
22 BAHMAN PROTEST IN LONDON
Friday 11 February 2011 (22 Bahman 1389 in the Persian calendar) marks the 32nd anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran Solidarity UK will join other groups outside the Iranian embassy in London to protest against 32 years of tyranny and dictatorship.
We do not recognize the legitimacy of this regime, nor the legitimacy of their embassy in London and their propaganda channel Press TV.
Shut down the embassy!
Shut down Press TV!
Join us on Friday 11 February 2011 at 6 pm outside the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (16 Princes Gate, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1PT)!
Iran Solidarity UK will join other groups outside the Iranian embassy in London to protest against 32 years of tyranny and dictatorship.
We do not recognize the legitimacy of this regime, nor the legitimacy of their embassy in London and their propaganda channel Press TV.
Shut down the embassy!
Shut down Press TV!
Join us on Friday 11 February 2011 at 6 pm outside the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (16 Princes Gate, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1PT)!
Monday, 31 January 2011
29 January - thank You & let's continue working together
Thank YOU all for making 29 January such a successful day of protest across the world! Just have a look at all those people coming out to protest. Let's continue working together to end executions in Iran and to free poltical prisoners!
January 29 global day of protest against executions - videos
Kabul:
Herat:
Hamburg:
Frankfurt:
Cologne:
Den Hague
London:
Toronto:
Vancouver:
Gothenburg:
Stockholm:
Herat:
Hamburg:
Frankfurt:
Cologne:
Den Hague
London:
Toronto:
Vancouver:
Gothenburg:
Stockholm:
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