Shahla Jahed to be executed tomorrow

According to information received by the International Committee against Execution Shahla Jahed’s family and lawyer have been informed that Shahla will be executed tomorrow, Wednesday 1 December, in Evin prison. We are asking everyone to immediately voice your protest by calling, faxing and emailing your protests to the Islamic Regime’s authorities in Iran as well as their embassies abroad and to also lobby your political representatives, MPs, MEPs and UN bodies. Please do it right now to save Shahla Jahed from execution.

Her voice can be heard here:



ACT NOW!

1. Send letters of condemnation to the Islamic regime of Iran right away:

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

Head of the Judiciary in East Azerbaijan Province
Malek-Ashtar Sharifi
Office of the Head of the Judiciary in Tabriz
East Azerbaijan, Iran

Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Iran
Email: 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

2. At the UN

inquiries@un.org

urgent-action@ohchr.org

3. Iranian embassies abroad

Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan
Shir Pur SQ . Share Now Ave.
Eastern Kabul, Afghanistan
Tel: 0093-2101391/5
Fax: 0093-2101397

Iranian Embassy in Canberra, Australia
25 Culgoa Circuit
O'Malley ACT 2606
P.O. Box 705, Mawson
ACT 2607
Canberra
Tel: (+61) 2 6290 2427, 6290 7000
Fax: (+61) 2 6290 2825, 6290 2825

Iranian Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Jauresgasse 9 - A1030
Vienna, Austria
Tel: +431+7122657
Fax: +431+7135733

Iranian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
SES av. das Naes, Quadra 809 - Lote 31
Brasilia-D.F. CEP: 70421-900
Tel: (61) 3242-5733
Fax: (61) 3242-5733

Iranian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada
245 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2K2 Canada
Tel: (613) 235-4726

Iranian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Svanemollevej No. 48, 2100 kbh Ø
Copenhagen
Tel: + 45 +39160003
Fax: + 45 +39160075

Iranian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
P.O.Box : 70488
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: 200794 - 712012

Iranian Embassy in Helsinki, Finland
Kulosaarentie 9, 00570
Helsinki, Finland
Tel: +358-9-6869 240
Fax: +358-9-6869 2410

Iranian Embassy in Berlin, Germany

info@iranbotschaft.de

Podbielskiallee 67, 14195 Berlin

Tel: 0049 (30) 84353399 / 0049 (30) 843530

Fax: 0049 (30) 84353535

Iranian Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany
Raimundstraß 90
Frankfurt
Tel: +49 (0) 69 56 000 739/40
Fax: +49 (0) 69 56 000 728

Iranian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary
1143 Stefania ut 97
Budapest
Tel: 361+4609260
Fax: 361+4609430

Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, India
5, Barakhamba Road
New Delhi # 110001
India
Tel: +91-11-23329600/1
Fax: +91-11-23325493

Iranian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto 110, Menteng
Jakarta 10310
Indonesia
Tel: +62-21-331378, 3107860
Fax: +62-21-3107860

Iranian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
72 Mount Merrion Ave.
Blackrock Co.
Dublin, Ireland
Tel: (003531) 2885881, 2880252
Fax: (003531) 2834246

Iranian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
No. 1, Lrg Uthant Satu
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan
Tel: +3-4251 5576

Iranian Embassy in Oslo, Norway
Drammens veien 88 E
0244 Oslo
Norway
Tel: (+47) 23 27 29 60
Fax: (+47) 22 55 49 19

Iranian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
1002 Schoeman St. Hatfield
0083 Pretoria , South Africa
Tel: +27 (012) 342 58 80/1
Fax: +27 (012) 342 18 78

Iranian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden

ambassador@iran.se
Elfviksvägen Västra Yttringe gård LIDINGÖ
Stockholm
Tel: 46 + 8 + 63 63 600/30
Fax: 46 + 8 + 63 63 626

Iranian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
P.O. Box 4080 Abu Dhabi
UAE
Tel: +9712 4447618
Fax: +9712 4448714

Iranian Embassy in London, United Kingdom

info@iran-embassy.org.uk

16 Prince's Gate

London SW7 1PT
UK
Tel: (44) 20-7225 3000
Fax: ( +44) 20 7589 4440

Iranian Consulate in Caracas, Venezuela
Quinta Onmat Calle Kemal Ataturk Urb.
Valle Arriba, Caracas
Venezuela
Tel: 0058-212 9921854
Fax: 0058-212 9929989

For more information, contact:

Mina Ahadi, International Committee against Execution and International Committee against Stoning

minaahadi@aol.com; Tel: +49 (0) 1775692413,

http://stopstonningnow.com, http://notonemoreexecution.org

Maryam Namazie, Iran Solidarity,

iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, +44 7719166731,

www.iransolidarity.org.uk, iransolidarity.blogspot.com

Some background on Shahla Jahed’s case

http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/4263

Shahla Jahed's message from Evin prison

A few minutes ago, Shahla Jahed called me from Evin prison on the phone, and while thanking for all of the efforts that have been made to save her, said that she has received the execution sentence [they have given her the paper], and she is supposed to be hanged tomorrow morning. I call upon all of the people of the world, all political parties and organizations, and all of the governments, that in these moments of crisis, with all of their power, and in whatever way, try to halt this act of murder. There is little hope left to save Shahla, but it is still possible and it is our duty to prevent this from happening. Shahla did not call only to say goodbye. This, her last message, in fact is a call to us to do our utmost to save her life.

Mina Ahadi
Spokesperson,
International Committee against Execution
Thursday, November 30, 2010
9 Azar 1389
2:00 Tehran local time


دقايقي قبل شهلا جاهد از زندان اوين تلفني با من تماس گرفت و ضمن تشکر از تلاشهايي که تا کنون براي نجات او انجام گرفته است٬ گفت که حکم اجراي اعدامش را دريافت کرده است و قرار است فردا صبح به دار آويخته شود.

من از همه مردم جهان٬ از همه احزاب و سازمانها و از همه دولتها ميخواهم که در اين لحظات حساس با تمام قدرت و به هر شيوه اي که ميتوانند تلاش کنند تا جلوي اين جنايت را بگيريم.

اميد کمي براي نجات شهلا باقي مانده است اما هنوز ميتوان و ما موظفيم مانع اجراي اين حکم بشويم.
شهلا تنها براي خداحافظي زنگ نزد٬ اين آخرين پيام او٬ در واقع دعوتي از ما است تا تمام کوشش خود را براي نجات او بکار بگيريم.

مينا احدي
سخنگوي کميته بين الملي عليه اعدام
سه شنبه 30 نوامبر 2010
9 آذر 1389

Art Competition Winners and Exhibition

See art competition winners and a report of the packed opening night for the Passion for Freedom art exhibition in London here.

The hope of saving Sakineh's life is higher than ever

PR No. 102
22 November 2010

The International Campaign to "Save Sakineh" continues in full force

Today, Mohammad Javad Larijani, the head of human rights council in the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, announced via Press TV that there is a good chance of saving Sakineh's life. But according to existing conflicting statements from various government officials in the Islamic Republic of Iran, nobody is absolutely certain that Sakineh's life will be spared. Larijani's comments can be interpreted that there is a chance, yet the pressure on the Isamic Republic should not be reduced for a second.

The International Campaign to "Save Sakineh" started six months ago and this has prevented the Islamic Republic from being able to execute or stone Sakineh to death. Larijani has previously said that Sakineh had her weekly visits [with her children] and was not under any pressure, when in reality, Sakineh had been flogged and was being held incommunicado. In fact, Larijani lied about Sakineh’s circumstances to elevate the reputation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Just two days before, Hojatoleslam Malek Sharif, the head of the judiciary in Eastern Azerbaijan, stressed that as soon as Sakineh's stoning case get final approval, the sentence would be served. These contradictions and confusions within the Islamic regime are caused by the pressure from the ongoing international campaign to "Save Sakineh" which must continue without interruption.

As long as the Islamic Republic has not officially overturned the sentence to execute or stone Sakineh to death, and as long as she, Sajjad, Houtan and the two German journalists have not been released from prison, the international campaign to "Save Sakineh" will continue in full force.

International Committee Against Stoning
International Committee Against Execution
Spokesperson: Mina Ahadi minaahadi@aol.com
0049-177-569-2413

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/

Private Viewing of Passion for Freedom Art Exhibition

I'll be at the art exhibition's private viewing on Saturday 20 November and then be out of office for most of next week. I'll be back on 29 November.

Here is info on art exhibition:

One Law for All is pleased to present a private viewing of an art exhibition in London on 20 November 2010 from 18.30-21.30 hours in which a group of international artists address the controversial subject of religion and human rights. The exhibition includes pieces on the veil, female genital mutilation, child ‘marriage’ and women’s oppression.To RSVP your attendance for the private viewing, please send your name and telephone number to onelawforall@gmail.com. The private viewing will be held at UNIT 24 Gallery, 24 Great Guildford Street, London SE1 0FD. Our panel of judges author Polly Toynbee, singer Deeyah and secularist Terry Sanderson will select their favourite pieces for special mention at the private viewing. You can find out more about the art exhibition and artists here. The exhibition will be open to the public from 21-27 November 2010.

Demonstrations in Germany, Saturday Nov 20

To Free Sakineh, Shahla Jahed, Sajjad, Hootan and the imprisoned lawyers
To Free the two German journalists

Shahla Jahed is a young woman that the regime has decided to execute after 8 years imprisonment, on Wednesday Dec. 1. Shahla’s lawyer says that her file includes 10 legal discrepancies. Islamic Republic is at the moment incapable of executing Sakine, therefore seeks to kill Shahla to pretend that it has not surrendered to the pressure.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is still under the nightmare of execution and stoning in prison. Her sun Sajjad and lawyer Hootan Kian too have been arrested and tortured.

The two German journalists have been accused of espionage, and under pressure and intimidation have been forced to televised confessions merely for interviewing Sajjad and Hootan . If they treat two German citizen in this way imagine what they do to Sakineh and Shahla and people of Iran.

Hootan Kiaan and Nsrin Sotoodeh and five other lawyers were arrested and imprisons in the past few weeks.

These only demonstrate a fraction of despicable behaviour of Islamic regime and it’s inhumane judiciary apparatus.

The only way, is to intensify the international protests. I invite the people of Germany who have been outraged by all these cases to protest in front of the Islamic Republics embassy and consulates and the German town centres, holding up posters of Sakineh and Shahla and Hootan and Sajjad , the two German journalists and imprisoned lawyers and demand their immediate and unconditional release, on Saturday Nov.20. Come to the streets and condemn the Islamic Republic for its barbaric deeds. Come to the streets and in solidarity with the Iranian people protest against the Islamic regime which is a source of shame for humanity.

Mina Ahadi
Spokes person
International Committees against Execution and Stoning
Nov.17, 2010

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/

The Islamic Republic’s TV Show against Sakineh and the Arrestees of This Case

PR No. 97
15 November 2010

In tonight’s airing of news program “Eight-thirty,” the Islamic Republic’s “Seda va Sima” aired a clip of the Information Ministry obtaining “confessions” from its prisoners. In this program, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her son Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, her lawyer Houtan Kian and the two German journalists associated with Bild Am Sonntag magazine were forced to testify against themselves.

The two German journalists, Houtan, and Sajjad were arrested on October 10 while they were conducting an interview in Houtan Kian’s office. Sajjad and Houtan were immediately tortured and to this day have been deprived of visitation right and having solicitors. The two German journalists too remain imprisoned on charges of interviewing them!

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s goal in airing this program is to agitate public opinion against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and Mina Ahadi, yet despite all efforts, in and of itself the program is a powerful reflection of the international campaign to save Sakineh and gives a tenacious portrayal of Mina Ahadi, her humanitarian efforts and exposes the Islamic Republic of Iran.

For the sake of clarification, it is necessary to reiterate that the two German journalists did not travel to Iran on the request of the International Committee against Execution or Mina Ahadi. These two journalists had travelled to Iran to report and to do interviews on their own volition. They contacted Mina Ahadi and asked for her assistance in contacting Sajjad, and once there, asked for Mina Ahadi’s help with interpretation.

More than anything else, the confessions of the five under pressure and torture exposes the Islamic Republic of Iran and its brutal nature.

In the past five months, under one of the most powerful international campaigns which was initiated by Mina Ahadi and the Committees against Stoning and Execution, the Islamic Republic’s officials have issued numerous contradictory announcements, but the harder they have tried, the more they have exposed themselves and the reality that is the Islamic Republic of Iran. They aimed to go ahead with the execution of Sakineh on several occasions, but the pressure of this global campaign has forced them to retreat. This recent attempt too will lead to even more indignation.

We strongly condemn the Islamic Republic for forcing prisoners to testify against themselves, and call upon the world’s citizens, organizations and international institutions to condemn the Islamic Republic and demand the immediate release of Sakineh, Sajjad, Houtan and the two German journalists, as well as all those sentenced to stoning, and expand their activities for their rescue.

International Committee against Stoning
International Committee against Execution
Nov 15, 2010

To see the clip from the Islamic Republic of Iran's TV programme

For more information, contact:

Mina Ahadi, International Committee against Execution and International Committee against Stoning: minaahadi@aol.com; Tel: +49 (0) 1775692413, http://stopstonningnow.com, http://notonemoreexecution.org

REMINDER OF UPCOMING EVENTS: 20 November private art gallery viewing and 11 December conference on Apostasy, Sharia Law and Human Rights

PASSION FOR FREEDOM PRIVATE VIEWING ON SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2010

One Law for All is pleased to present a private viewing of an art exhibition in London on 20 November 2010 from 18.30-21.30 hours in which a group of international artists address the controversial subject of religion and human rights. The exhibition includes pieces on the veil, female genital mutilation, child ‘marriage’ and women’s oppression.To RSVP your attendance for the private viewing, please send your name and telephone number to onelawforall@gmail.com. The private viewing will be held at UNIT 24 Gallery, 24 Great Guildford Street, London SE1 0FD. Our panel of judges author Polly Toynbee, singer Deeyah and secularist Terry Sanderson will select their favourite pieces for special mention at the private viewing. You can find out more about the art exhibition and artists here. The exhibition will be open to the public from 21-27 November 2010.

SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 2010 CONFERENCE ON APOSTASY, SHARIA LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS

To mark International Human Rights Day, we are co-sponsoring an all day conference on Apostasy, Sharia Law and Human Rights at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London.

The conference will highlight urgent cases including Pakistani Asia Bibi who has received a death sentence for blasphemy, Palestinian Waleed Al-Husseini who has been arrested for criticising Islam and campaigners in Iran charged with ‘enmity against God’ and demand their unconditional and immediate release. Conference registration begins at 10.00am for 11.00am start and ends at 19.00 hours, after which there will be a social gathering at a local pub.

Panel discussions include ‘International Apostasy and Religion,’ ‘Ex-Muslims in Britain and Europe’ and ‘Multiculturalism and Multifaithism versus Universal Human Rights.’

There will also be a play ‘Masculine Laws’ by Ghazi Rabihavi and a comedy act by Nick Doody.

Confirmed speakers are:
John Adams (Emeritus Professor at the University of Hertfordshire)
Mina Ahadi (Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and Council of Ex-Muslims of Germany)
Roy Brown (International Representative of International Humanist and Ethical Union)
Goranka Gudelj (Outreach Coordinator of One Law for All)
Rumy Hassan (Senior Lecturer at the Science Policy Research Unit of the University of Sussex and Author of Multiculturalism: Some Inconvenient Truths)
Marieme Helie Lucas (Algerian Sociologist and Founder of Women Living Under Muslims Laws and Secularism is a Women’s Issue)
Maryam Namazie (Spokesperson of One Law for All, Iran Solidarity and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain)
Hassan Radwan (Teacher at an Islamia school for 15 years and presently Management Committee Member of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain)
Gita Sahgal (Women’s Rights Campaigner; former head of Amnesty International’s Gender Unit suspended for questioning AI’s relations with an Islamist organisation)
Hamed Abdol Samad (German-Egyptian Political Scientist and Author of Farwell to Heaven and The Collapse of the Islamic World)
Terry Sanderson (President of the National Secular Society)
Muriel Seltman (Campaigner of One Law for All)
Alom Shaha (Science Teacher, Writer and Film Maker)
Joan Smith (Writer, Columnist and Women’s Rights Campaigner)
Bahram Soroush (Human Rights Campaigner)
Peter Tatchell (Human Rights Campaigner)
Anne Marie Waters (Spokesperson of One Law for All).

To book a place at the conference, please complete the booking form found here.

Tickets are £10 for individuals; £25 for organisations and statutory bodies. the conference is free for CEMB members and asylum seekers. Donations are welcome.

The conference is sponsored by Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, Iran Solidarity, National Secular Society, One Law for All and South Place Ethical Society.

Both events will be dedicated to the Iran stoning case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

We hope to see you at our upcoming events.

For more information, please contact:
Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX
onelawforall@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk

Sakineh’s son and lawyer are still incarcerated in single cells without visiting rights!

PR No 93
10 November 2010

The Islamic judicial system is criminal in every sense of the word!

Jaavid Hutan-Kian and Sajad Qader-Zadeh are still in solitary confinement. They are both prohibited from receiving visitors, and all their families’ efforts to establish visiting rights and employ a lawyer have been met with negative responses from the prison authorities.

Up till now, several lawyers put forward by the family and friends of Hutan-Kian in particular have been rejected by the prison authorities and their legal representatives who say that they are now the lawyers acting for this case and a decision about it will be made in Tehran. This is why they say Hutan and Sajad don’t need a lawyer!

Jaavid Hutan-Kian is diabetic and suffers from high blood pressure and so far has not been able to take his medication. We have received news that Hutan is under a lot of pressure and the false accusations of many serious wrongdoings are a plot to hurt and torment him.
Hutan-Kian’s father was a well-known person in Tabriz. In the first few years of coming to power, the Islamic Republic executed him and so Hutan’s family has been deeply wounded by the regime. According to reliable news we have received, Sakineh’s son Sajad is also under pressure. He has been tortured, harmed and injured.

The Islamic Republic tries hard to prevent all contact with Sakineh, Sajad and Hutan so that there is no possibility of news reaching the public. To neutralise this conspiracy, we need to keep their plight at the forefront of the news.

Hutan and Sajad’s present situation clearly demonstrates the criminal nature of the Islamic Republic to the world. The International Committees against Stoning and Execution strongly condemn the Islamic Republic and ask everyone to object to their anti-human behaviour.
Sakineh, Sajad and Hutan, and the two German journalists arrested in connection with this story must be freed immediately and all accusations against them dropped.


International Committee Against Stoning
International Committee Against Execution
Spokesperson: Mina Ahadi minaahadi@aol.com 0049-177-569-2413


Translated from the Persian by Susan Azadeh

Iran: Another bus worker arrested as attacks on trade unionists intensifies

Iran: Another bus worker arrested as attacks on trade unionists intensifies
Another member of Tehran’s bus workers’ union was arrested on Tuesday 10 November. Homayoon Jaaberi was detained at the Intelligence Ministry as he was making enquiries about the situation of another colleague, Gholamhosseini, who had been detained a week earlier.

Mr Jaaberi’s computer and other items have been seized from his home. Also, his wife is reported to have been threatened to co-operate with the security officials, otherwise ‘Jaaberi will be detained indefinitely’.

Jaaberi’s arrest comes in the wake of the recent detention of two other members of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Saeed Torabian and Gholamreza Gholamhosseini. Both were physically attacked and detained on 4th November. Torabian was later released on bail; however, Gholamhosseini is still in detention.

Two other leaders of the bus workers’ union, Mansoor Ossanlou and Ebrahim Madadi, are already serving long prison sentences for union activity. Also, Reza Shahabi, another board member, has been detained since 12 June 2010 for the same reason, without charge. Ossanlou and Shahabi are said to be suffering from a number of medical conditions.

On 8 November two members of the Follow-up Committee to Set Up Free Workers’ Organisations, by the names of Seddigh Khosravi and Ebrahim Esmaily, were arrested and are being held in an unknown location.

Meanwhile, trade unionist and human rights activist Behnam Ebrahimzadeh is being detained in Ward 350 of Evin Prison in Tehran. Behnam was recently admitted to the Prison’s clinic with a bleeding stomach, following a hunger strike in protest against his continued arbitrary detention and maltreatment.

We call on all trade unions and concerned activists and individuals around the world to protest in the strongest possible terms against these outrageous attacks by the Islamic regime on worker activists in Iran.


WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can help by publicising the cases of the jailed workers, signing the petition for their release, sending letters of protest to the Islamic Republic authorities, calling and/or joining protest actions in front of the Islamic Republic's embassies, etc.

Click here to sign the petition

Send letters of protest to:

Sadegh Larijani - Head of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@dadiran.ir

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: via website: http://cp.president.ir/en/

Ali Khamenei – Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter (Persian)

Free Them Now!
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran

14 November 2010

Co-ordinators:

Shahla Daneshfar (Shahla_Daneshfar@yahoo.com 0044-77798 98968)
Bahram Soroush (Bahram.Soroush@gmail.com 0044-7852 338334)

You are fabricating a case against Sakineh Ashtiani, and you want to buy time!

PR No. 94
November 10, 2010

To Ayatollah Ejehi and other judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic:
You are fabricating a case against Sakineh Ashtiani, and you want to buy time!

Gholam-Hosein Ejehi, Attorney General and spokesman of the Islamic Republic’s Judiciary, said today, in an interview with the Iranian official news agency (IRNA), ‘we need more time and further review of the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani in order to come to a clear, definite conviction for her. This case is till going through legal procedures.’ He added, ‘there are two charges, or convictions, against Sakineh, the more serious of the two being the murder charge, or conviction.

In opposition to the above statements, The International Committees Against Execution and Stoning make the following statement:

1- If Sakineh’s case is still under review, why is it that she has already been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, suffered 99 lashes, and spent 5 years of her life in jail? Shouldn’t this sentence be quashed, and Sakineh and her family be compensated?

2- If, as you presently admit, Sakineh’s case needs further review, then on what basis have you already sentenced her to stoning? And, following that, why have you announced, several times and through different channels, that she has been sentenced to death? The truth is had there been an iota of justice in your whole judicial system, you would have publically apologized to Sakineh and her children, and paid a fraction of the physical and emotional harm as well as the material damage that you have caused them during these years.

3- What kind of case needs ‘more time and further review’ after 5 years? How many more years is Sakineh supposed to languish in jail, grappling with the nightmare of being hanged or stoned to death, before your review comes to a ‘clear, definite conviction for her’? Shouldn’t you free Sakineh while she awaits the completion of the review, such as you claim to be doing, especially since she has already spent 5 years in prison and endured 99 lashes for crimes not yet proven according to your own statements above?

4- Why the documents Sakineh’s lawyer, Houtan Kian, had gathered and prepared in her defense were stolen from his house- and office by your agents? You have even removed the copies of her whole dossiers from Tabriz Prison and Police archives! If you are not up to fabricating a case against her, and all you really want to do is review it further, why would you need to steal her dossiers?

5- What sort of reviewing a case requires that the defendant’s lawyer, as well as her child, be arrested, imprisoned and tortured for just defending her? What sort of reviewing a case can possibly have any validity in today’s world when it requires that the defendant be deprived of legal defense?

6- What kind of review are you doing during which you have had to force the defendant into coercively extracted confessions on national television? How many times have you and other statesmen of your regime publically presented her as a convicted murderer through various media? You have even publically denounced the international media as well as Sakineh’s international supporters as ‘defenders of a murderer’ in so many instances!

The statements you and other government officials have so far made on the case of Sakineh are clear testimonies to the fact that your court system does not bear any resemblance whatsoever to a legitimate one. Your courts, therefore, lack any legitimacy to review this or any other case.

Thanks to our efforts you and your whole Islamic legal system have been exposed to the world. You must be put on trial, if not for any other of your crimes during the past 31 years, for what you have done to Sakineh, her children and her lawyer based on your own admissions so far.

You are not busy further reviewing Sakineh’s case but fabricating one for her. You are not awaiting the clarification of the case but just buying time hoping to be relieved from the international pressure. Your shameless contradicting statements, as well as your criminal treatment of prisoners, are by now very well known to the people around the world.

The International Committees Against Execution and Stoning hereby demand that Sakineh, Sajad, Houtan and the two German journalists who were arrested while trying to investigate the case must be freed immediately. There is no justification for their imprisonment. It is, on the other hand, Ejei, Shahroudi and all other past and present judicial authorities of the regime, along with all the its leaders, who must be tried for this as well as thousands of other crimes they have committed. This anti-human judicial system must be thrown into the trash can of history together with the entire Islamic regime. This is a demand backed by millions of people in Iran and across the world.

International Committee Against Stoning (http://stopstonningnow.com)
International Committee Against Execution (http://notonemoreexecution.org)

Spokesperson: Mina Ahadi
Email: minaahadi@aol.com
Tel: 0049 (0) 1775692413

FEMEN: Women must be free!

After their semi-clothed protest in Kiev a couple of days ago in support of Sakineh Ashtiani, FEMEN activists are being interviewed by Sohaila Sharifi on NCTV live. Watch the interview in English, and at the end of the clip the summary of the interview in Farsi.

I'll be speaking in Bournemouth tomorrow 13 November

Date: 13 November 2010
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Moordown Community Centre, Bournemouth BH9 1TW
Maryam Namazie will be speaking on Sharia Law and Women’s Rights to a meeting organised by the Dorset Humanists.

Call for immediate fundraising for Jamal Saberi!

We thank all of you who helped to save Jamal from the danger of being deported to Iran and getting him out of detention in Japan. However, we wanted to inform you that Jamal urgently needs financial support.

When the Free Jamal Campaign was first informed about Jamal’s situation we contacted friends and supporters and were able to send Jamal some funds. Due to his immigration status Jamal is not allowed to work in Japan - this means he needs regular monthly financial support for his living expenses and also to be able to take legal action to get asylum in Japan or a safe 3rd country.

Thus we are calling on you good people and progressive organisations who have helped us in the campaign so far to support Jamal financially.

You can send your donations to IFIR branches or donate via paypal to
Count me in - Iran http://countmein-iran.com/donate.html

Please specifiy in all cases that the donation is for Jamal Saberi. Please also drop us a quick line at freejamalcampaign@gmail.com to let us know that you have made a donation.

Jamal very much welcomes your continued support!

Warm wishes

Free Jamal Campaign

FEMEN: Congratulations on your act of solidarity with Sakineh and against capital punishment

Dear activists of Femen

We wanted to write and congratulate you on your act of solidarity with Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and your opposition to ‘state-sanctioned murder.’

Whilst Ukrainian officials were ‘ashamed’ of your display and stood firmly with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s killing machine, we, as women’s rights campaigners who have been leading the fight for an end to stoning and execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others felt strongly that it was an important act in defence of women's rights and human dignity. This is particularly so given the silence of so many feminists who seem to have succumbed to the racist concept of cultural relativism that implies that women choose to live the way they are forced to. Clearly though, women everywhere want to live lives worthy of the 21st century and not under medievalism and religious rules.

Acts of real human solidarity like yours helps to further support Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others in her situation as well as mobilising opposition to stoning, execution and the misogyny of Sharia law.

We look forward to working closely with you from now on and know you will continue to support our efforts.

Warmest regards

Mina Ahadi and Maryam Namazie

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/

Maryam Namazie
Iran Solidarity
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
www.iransolidarity.org.uk
iransolidarity.blogspot.com

Iran's bid to UN Women been rebuffed - Finally!

Western lobbying bars Iran from peak UN women's agency
From The Times
November 11, 2010

IRAN'S bid for a seat on the board of a prestigious new UN agency promoting women's rights has been emphatically rebuffed, with Australia playing a strategic role in its defeat.

Western governments and human rights organisations mounted a last-ditch operation to have Iran blackballed from UN Women, deepening Tehran's internation isolation.

Its opponents rejoiced at the exclusion of a state that stones women to death for adultery and has one of the world's worst records on women's rights.

“They lost, and they lost handily,” said US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice.

“We've made no secret of our concern that Iran joining the board of UN Women would have been an inauspicious start to that board... It was a very good outcome.”

A British government spokesman said: “The UK strongly believes that countries on the board of UN Women should have demonstrated a firm commitment to women's rights and gender equality.”

UN Women, to be chaired by Michelle Bachelet, the former Chilean president, subsumes four smaller UN agencies dealing with women's rights and is charged with promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Of the UN's 192 member states, Iran is one of just six that has not ratified the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

Until last week, Iran's election had seemed a foregone conclusion despite the international outcry over Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery. It was one of only ten Asian countries standing for the ten seats set aside for them on the 41-member board.

Amid growing outrage, however, Western governments including the US, Canada and Australia persuaded East Timor to add its name last Thursday. That meant the 54 members of the UN's Economic and Social Council had to vote on the Asian slate yesterday. After some intense behind-the-scenes lobbying, Iran came 11th and last with just 19 votes.

It was the second such humiliation Tehran has suffered this year, with a similar US-led operation thwarting Iran's attempt to join the UN Human Rights Council in April. This week, the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation withdrew its support for World Philosophy Day in Iran, which the country will host this month.

The vote was greeted with jubilation by human rights organisations, though they were dismayed that Saudi Arabia secured a place as a donor nation.

Maryam Namazie, spokeswoman for Iran Solidarity, a campaign group, said the Ashtiani case had “knocked some sense” into voting states. “Otherwise, having Iran on UN Women would have been like putting the Vatican in charge of UN Children or the Burmese junta in charge of UN Election Monitoring.”

Marianne Mollmann, advocacy director for women's rights at Human Rights Watch, said: “We didn't want Iran to have an opportunity to whitewash their internal policies with this important position on a new UN entity.”

There was no immediate comment from official Iranian sources.

Waleed Must be Released Immediately

The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain condemns the arrest of 26 year old Palestinian internet blogger Waleed Al-Husseini by the Palestinian Authority for exercising his right to free speech.

Waleed has written on his Blog: "My criticism of Islam and its “holy” symbols is not due to a feeling of resentment or a desire to undermine and humiliate its followers, but rather to the sentiment of despair that filled me while I was watching the world fall apart before my eyes because of religion and its nonsense."

The arrest was confirmed by the Palestinian News Agency Maan on 7 November 2010 using the initials W. H. It said he was arrested in the West Bank city of Qalqilya for criticising religions and promoting atheism and has claimed Divinity on his Blog and on his Facebook page which have now been shut down. Waleed's arrest is an attack on freedom of conscience and belief. The CEMB demands his immediate and unconditional release.

2010 CEMB AGM Preliminary Notice

Members are advised that the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain is holding a Conference from 10.00-19.00 hours and the Third Annual General Meeting from 19.00-19.20 hours on Saturday 11 December 2010 in London; a social event follows the AGM. The AGM segment of the day is only open to members.

Members are requested to RSVP their attendance by 1 December 2010.

Nomination of Board of Trustees and Motions

Those wishing to submit motions for the meeting and conference or nominations for Board of Trustee members, should do so in writing. A proposer and seconder are required for both nominations and motions, which must reach the CEMB by 1 December 2010. This date is necessary to enable preparation of the formal notices of the AGM that will be sent out in advance of the meeting.

The Board of Trustees will be elected at the AGM. Nominations of any member must be signed by a proposer and a seconder and must be signed by the person nominated to indicate that they are willing to stand for the Board. All those nominated will provide a statement of the skills they have to offer, their aims for the CEMB, and an indication of the extent to which they are prepared to undertake work as well as attending quarterly Trustee meetings in London.

Nominations and motions should be sent by email to exmuslimcouncil@gmail.com or via post to CEMB, BM Box 1919, London WC1N 3XX and arrive no later than 1 December 2010. The names of nominees, proposers and seconders should be written in block capitals, with clearly legible email addresses.

The CEMB’s annual report and financial report will be made available to members at the AGM.

Letter from Bruno Malattia, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's new lawyer

PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Mr. JERZY BUZEK

copy to
SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN
ALI KHAMENEI

HEAD OF THE JUDICIARY
SADEQH LARIJANI

HEAD OF THE JUDICIARY
IN EAST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE
MALEK-ASHTAR SHARIFI

SECRETARY GENERAL
HIGH COUNCIL OF HUMAN RIGHTS
MOHAMMAD JAVAD LARIJANI

Pordenone, 6 novembre 2010

International Committee against Stoning –Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

I write on behalf of the International Committee against Stoning, which asked for my legal assistance in all the initiatives that are taking place in Europe against the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

The Committee I represent means to thank You and the European Parliament for the special commitment in Sakineh’s case and in Human Rights defence in Iran.

We want at the same time focus Your attention on the general climate of intimidation and threat that reigns in Iran and that puts lawyers in danger for their life or freedom, restraining them from the possibility to defend Sakineh and her family.

The Committee is confident that the European Parliament will make itself heard about these issues and will support all the actions that we mean to take to guarantee and protect not only the Right to Life of Iranian people but also their Right of Defence and to a fair trial.

With the highest esteem, Yours respectfully,

Bruno Malattia

Sakineh an honorary citizen of Venissieux

The town council of Vénissieux, a municipality in the suburbs of Lyon (France), decided to make Sakineh Ashtiani an honorary citizen of Vénissieux.

In a ceremony on Friday 5 November the town council adopted the motion to support Sakineh Ashtiani and against stoning in Iran. The town's mayor Ms Michèle Picard wrote a letter in which she said that the motion is also for "all this girls and women who are suffering in silence" and added "Sakineh is the symbol of all the women who are victims of violence. Tens of thousands of them are every year subjected to psychological and physical torture or to stoning, their freedom and dignity are in danger every day. Their wish to resist and to live freely is strong but without the support of international solidarity their hope can be broken".

Translation of the motion :

"MOTION SAKINEH MOHAMMADI ASHTIANI - HONORARY CITIZEN

Considering the risk of stoning that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is facing ;

Considering that the death penality should be abolished in the 58 countries where it's still being practiced ;

Considering that stoning is a barbaric act, that cannot be justified by any reason, that it's a crime against humanity that should be abolished everywhere and forever ;

Considering that Sakineh is a victim of the violation of womens rights and that she is the symbol of all the women who were stoned or who are in danger of being stoned, victims of oppression, segregation and discriminations ;

Considering the wave of global solidarity that is necessary to save Sakineh and all the others who are threatened by stoning ;

The Town Council decide :

- To support actions to demand her freedom

- To support actions against stoning

- To make the commitment of the town known to its fellow citizens by all useful means: municipal publications, internet page of the town, meetings...

- To make this information known to :

--- The ambassy of Iran in France

--- Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the Republic

--- Organisations and associations who are acting for Sakinehs freedom

The motion in its French original

Statement by the International Federation of Iranian Refugees on the Striking Asylum Seekers in Greece

The refugee detention centers in Greece are packed with Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan asylum seekers. It is reported that refugees, the sick and the healthy, are crammed into salons at decaying old detention centers. These locales have nothing in common with modern facilities, especially in Europe, and are totally unhygienic, unwholesome environments. The intolerable conditions of detention centers have brought the refugees to the verge of insanity. Those who have been released from them have reported that they had been not only languishing in unhealthy, squalid and deadly dull conditions but also from time to time severely assaulted by the police.

Why should, especially in a European country, the escapees from such hells as Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan be driven to sewing their lips in a battle to defend just their natural right to life?! The refugees in Greece are rotting away in constant fear of not having any stay permit, job, housing, health services, and so on. There is no responsible office or authority to deal with their plight or protest and simply ask them, ‘what are the problems that have driven you to this protest sit-in for over 50 days?’

It should be emphasized that during 22 years of its existence the IFIR has relentlessly defended the refugees from a progressive perspective as humans sans phrase, i.e., independent of their faith, political affiliation, race, ethnicity and gender. By the same token it has never encouraged such forms of protest as hunger strike or lip-sewing. However, it is the Greek government and the inhuman atmosphere it has created for the refugees that have forced those innocent human beings into an unjust, baleful death-or-freedom struggle.

In view of the above the IFIR demands that:

1- the process of reviewing the applications of all the asylum seekers in Greece begin immediately;

2- the Greek government provide health care to the striking refugees so that they can regain their heath and normal life process;

3- the Greek government and police forces immediately cease the practice of periodic assault of the asylum seekers, their irregular, protracted detentions, and deporting the Iranian refugees back to Iran;

4- as Greece is a member of EU as well as a refugee-accepting country, the asylum seekers in that country too must be cared for financially and medically; be granted work permit; be provided with housing; enjoy the right to legal counsel and protection;

5- while the Greek government refuses to observe the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in that country, the rest of EU member states not deport to Greece those who enter their countries via Greece. Further, in view of the IFIR the dispatching of Frontex guards to Greece’s northern border with Turkey is aligned with the very Greek government’s current inhuman refugee policies as a result of which many an asylum seeker will suffer severely, as well as the condition of refugees in Turkey will worsen significantly;

6- The IFIR calls on the EU states to exclude Greece - for its appalling maltreatment of refugees and asylum seekers - from Dublin II agreement of 2003 and grant the asylum seekers who enter other EU countries through Greece the permission to have their cases reviewed in those same countries without the fear of being deported to Greece.

International Federation of Iranian Refugees
October 29, 2010

York speaking engagement

Date: 08 November 2010
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Denham Room, Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET
Maryam Namazie will be speaking at a meeting organised by the North Yorkshire Humanist Group

Has God gone Global?

I'll be on a panel called Has God Gone Global? at the BBC Radio 3 Freethinking Festival this Sunday afternoon. For more information, click here.

A response to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s deceptions regarding Sakineh’s impending execution

PR No. 88
4 November 2010


An immediate and worldwide public outcry followed an urgent press release by the International Committees against Stoning and Execution giving notice of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s imminent execution. Shortly thereafter more than half a million people sent letters of protest, there were two million tweets on Sakineh, and rallies and events were held in a number of cities.

The International Committees against Stoning and Execution issued the press release after receiving credible information attesting to the plan to execute her on 3 November. Reliable sources within Iran confirmed having seen the actual execution order sent from Tehran to Tabriz prison’s office of sentence implementation and also seen Sakineh’s name on a blacklist of those to be imminently executed.

The Islamic Republic of Iran often executes people without any public warning or notice and even without informing lawyers and family members in order to avoid local and international condemnation. According to the International Campaign for Human Rights, at least 23 people have been executed these past few days alone without any official announcement.
Nonetheless the regime persists in concealing the real danger Ms Ashtiani’s life is in. Its Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, told his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner that ‘the final verdict in the Sakineh Ashtiani case has not been announced by the Iranian judiciary.’ Malek Ajdar Sharifi, the head of the justice department in East Azarbaijan province, where Ms Ashtiani is imprisoned, also said that her case was under judicial review and she was in ‘perfect health.’

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, a ‘judicial review’ often effectively means that the regime is waiting for the opportunity to carry out its executions. The regime has executed many people whilst their cases were ‘under review.’ One well known case was that of juvenile ‘offender’ Delara Darabi who was executed in 2009 during a two month reprieve.

Whilst Sakineh has been held incommunicado since 11 August and her son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Houtan Kian, been imprisoned and tortured since 10 October, the International Committees against Stoning and Execution will continue to act as their voice and their defence. And we will continue to raise the alarm when necessary until Ms Ashtiani’s stoning and execution orders are rescinded and she, her son and lawyer are unconditionally and immediately released.

International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani still faces execution

Press Release number 85

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani still faces execution
Global protests must continue
3 November 2010

According to reports received today, global protests have managed to prevent the execution of Iran stoning case Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani as of now. However the threat of imminent execution remains.

A global public outcry immediately followed news of her impending execution on 3 November, which was reported on by all major media outlets. Tens of interviews took place with Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson of the International Committees against Stoning and Execution, Iran Solidarity Spokesperson Maryam Namazie, and other campaigners. Millions took immediate action worldwide by sending letters of protest to the Islamic Republic of Iran and other governments calling for immediate action. A number of governments, including the French, Italian, Swedish, and US and the European Parliament and European Union responded at once and demanded that her execution be stopped. There were a number of demonstrations on 2 November, including in Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris, Rome and Washington, DC.

Once again, the Islamic Republic of Iran clearly saw the widespread global reaction to its decision to execute Ms Ashtiani and did not go ahead with her execution.

Ms Ashtiani’s execution, however, is still imminent. This is clear from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s response to protesting governments. The Committees have received reports that the highest court has sent the order for her execution to Tabriz prison; she could therefore be executed at any time.

The International Committees against Stoning and Execution salute protesting people worldwide that called for an end to Ms Ashtiani’s execution. It is as a result of public outcry that Ms Ashtiani is still alive today.

We ask that people continue their protests, exerting pressure on governments and the Islamic Republic of Iran and highlighting her situation until her execution is officially rescinded and she is released along with her son, Sajjad, her lawyer, Houtan Kian, and the two German journalists arrested on 10 October 2010.

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

Successful Protest in Paris tonight

In protest at the planned execution of Sakineh Ashtiani several women and human rights organizations together with the International Committee against Stoning and Iran Solidarity organized a successful protest in front of the Islamic regime of Iran’s embassy in Paris today. The protest started at 2pm with speeches by representatives of the organizations. The press conference was attended by a huge number of national and international media. Maryam Namazie, spokesperson of Iran Solidarity attended the rally and press conference in Paris. Tonight she will be at a protest at 6 pm in front of the European parliament in Brussels.

The Paris protest was organised by:

Femmes Solidaires

International Committee against Stoning

Iran Solidarity

La Ligue du Droit International des Femmes

Mouvement Pour la Paix et Contre le Terrorisme

Ni putes ni soumises

Successful Protest in Brussels tonight

The protest in front of the European Parliament in Brussels at 6pm tonight was organised by Anne-Marie Lizin (Honorary Speaker of the Belgian Senate) and Viviane Teitelbaum (Chair of Women’s Council of Belgium) and was attended by representatives of the Green Party (Belgium), the Christian Democratic Party (Belgium), the philosopher Daniel Schiffer, Maryam Namazie, spokesperson of Iran Solidarity and other representatives.

A statement by Catherine Ashton, spokesperson of the EU High Representative, was read at the protest, as well as a statement by the Vice President of the European Parliament Isabelle Durant.

Catherine Ashton’s statement follows:

Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on possible execution of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani

"Catherine Ashton is deeply concerned by reports that the execution of Ms Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani may be imminent. She demands that Iran halts the execution and convert her sentence.

Ms Mohammadi-Ashtiani has been at risk of execution by stoning for adultery, a particularly cruel method of execution which amounts to unacceptable torture. The EU joined many other countries and organisations in condemning this sentence as a clear violation of Iran's international obligations under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.

While the Iranian authorities have given assurances that Ms Ashtiani would not be killed by stoning, she has since faced charges for alleged complicity in the murder of her husband and may be executed by hanging. Neither sentence is acceptable.

Catherine Ashton is also concerned that Ms Ashtiani was not given a fair trial, not least in view of the detention of her lawyer, Mr Javid Houtan Kian, (and her son who has campaigned for her release).

Under these circumstances, Catherine Ashton reiterates her call on Iran to halt Ms Ashtiani's execution and to convert her sentence.

Catherine Ashton reaffirms the EU's opposition to the death penalty under all circumstances and calls on Iran to consider a moratorium on executions pending the abolition of the death penalty in accordance with UN General Assembly resolutions 62/149 and 63/168.

She also reminds Iran of its acceptance, during its Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, to respect at least the minimum standards and the provisions of ICCPR and CRC concerning the death penalty, for as long as it is maintained."

March with us to save Sakineh from Paris to Brussels on 2 November

ACT NOW

PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL BE GATHERING AT THE EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN PARIS AT 2PM (4 Avenue d'Iéna 75116 Paris) AND MARCHING TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN BRUSSELS. JOIN US. WE MUST SAVE SAKINEH’S LIFE AND SECURE HER FREEDOM AND THAT OF HER SON, LAWYER AND THE TWO GERMAN JOURNALISTS. AND WE MUST END STONING NOW!

According to news received by the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution on 1 November 2010, the authorities in Tehran have given the go ahead to Tabriz prison for the execution of Iran stoning case Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. It has been reported that she is to be executed this Wednesday 3 November.

We had previously reported that the casefile regarding the murder case of Ms Ashtiani’s husband had been seized from her lawyer’s office, Houtan Kian, and found missing from the prosecutor’s Oskoo branch office so as to stitch Ms Ashtiani up with trumped up murder charges. [Another man has already served a prison sentence and is now free for her husband’s murder.] Ms Ashtiani’s son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, have warned of the regime’s plan to do so on many occasions. With the arrest of Ms Ashtiani’s son and lawyer on 10 October and her not having had any visitation rights since 11 August and after fabricating a new case against her, the “Human Rights Commission” of the regime has announced that: ‘according to the existing evidence, her guilt has been confirmed.’ In fact, the regime has created a new scenario in order to expedite her execution.

In other news, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh and Houtan Kian have been severely tortured in order to obtain confessions against Sakineh and themselves since their arrests on 10 October along with two German journalists. The initial interrogations by the Ministry of Intelligence have now been completed and the casefile sent to the National Prosecutor General and Judiciary Spokesperson, Mohsen-Ejehi, in Tehran rather than being handled in Tabriz. Their families are concerned for their wellbeing. When attempting to secure lawyers for the two, authorities have said that the two men did not need legal representation.

Sajjad and Houtan Kian’s only ‘crime’ has been to defend Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and proclaim her innocence with facts and evidence. That their contact with Mina Ahadi is considered a crime is absurd given that Ahadi has been contacted by death row prisoners and their families and lawyers for many years now, including directly from prison. This is because of her many years of work against stoning and executions.

The International Committees against Stoning and Execution call on international bodies and the people of the world to come out in full force against the state-sponsored murder of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Ms Ashtiani, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, Houtan Kian and the two German journalists must be immediately and unconditionally released.

ACT NOW!

1. Contact government officials, MPs, MEPs, and the UN asking them to intervene urgently. Governments must immediately summon the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassadors and demand that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s execution be stopped and that she along with her son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Houtan Kian, and the two German journalists be immediately released.

2. Send letters of condemnation to the Islamic regime of Iran right away:

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

Head of the Judiciary in East Azerbaijan Province
Malek-Ashtar Sharifi
Office of the Head of the Judiciary in Tabriz
East Azerbaijan, Iran

Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Iran
Email: 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

3. Please urgently donate to the Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani campaign by making your cheque payable to ‘Count Me In – Iran’ and sending it to BM Box 6754, London WC1N 3XX, UK. You can also pay via Paypal (http://countmein-iran.com/donate.html).

For more information, contact:

Mina Ahadi, International Committee against Execution and International Committee against Stoning: minaahadi@aol.com; Tel: +49 (0) 1775692413, http://stopstonningnow.com, http://notonemoreexecution.org

Maryam Namazie, Iran Solidarity, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, +44 7719166731, www.iransolidarity.org.uk, iransolidarity.blogspot.com

ACT NOW: Iran stoning case, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani to be executed on 3 November

The Islamic regime of Iran plans to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani on 3 November
ACT NOW

According to news received by the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution on 1 November 2010, the authorities in Tehran have given the go ahead to Tabriz prison for the execution of Iran stoning case Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. It has been reported that she is to be executed this Wednesday 3 November.

We had previously reported that the casefile regarding the murder case of Ms Ashtiani’s husband had been seized from her lawyer’s office, Houtan Kian, and found missing from the prosecutor’s Oskoo branch office so as to stitch Ms Ashtiani up with trumped up murder charges. [Another man has already served a prison sentence and is now free for her husband’s murder.] Ms Ashtiani’s son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, have warned of the regime’s plan to do so on many occasions. With the arrest of Ms Ashtiani’s son and lawyer on 10 October and her not having had any visitation rights since 11 August and after fabricating a new case against her, the “Human Rights Commission” of the regime has announced that: ‘according to the existing evidence, her guilt has been confirmed.’ In fact, the regime has created a new scenario in order to expedite her execution.

In other news, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh and Houtan Kian have been severely tortured in order to obtain confessions against Sakineh and themselves since their arrests on 10 October along with two German journalists. The initial interrogations by the Ministry of Intelligence have now been completed and the casefile sent to the National Prosecutor General and Judiciary Spokesperson, Mohsen-Ejehi, in Tehran rather than being handled in Tabriz. Their families are concerned for their wellbeing. When attempting to secure lawyers for the two, authorities have said that the two men did not need legal representation.

Sajjad and Houtan Kian’s only ‘crime’ has been to defend Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and proclaim her innocence with facts and evidence. That their contact with Mina Ahadi is considered a crime is absurd given that Ahadi has been contacted by death row prisoners and their families and lawyers for many years now, including directly from prison. This is because of her many years of work against stoning and executions.

The International Committees against Stoning and Execution call on international bodies and the people of the world to come out in full force against the state-sponsored murder of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Ms Ashtiani, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, Houtan Kian and the two German journalists must be immediately and unconditionally released.

ACT NOW!

1. Contact government officials, MPs, MEPs, and the UN asking them to intervene urgently. Governments must immediately summon the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassadors and demand that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s execution be stopped and that she along with her son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Houtan Kian, and the two German journalists be immediately released.

2. Send letters of condemnation to the Islamic regime of Iran right away:

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

Head of the Judiciary in East Azerbaijan Province
Malek-Ashtar Sharifi
Office of the Head of the Judiciary in Tabriz
East Azerbaijan, Iran

Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Iran
Email: 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

For more information, contact:

Mina Ahadi, International Committee against Execution and International Committee against Stoning: minaahadi@aol.com; Tel: +49 (0) 1775692413, http://stopstonningnow.com, http://notonemoreexecution.org

Maryam Namazie, Iran Solidarity, iransolidaritynow@gmail.com, +44 7719166731, www.iransolidarity.org.uk, iransolidarity.blogspot.com

The Islamic regime of Iran plans to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani immediately

PR 84
1 November 2010

The Islamic regime of Iran plans to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani immediately

According to news received by the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution on 1 November 2010, the authorities in Tehran have given the go ahead to Tabriz prison for the execution of Iran stoning case Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. It has been reported that she is to be executed this Wednesday 3 November.

We had previously reported that the casefile regarding the murder case of Ms Ashtiani’s husband had been seized from her lawyer’s office, Houtan Kian, and found missing from the prosecutor’s Oskoo branch office so as to stitch Ms Ashtiani up with trumped up murder charges. Ms Ashtiani’s son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, have warned of the regime’s plan to do so on many occasions. With the arrest of Ms Ashtiani’s son and lawyer on 10 October and her not having had any visitation rights since 11 August and after fabricating a new case against her, the “Human Rights Commission” of the regime has announced that: ‘according to the existing evidence, her guilt has been confirmed.’ In fact, the regime has created a new scenario in order to expedite her execution.

The International Committees against Stoning and Execution call on international bodies and the people of the world to come out in full force against the state-sponsored murder of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Ms Ashtiani, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, Houtan Kian and the two German journalists must be immediately and unconditionally released.

International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
Email: minaahadi@aol.com
Tel: 0049 (0) 1775692413