Date: 29-31 October 2010
Place: Venice Italy
Maryam Namazie will be involved in the city’s Neda Day events along with Mina Ahadi and others
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Defend Maryam Ghorbanzadeh
After being savagely beaten up in Tabriz prison, Maryam sadly miscarried. This simply worsens her situation and makes the matter all the more of an emergency. Please sign this petition for not only her, but also Azar Bagheri, another young woman iin a similar situation.
Maryam is in the same prison as Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, aged 25. The world must show the Iranian government that they are watching their every action and that their death sentences will not go unnoticed.
Also join Facebook page to support them.
Maryam is in the same prison as Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, aged 25. The world must show the Iranian government that they are watching their every action and that their death sentences will not go unnoticed.
Also join Facebook page to support them.
The Islamic regime has tortured Sajjad and Houtan
PR 82
27 October 2010
Houtan and the two German journalists have been transferred to Tabriz prison
According to information obtained by the International Committees against stoning and executions, Sajjad, the son of Sakineh and Houtan Kian, her lawyer, are subjected to pressure and severe torture in a prison of Tabriz.
According to our sources, Houtan and the two German journalists, who at the time of arrest, interviewed the son of Sakineh, were transferred to Tabriz prison on Tuesday October 26, 16 days after their arrest. The whereabouts of Sajjad remain unknown.
Our sources suggest that Sajjad, particularly during its first days of detention, was severely tortured, and that Houtan was harassed and beaten. The interrogations of Sajjad and Houtan have mainly been about their contacts with foreign media networks and the Campaign to Save Sakineh.
The International Committees against Execution and Stoning call upon all international humanitarian institutions, organizations, and people who have participated in the Campaign to Save Sakineh to condemn the Islamic regime for savagery and crime against these innocent people, and ask that they intensify their activities to free Sakineh, Sajjad, Houtan and the two German journalists.
Sajjad and Houtan’s only crime is their selfless attempt to save Sakineh’s life, this innocent woman who has been sentenced to death by stoning under medieval Islamic laws, who has suffered humiliation and 198 strokes of the lash. The two German journalists, held also in violation of all international laws, have done nothing but having met two Iranian citizens, Sajjad and Houtan, to write a report about real situation of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Sakineh and all four of those arrested [on October 10] must be released immediately and unconditionally.
The International Committees against Execution and Stoning finally call on all international institutions, organizations and people worldwide to actively participate in the campaign to free Sakineh and the other four.
International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
For more information contact: minaahadi@aol.com
0049 (0) 177 569 2413
27 October 2010
Houtan and the two German journalists have been transferred to Tabriz prison
According to information obtained by the International Committees against stoning and executions, Sajjad, the son of Sakineh and Houtan Kian, her lawyer, are subjected to pressure and severe torture in a prison of Tabriz.
According to our sources, Houtan and the two German journalists, who at the time of arrest, interviewed the son of Sakineh, were transferred to Tabriz prison on Tuesday October 26, 16 days after their arrest. The whereabouts of Sajjad remain unknown.
Our sources suggest that Sajjad, particularly during its first days of detention, was severely tortured, and that Houtan was harassed and beaten. The interrogations of Sajjad and Houtan have mainly been about their contacts with foreign media networks and the Campaign to Save Sakineh.
The International Committees against Execution and Stoning call upon all international humanitarian institutions, organizations, and people who have participated in the Campaign to Save Sakineh to condemn the Islamic regime for savagery and crime against these innocent people, and ask that they intensify their activities to free Sakineh, Sajjad, Houtan and the two German journalists.
Sajjad and Houtan’s only crime is their selfless attempt to save Sakineh’s life, this innocent woman who has been sentenced to death by stoning under medieval Islamic laws, who has suffered humiliation and 198 strokes of the lash. The two German journalists, held also in violation of all international laws, have done nothing but having met two Iranian citizens, Sajjad and Houtan, to write a report about real situation of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Sakineh and all four of those arrested [on October 10] must be released immediately and unconditionally.
The International Committees against Execution and Stoning finally call on all international institutions, organizations and people worldwide to actively participate in the campaign to free Sakineh and the other four.
International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
For more information contact: minaahadi@aol.com
0049 (0) 177 569 2413
In support of Iranian refugees in Greece
Complaint by the International Federation of Iranian Refugees lodged with the European Court of Human Rights against the Greek government for its violation of refugees’ rights
I submit this complaint on behalf of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) against the Greek government for its violation of the refugees’ rights in the country.
A sizeable number of Iranian refugee seekers, i.e., escapees from fear of imprisonment, torture and execution, have started a sit-in in front of the UN office in Athens which still continues after 40 days. In a prior protest action a different number of them had initiated a sit-in, which led, in consequence of the irresponsible response of the Greek’s government, to their going on hunger strike and sewing their lips in protest.
Now, after forty-odd days of their second sit-in, the Greek government still refuses to accept any of the refugee’s demands. Indeed, it has basically refused to respond to their demands in any way, except by, once in a while, ordering its police force to raid their sit-in site, beat them and trash their belongings. As a result the protesting refugees began a hunger strike on Thursday, October 14, and eight of them sewed their lips. According to the latest news as of October 21 eleven individuals, out of the total of twenty-five striking refugees, have sewn their lips.
The ghastly scenes of the refugees sewing their lips, reported on the internet and in the media, make one’s hair stand on end. These scenes are transpiring in Greece, a member country of the European Union. This country has, evidently, no defined standards as far as reviewing the refugee applicants’ cases and/or meeting even their most basic, dire needs. Still worse, it has, unfortunately, become renowned for its encroachments on their human rights as refugees and mistreating them.
These refugees have come to Greece seeking protection from a country by the name of Iran – a country suffering under a criminal Islamist regime which has, for the past 31 years, ruled by the horrific rules belonging to a barbaric era. Relying on these ‘holy’ rules it has committed a whole catalogue of medieval crimes against the dissenters, the accused individuals, the youth, the women, the workers, the intellectuals, in short, against the whole society – a catalogue extending from flogging to imprisonment, amputation of the limbs, torture, rape, execution, lynching, assassination and stoning. Thanks to the on-going Iranian people’s movement for freedom, as well as the ridiculous lies of the heads of the Islamic Republic about their oppression of the people in Iran, its true murderous nature has become common knowledge around the world. The Iranian refugees in Turkey, Greece and other countries have escaped such conditions, that is, the 31-year long war of the regime against the nation. They should, therefore, be accepted as refugees with open arms and the least ‘investigations’, and their safety and security be guaranteed in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention, ‘the Legislation that Underpins our Work’ (UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49da0e466.html).
To reiterate, the nature of the Iranian regime is clear to the people around the world. What remains to be explained is the irresponsive, and therefore irresponsible, policy adopted by the Greek government vis-à-vis their plight. The silence of the Greek government has, in practice, amounted to ignoring the very human rights the EU is committed to. Are the refugees not human to deserve the protection of the Charter of Human Rights? The Greek government ignores the refugees, their needs and their demands as if it is not part of the EU and does not have to abide by its obligations thereof. The Greek government has simply closed its eyes to the reality of what transpires in Iran. That is the chief reason why it refuses to acknowledge their needs and pay them what they are legally entitled to. Indeed, it essentially refuses to consider them human.
It is reported that refugees, the sick and the healthy, the smoker and non-smoker, are detained in overcrowded 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.
It must be emphasized that during its 22 years of its existence the IFIR has relentlessly defended the refugees from a progressive perspective as humans sans phrase, 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 has forced those innocent human beings into self-harm. This Greek government’s treatment of the refugee seekers violates all universal charters and conventions established to protect humans and, specifically, the refugees. It should therefore be condemned as such and stopped immediately. Why should, especially in a European country, the escapees from hells like Iran 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 give them what is rightfully theirs. In short, they have been pushed into the abyss of despair, which spawns only depression, chronic anxiety, and a whole host of other socio-psychological symptoms.
In view of the above the IFIR would like to lodge this complaint with the European Court of Human Rights against the Greek government for its gross violation of both the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Abdollah Asadi
Secretary,
IFIR
October 23, 2010
CC Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch
I submit this complaint on behalf of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) against the Greek government for its violation of the refugees’ rights in the country.
A sizeable number of Iranian refugee seekers, i.e., escapees from fear of imprisonment, torture and execution, have started a sit-in in front of the UN office in Athens which still continues after 40 days. In a prior protest action a different number of them had initiated a sit-in, which led, in consequence of the irresponsible response of the Greek’s government, to their going on hunger strike and sewing their lips in protest.
Now, after forty-odd days of their second sit-in, the Greek government still refuses to accept any of the refugee’s demands. Indeed, it has basically refused to respond to their demands in any way, except by, once in a while, ordering its police force to raid their sit-in site, beat them and trash their belongings. As a result the protesting refugees began a hunger strike on Thursday, October 14, and eight of them sewed their lips. According to the latest news as of October 21 eleven individuals, out of the total of twenty-five striking refugees, have sewn their lips.
The ghastly scenes of the refugees sewing their lips, reported on the internet and in the media, make one’s hair stand on end. These scenes are transpiring in Greece, a member country of the European Union. This country has, evidently, no defined standards as far as reviewing the refugee applicants’ cases and/or meeting even their most basic, dire needs. Still worse, it has, unfortunately, become renowned for its encroachments on their human rights as refugees and mistreating them.
These refugees have come to Greece seeking protection from a country by the name of Iran – a country suffering under a criminal Islamist regime which has, for the past 31 years, ruled by the horrific rules belonging to a barbaric era. Relying on these ‘holy’ rules it has committed a whole catalogue of medieval crimes against the dissenters, the accused individuals, the youth, the women, the workers, the intellectuals, in short, against the whole society – a catalogue extending from flogging to imprisonment, amputation of the limbs, torture, rape, execution, lynching, assassination and stoning. Thanks to the on-going Iranian people’s movement for freedom, as well as the ridiculous lies of the heads of the Islamic Republic about their oppression of the people in Iran, its true murderous nature has become common knowledge around the world. The Iranian refugees in Turkey, Greece and other countries have escaped such conditions, that is, the 31-year long war of the regime against the nation. They should, therefore, be accepted as refugees with open arms and the least ‘investigations’, and their safety and security be guaranteed in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention, ‘the Legislation that Underpins our Work’ (UNHCR, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49da0e466.html).
To reiterate, the nature of the Iranian regime is clear to the people around the world. What remains to be explained is the irresponsive, and therefore irresponsible, policy adopted by the Greek government vis-à-vis their plight. The silence of the Greek government has, in practice, amounted to ignoring the very human rights the EU is committed to. Are the refugees not human to deserve the protection of the Charter of Human Rights? The Greek government ignores the refugees, their needs and their demands as if it is not part of the EU and does not have to abide by its obligations thereof. The Greek government has simply closed its eyes to the reality of what transpires in Iran. That is the chief reason why it refuses to acknowledge their needs and pay them what they are legally entitled to. Indeed, it essentially refuses to consider them human.
It is reported that refugees, the sick and the healthy, the smoker and non-smoker, are detained in overcrowded 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.
It must be emphasized that during its 22 years of its existence the IFIR has relentlessly defended the refugees from a progressive perspective as humans sans phrase, 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 has forced those innocent human beings into self-harm. This Greek government’s treatment of the refugee seekers violates all universal charters and conventions established to protect humans and, specifically, the refugees. It should therefore be condemned as such and stopped immediately. Why should, especially in a European country, the escapees from hells like Iran 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 give them what is rightfully theirs. In short, they have been pushed into the abyss of despair, which spawns only depression, chronic anxiety, and a whole host of other socio-psychological symptoms.
In view of the above the IFIR would like to lodge this complaint with the European Court of Human Rights against the Greek government for its gross violation of both the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Abdollah Asadi
Secretary,
IFIR
October 23, 2010
CC Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch
Monday, October 25, 2010
Resolution on boycotting the Islamic regime of Iran
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has become an international cause celebre. World public opinion has been outraged at her sentence of death by stoning for adultery and the heinous torture and mistreatment she has faced over the past five years.
Her case has brought focus on the repressive Islamic regime of Iran, its medieval judicial system based on Sharia, and its brutal treatment of women in particular. This is a regime that still stones people to death in the 21st century with its law specifying the size of the stone to be used. And it shows no leniency - even arresting her 22 year old son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Houtan Kian, along with two journalists covering her case on 10 October 2010.
Whilst reiterating our demand that the four along with Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani be immediately and unconditionally released, we find it high time that the Islamic regime of Iran is unequivocally condemned. It is time for governments and institutions to boycott the regime, shut down its embassies and offices, and prosecute its high-ranking officials.
The public outcry regarding Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has become humanity’s cry vis-à-vis this era’s barbarity. Today, her case in specific and stoning in general have become the apartheid of our era – intolerable and unacceptable.
Clearly, a regime that still stones people to death in this day and age must face diplomatic isolation as did the apartheid regime of South Africa. Moreover, stoning must be deemed a crime against humanity. This has to be the beginning of the end.
Mina Ahadi is founder and Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution. She was the National Secular Society’s 2007 Secularist of the Year award winner. She was also selected as one of Elle Quebec’s top 45 women of the year 2007. Her biography, “I have renounced religion,” has been published in 2008 in Germany by Heyne Publishing House. (Germany)
Richard Dawkins is an author and scientist. He has won a number of prizes, including the Sci-Tech Prize for the Best Science Programme of 1987, the 1989 Silver Medal of the Zoological Society of London, the 1990 Royal Society Michael Faraday Award for the furtherance of the public understanding of science, the 1994 Nakayama Prize for Human Science, the 1997 (Fifth) International Cosmos Prize in Commemoration of Expo' 90 (UK)
Sonja Eggerickx is President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the Federation of Flemish Humanist Organisations in Belgium (UVV) and Coordinator of the IHEU's Women's Network. Professionally, she is a Senior Schools Inspector in Moral Education (Belgium)
A. C. Grayling is Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. He has written and edited many books. He is the Editor of Online Review London and Contributing Editor of Prospect magazine. He sits on the editorial boards of several academic journals, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and Royal Society of Arts, and was a Booker Prize judge in 2003 (UK)
Harold Kroto has been knighted in 1996 for his contributions to chemistry and received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the discovery of C60 Buckminsterfullerene, a new form of carbon that year, together with Robert Curl and Richard Smalley of Rice University, Houston, Texas (USA)
Maryam Namazie is a human rights activist, writer, commentator and broadcaster. She is Spokesperson of Iran Solidarity, One Law for All Britain and Equal Rights Now amongst others. She is also the National Secular Society's 2005 Secularist of the Year award winner and an NSS Honorary Associate. Maryam was selected one of Elle Quebec’s top 45 women of the year in 2007 and her blog rated top 100 athiest blogs (UK)
Taslima Nasrin is a physician, human rights activist and award-winning Bangladeshi author of several banned books. She is winner of a number of awards, including the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the Feminist of the Year Award, Free-thought Heroine Award, UNESCO Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence, Grand Prix International Condorcet-Aron 2005, and the Simone de Beauvoir prize (India)
Daniel Salvatore Schiffer is a philosopher, writer and promoter of the “Open Letter to the Iranian Authorities” in support of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. This appeal has been signed by 150,000 people including renowned French and Italian intellectuals and 7 Nobel Prize winners (Belgium)
Terry Sanderson is a journalist, writer and President of the National Secular Society. He is the author of nine books and has written extensively for the national press. His popular column in Gay Times has been appearing continuously for 25 years – the longest-running column ever in the gay press (UK)
Michael Schmidt-Salomon is a philosopher and Spokesperson of Giordano Bruno Foundation. His books include the Manifesto of Evolutionary Humanism: A Plea for a Contemporary Culture and The Church in the Head (Germany)
Annie Sugier founded the “Ligue du droit international des femmes” with Simone de Beauvoir in 1983. Her professional background is scientific. She is officer of the Legion d'Honneur and has published several books, including “Histoires du MLF” (France)
Michèle Vianès is the founder and President of Regards de Femmes, Vice President of the French Coalition of the European Women’s Lobby, and patron of Ni putes ni soumises (France)
Her case has brought focus on the repressive Islamic regime of Iran, its medieval judicial system based on Sharia, and its brutal treatment of women in particular. This is a regime that still stones people to death in the 21st century with its law specifying the size of the stone to be used. And it shows no leniency - even arresting her 22 year old son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Houtan Kian, along with two journalists covering her case on 10 October 2010.
Whilst reiterating our demand that the four along with Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani be immediately and unconditionally released, we find it high time that the Islamic regime of Iran is unequivocally condemned. It is time for governments and institutions to boycott the regime, shut down its embassies and offices, and prosecute its high-ranking officials.
The public outcry regarding Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has become humanity’s cry vis-à-vis this era’s barbarity. Today, her case in specific and stoning in general have become the apartheid of our era – intolerable and unacceptable.
Clearly, a regime that still stones people to death in this day and age must face diplomatic isolation as did the apartheid regime of South Africa. Moreover, stoning must be deemed a crime against humanity. This has to be the beginning of the end.
Mina Ahadi is founder and Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution. She was the National Secular Society’s 2007 Secularist of the Year award winner. She was also selected as one of Elle Quebec’s top 45 women of the year 2007. Her biography, “I have renounced religion,” has been published in 2008 in Germany by Heyne Publishing House. (Germany)
Richard Dawkins is an author and scientist. He has won a number of prizes, including the Sci-Tech Prize for the Best Science Programme of 1987, the 1989 Silver Medal of the Zoological Society of London, the 1990 Royal Society Michael Faraday Award for the furtherance of the public understanding of science, the 1994 Nakayama Prize for Human Science, the 1997 (Fifth) International Cosmos Prize in Commemoration of Expo' 90 (UK)
Sonja Eggerickx is President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the Federation of Flemish Humanist Organisations in Belgium (UVV) and Coordinator of the IHEU's Women's Network. Professionally, she is a Senior Schools Inspector in Moral Education (Belgium)
A. C. Grayling is Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. He has written and edited many books. He is the Editor of Online Review London and Contributing Editor of Prospect magazine. He sits on the editorial boards of several academic journals, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and Royal Society of Arts, and was a Booker Prize judge in 2003 (UK)
Harold Kroto has been knighted in 1996 for his contributions to chemistry and received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for the discovery of C60 Buckminsterfullerene, a new form of carbon that year, together with Robert Curl and Richard Smalley of Rice University, Houston, Texas (USA)
Maryam Namazie is a human rights activist, writer, commentator and broadcaster. She is Spokesperson of Iran Solidarity, One Law for All Britain and Equal Rights Now amongst others. She is also the National Secular Society's 2005 Secularist of the Year award winner and an NSS Honorary Associate. Maryam was selected one of Elle Quebec’s top 45 women of the year in 2007 and her blog rated top 100 athiest blogs (UK)
Taslima Nasrin is a physician, human rights activist and award-winning Bangladeshi author of several banned books. She is winner of a number of awards, including the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the Feminist of the Year Award, Free-thought Heroine Award, UNESCO Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence, Grand Prix International Condorcet-Aron 2005, and the Simone de Beauvoir prize (India)
Daniel Salvatore Schiffer is a philosopher, writer and promoter of the “Open Letter to the Iranian Authorities” in support of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. This appeal has been signed by 150,000 people including renowned French and Italian intellectuals and 7 Nobel Prize winners (Belgium)
Terry Sanderson is a journalist, writer and President of the National Secular Society. He is the author of nine books and has written extensively for the national press. His popular column in Gay Times has been appearing continuously for 25 years – the longest-running column ever in the gay press (UK)
Michael Schmidt-Salomon is a philosopher and Spokesperson of Giordano Bruno Foundation. His books include the Manifesto of Evolutionary Humanism: A Plea for a Contemporary Culture and The Church in the Head (Germany)
Annie Sugier founded the “Ligue du droit international des femmes” with Simone de Beauvoir in 1983. Her professional background is scientific. She is officer of the Legion d'Honneur and has published several books, including “Histoires du MLF” (France)
Michèle Vianès is the founder and President of Regards de Femmes, Vice President of the French Coalition of the European Women’s Lobby, and patron of Ni putes ni soumises (France)
Friday, October 22, 2010
Open letter to Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council
Dear Mr. President,
As we all know, the situation of women in some countries is abysmal. This is the case in countries under Islamic rule such as Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, in which stoning to death (lapidation) for adultery is still being implemented. In Iran, there is the well known case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who is awaiting death by stoning for adultery. Fortunately, the decision for this ‘execution by torture’ has been postponed as a result of the worldwide protests against it.
In the meantime, Ms Ashtiani’s son, Mr. Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Mr. Houtan Kian, have been arrested along with a German journalist and photographer in Tabriz (Iran) on 10 October 2010 at 19.00 hours local time. The security forces raided the lawyer’s office where an interview was taking place and arrested all four.
Their whereabouts are currently unknown and no news has been received of their situation since the arrests. It is known they were arrested given that, at the time of the raid, one of the journalists was on the phone speaking with Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution. The Islamic regime has confirmed the arrest of the two journalists. So we are very worried, as is quite normal in such cases! We know that the European Union has already condemned Ms. Ashtiani’s death sentence by stoning. In September 2010, the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said in his first State of the Union address to parliament that he is "appalled" by the news of the sentencing, and called it "barbaric beyond words." True words indeed but Ms. Ashtiani’s life still hangs in the balance.
Therefore, we would like to ask you, Mr. Van Rompuy, as President of the European Council, to request a firm European statement in which all the 27 member states call for the immediate release of the four people mentioned above and Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and for an end to the barbaric practice of stoning immediately.
Yours sincerely,
Marieke Höfte, President of the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Sonja Eggerickx, President of the Unie Vrijzinnige Verenigingen (Belgium)
Jacinta De Roeck, Director of the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson of Iran Solidarity and One Law for All (UK)
Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution (Germany)
Antwerp, Belgium, 22/10/10
Open brief aan dhr. Herman Van Rompuy, Voorzitter van de Europese Raad
Geachte Mijnheer de Voorzitter,
Zoals wij allemaal weten is de situatie van vrouwen in sommige landen van de wereld afgrijselijk slecht. Dit is het geval in bepaalde landen onder islamitisch regime zoals Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria en Saoedi-Arabië, waar steniging, als doodstraf, nog steeds wordt uitgevoerd. In de Islamitische Republiek van Iran is er het gekende geval van mevr. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, die van overspel beschuldigd werd en nog haar doodsvonnis tot steniging kan verwachten. Als gevolg van het wereldwijde protest daartegen werd de beslissing voor deze ‘executie door foltering’ gelukkig uitgesteld.
Ondertussen echter werden op 10 oktober 2010 lokale tijd in Tabriz (Iran) Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, de zoon van mevr. Ashtiani, en Houtan Kian, haar advocaat, samen met een Duitse journalist en een fotograaf gearresteerd. De veiligheidsdienst bestormde het kantoor van de advocaat, waar net een interview werd afgenomen. De agenten arresteerden de vier personen.
Sindsdien weten we niet waar de vier zich momenteel bevinden. We hebben sinds hun arrestatie geen nieuws meer van hen ontvangen. Het staat vast dat ze werden gearresteerd omdat een van de journalisten op het moment van de inval aan het bellen was met Mina Ahadi, woordvoerster van het International Committee against Stoning en International Committee against Execution. Ondertussen zijn deze vier mensen nog niet naar huis of naar hun hotel teruggekeerd; het Islamitisch regime heeft de arrestatie van de twee journalisten bevestigd.
Dat maakt ons dus bijzonder ongerust, wat normaal is in dit soort gevallen! We weten dat de Europese Gemeenschap reeds de doodstraf door steniging van mevr. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani heeft veroordeeld. In zijn eerste Verklaring aan het Parlement in september 2010 heeft dhr. José Manuel Barroso, Voorzitter van de Europese Commissie, gezegd dat hij “geschokt” was toen hij het nieuws van de veroordeling vernam. Hij noemde heel de zaak een “barbarij waar geen woorden meer voor zijn”. Mooi en juist gezegd, maar ondertussen hangt het leven van mevr. Ashtiani aan een zijden draadje.
Daarom zouden wij u willen vragen, geachte heer Van Rompuy, om als Voorzitter van de Europese Raad mee te helpen pleiten voor een stevig Europees standpunt waarbij alle 27 lidstaten oproepen tot de onmiddellijke vrijlating van de vier vermelde personen, samen met mevr. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, en de onmiddellijke stopzetting van de barbaarse praktijk van steniging.
Hoogachtend,
Marieke Höfte, Voorzitter van de Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Sonja Eggerickx, Voorzitter van de Unie Vrijzinnige Verenigingen (Belgium)
Jacinta De Roeck, Directeur van de Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Maryam Namazie, Woordvoerster van de One Law for All Campaign against Sharia (UK)
Mina Ahadi, Woordvoerster van het International Committee against Stoning en International Committee against Execution (Germany)
Antwerpen, België, 22/10/10
As we all know, the situation of women in some countries is abysmal. This is the case in countries under Islamic rule such as Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, in which stoning to death (lapidation) for adultery is still being implemented. In Iran, there is the well known case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who is awaiting death by stoning for adultery. Fortunately, the decision for this ‘execution by torture’ has been postponed as a result of the worldwide protests against it.
In the meantime, Ms Ashtiani’s son, Mr. Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and lawyer, Mr. Houtan Kian, have been arrested along with a German journalist and photographer in Tabriz (Iran) on 10 October 2010 at 19.00 hours local time. The security forces raided the lawyer’s office where an interview was taking place and arrested all four.
Their whereabouts are currently unknown and no news has been received of their situation since the arrests. It is known they were arrested given that, at the time of the raid, one of the journalists was on the phone speaking with Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution. The Islamic regime has confirmed the arrest of the two journalists. So we are very worried, as is quite normal in such cases! We know that the European Union has already condemned Ms. Ashtiani’s death sentence by stoning. In September 2010, the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said in his first State of the Union address to parliament that he is "appalled" by the news of the sentencing, and called it "barbaric beyond words." True words indeed but Ms. Ashtiani’s life still hangs in the balance.
Therefore, we would like to ask you, Mr. Van Rompuy, as President of the European Council, to request a firm European statement in which all the 27 member states call for the immediate release of the four people mentioned above and Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and for an end to the barbaric practice of stoning immediately.
Yours sincerely,
Marieke Höfte, President of the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Sonja Eggerickx, President of the Unie Vrijzinnige Verenigingen (Belgium)
Jacinta De Roeck, Director of the Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson of Iran Solidarity and One Law for All (UK)
Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson of the International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution (Germany)
Antwerp, Belgium, 22/10/10
Open brief aan dhr. Herman Van Rompuy, Voorzitter van de Europese Raad
Geachte Mijnheer de Voorzitter,
Zoals wij allemaal weten is de situatie van vrouwen in sommige landen van de wereld afgrijselijk slecht. Dit is het geval in bepaalde landen onder islamitisch regime zoals Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria en Saoedi-Arabië, waar steniging, als doodstraf, nog steeds wordt uitgevoerd. In de Islamitische Republiek van Iran is er het gekende geval van mevr. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, die van overspel beschuldigd werd en nog haar doodsvonnis tot steniging kan verwachten. Als gevolg van het wereldwijde protest daartegen werd de beslissing voor deze ‘executie door foltering’ gelukkig uitgesteld.
Ondertussen echter werden op 10 oktober 2010 lokale tijd in Tabriz (Iran) Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, de zoon van mevr. Ashtiani, en Houtan Kian, haar advocaat, samen met een Duitse journalist en een fotograaf gearresteerd. De veiligheidsdienst bestormde het kantoor van de advocaat, waar net een interview werd afgenomen. De agenten arresteerden de vier personen.
Sindsdien weten we niet waar de vier zich momenteel bevinden. We hebben sinds hun arrestatie geen nieuws meer van hen ontvangen. Het staat vast dat ze werden gearresteerd omdat een van de journalisten op het moment van de inval aan het bellen was met Mina Ahadi, woordvoerster van het International Committee against Stoning en International Committee against Execution. Ondertussen zijn deze vier mensen nog niet naar huis of naar hun hotel teruggekeerd; het Islamitisch regime heeft de arrestatie van de twee journalisten bevestigd.
Dat maakt ons dus bijzonder ongerust, wat normaal is in dit soort gevallen! We weten dat de Europese Gemeenschap reeds de doodstraf door steniging van mevr. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani heeft veroordeeld. In zijn eerste Verklaring aan het Parlement in september 2010 heeft dhr. José Manuel Barroso, Voorzitter van de Europese Commissie, gezegd dat hij “geschokt” was toen hij het nieuws van de veroordeling vernam. Hij noemde heel de zaak een “barbarij waar geen woorden meer voor zijn”. Mooi en juist gezegd, maar ondertussen hangt het leven van mevr. Ashtiani aan een zijden draadje.
Daarom zouden wij u willen vragen, geachte heer Van Rompuy, om als Voorzitter van de Europese Raad mee te helpen pleiten voor een stevig Europees standpunt waarbij alle 27 lidstaten oproepen tot de onmiddellijke vrijlating van de vier vermelde personen, samen met mevr. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, en de onmiddellijke stopzetting van de barbaarse praktijk van steniging.
Hoogachtend,
Marieke Höfte, Voorzitter van de Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Sonja Eggerickx, Voorzitter van de Unie Vrijzinnige Verenigingen (Belgium)
Jacinta De Roeck, Directeur van de Humanistisch-Vrijzinnige Vereniging (Belgium)
Maryam Namazie, Woordvoerster van de One Law for All Campaign against Sharia (UK)
Mina Ahadi, Woordvoerster van het International Committee against Stoning en International Committee against Execution (Germany)
Antwerpen, België, 22/10/10
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Facebook: Is this to be the norm?
I just wrote this email to Facebook, which has again blocked links in my letter from One Law for All:
I am told that a link to a letter from our organisation – One Law for All-to the British government has been deemed abusive and therefore been blocked. This is bordering on the ridiculous.
The letter is asking the British government for clarification on the law. You can see it here.
Also my post to members of the One Law for All group, can be seen here.
There is nothing abusive in this letter and link nor in any other link that you have blocked – most recently with regards the Iran stoning case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
Maybe you should start considering the intentions of those ‘complaining’ about my posts rather than focusing all your attention on and blocking my legitimate human rights campaigning work.
I do hope to receive an apology as this has happened once too many times. Also I would like clarification on whether this will be the norm given that it has been lately happening at least once a week.
I look forward to your response.
Maryam
I am told that a link to a letter from our organisation – One Law for All-to the British government has been deemed abusive and therefore been blocked. This is bordering on the ridiculous.
The letter is asking the British government for clarification on the law. You can see it here.
Also my post to members of the One Law for All group, can be seen here.
There is nothing abusive in this letter and link nor in any other link that you have blocked – most recently with regards the Iran stoning case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
Maybe you should start considering the intentions of those ‘complaining’ about my posts rather than focusing all your attention on and blocking my legitimate human rights campaigning work.
I do hope to receive an apology as this has happened once too many times. Also I would like clarification on whether this will be the norm given that it has been lately happening at least once a week.
I look forward to your response.
Maryam
An Update on One Law for All Campaign
One Law for All is organising some exciting events in the coming months; we hope you can join us.
PASSION FOR FREEDOM ART EXHIBITION 20-27 NOVEMBER 2010
WITH PRIVATE VIEWING ON SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2010
One Law for All is pleased to present an art exhibition in London during 20-27 November 2010 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.
You are invited to a private viewing on 20 November 2010 from 18.30-21.30 hours. If you are able to attend opening night, please RSVP as soon as possible.
The opening and exhibition 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.
To RSVP your attendance at opening night, please send your name and telephone number to onelawforall@gmail.com. The exhibition will be open to the public 21-27 November.
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. 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 include Mina Ahadi, Tarek Fatah, Rumy Hassan, Marieme Helie Lucas, Maryam Namazie, Hassan Radwan, Gita Sahgal, Hamed Abdol Samad, Terry Sanderson, Alom Shaha, Bahram Soroush, Peter Tatchell, and Anne Marie Waters,
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 sponsored by Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, Iran Solidarity, National Secular Society, One Law for All and South Place Ethical Society.
WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 2011 ENEMIES NOT ALLIES SEMINAR
Please also hold the date for a seminar at Conway Hall from 18.30-20.30 hours on ‘Enemies not Allies.’ The seminar will discuss ‘left wing’ organisations which have taken the side of or failed to condemn Islamists in political discourse, including Unite Against Fascism and The Respect Party as well as racist and far Right groups such as the English Defence League and Stop Islamisation of Europe which are using concern over Sharia law to promote their racist and anti-immigrant agenda. The seminar will coincide with the publication of a report on the same issue. More information on this seminar will be posted on our website soon.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Co-Spokesperson Anne Marie Waters has just written a letter to Home Secretary Theresa May, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, and Attorney General Dominic Grieve asking for an urgent clarification of law and urging equal rights for all. You can read the letter here.
One Law for All has also just published a ‘Know your Rights Leaflet’ and an extensive list of resources on Sharia law.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
If you haven’t already please support us in any way you can. Join us at any or all of our events or volunteer your skills and time. Sign our petition and encourage others to do so. So far over 26,700 people and organisations have signed up to our call for an end to religious laws. You can find the petition here. Most importantly, please donate to the crucial work of our organisation if you can. We urgently need regular support that we can rely on and are asking for 100 donors to commit to at least £5-10 a month via direct debit. Details on the 100 Club can be found here. This is particularly important given that many of our requests for funding to foundations have been denied due to the controversial nature of our work. No amount is too small - all of it counts and helps us in our work!
We have only managed to come this far because of your support but we need a lot more in order to do all that needs to be done to get rid of Sharia and religious laws and strengthen secularism.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Warm wishes
Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX
onelawforall@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
PS For an urgent update on the Iran stoning case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, please visit the site of the International Committee Against Stoning. The latest news is that Ms Ashtiani’s 22 year old son and lawyer have been arrested since 10 October along with two journalists. We are working with the ICAS to secure their release and the release of Ms Ashtiani and stop stoning and execution. Join us in this important task.
PASSION FOR FREEDOM ART EXHIBITION 20-27 NOVEMBER 2010
WITH PRIVATE VIEWING ON SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2010
One Law for All is pleased to present an art exhibition in London during 20-27 November 2010 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.
You are invited to a private viewing on 20 November 2010 from 18.30-21.30 hours. If you are able to attend opening night, please RSVP as soon as possible.
The opening and exhibition 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.
To RSVP your attendance at opening night, please send your name and telephone number to onelawforall@gmail.com. The exhibition will be open to the public 21-27 November.
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. 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 include Mina Ahadi, Tarek Fatah, Rumy Hassan, Marieme Helie Lucas, Maryam Namazie, Hassan Radwan, Gita Sahgal, Hamed Abdol Samad, Terry Sanderson, Alom Shaha, Bahram Soroush, Peter Tatchell, and Anne Marie Waters,
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 sponsored by Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, Iran Solidarity, National Secular Society, One Law for All and South Place Ethical Society.
WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 2011 ENEMIES NOT ALLIES SEMINAR
Please also hold the date for a seminar at Conway Hall from 18.30-20.30 hours on ‘Enemies not Allies.’ The seminar will discuss ‘left wing’ organisations which have taken the side of or failed to condemn Islamists in political discourse, including Unite Against Fascism and The Respect Party as well as racist and far Right groups such as the English Defence League and Stop Islamisation of Europe which are using concern over Sharia law to promote their racist and anti-immigrant agenda. The seminar will coincide with the publication of a report on the same issue. More information on this seminar will be posted on our website soon.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Co-Spokesperson Anne Marie Waters has just written a letter to Home Secretary Theresa May, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, and Attorney General Dominic Grieve asking for an urgent clarification of law and urging equal rights for all. You can read the letter here.
One Law for All has also just published a ‘Know your Rights Leaflet’ and an extensive list of resources on Sharia law.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
If you haven’t already please support us in any way you can. Join us at any or all of our events or volunteer your skills and time. Sign our petition and encourage others to do so. So far over 26,700 people and organisations have signed up to our call for an end to religious laws. You can find the petition here. Most importantly, please donate to the crucial work of our organisation if you can. We urgently need regular support that we can rely on and are asking for 100 donors to commit to at least £5-10 a month via direct debit. Details on the 100 Club can be found here. This is particularly important given that many of our requests for funding to foundations have been denied due to the controversial nature of our work. No amount is too small - all of it counts and helps us in our work!
We have only managed to come this far because of your support but we need a lot more in order to do all that needs to be done to get rid of Sharia and religious laws and strengthen secularism.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Warm wishes
Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX
onelawforall@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
PS For an urgent update on the Iran stoning case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, please visit the site of the International Committee Against Stoning. The latest news is that Ms Ashtiani’s 22 year old son and lawyer have been arrested since 10 October along with two journalists. We are working with the ICAS to secure their release and the release of Ms Ashtiani and stop stoning and execution. Join us in this important task.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sakineh's son and lawyer to appear in court on 19 October
PR 81
18 October 2010
ICAS and ICAE has received news that at least two of the four people arrested last Sunday 10 October in Tabriz, Iran are due to appear in court tomorrow, Tuesday 19 October 2010. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s 22 year old son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, were with two German journalists when the Islamic regime’s forces raided the house and arrested all four. Only the arrests of the two journalists have been confirmed officially and there is no information on the well being of the four men. They are being held in a secret prison unit in Tabriz and have been interrogated over the last week. According to our information they have been interrogated about their contact with foreign media and it is particularly Sajjad Ghaderzadeh who has been put under extensive pressure.
We condemn the arrests and demand the immediate release of Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, Houtan Kian and the two German journalists as well as Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
International Committee against Stoning
International Committee against Execution
18 October 2010
For more information contact:
Spokesperson Mina Ahadi
minaahadi@aol.com
0049 1775692413
18 October 2010
ICAS and ICAE has received news that at least two of the four people arrested last Sunday 10 October in Tabriz, Iran are due to appear in court tomorrow, Tuesday 19 October 2010. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s 22 year old son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, were with two German journalists when the Islamic regime’s forces raided the house and arrested all four. Only the arrests of the two journalists have been confirmed officially and there is no information on the well being of the four men. They are being held in a secret prison unit in Tabriz and have been interrogated over the last week. According to our information they have been interrogated about their contact with foreign media and it is particularly Sajjad Ghaderzadeh who has been put under extensive pressure.
We condemn the arrests and demand the immediate release of Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, Houtan Kian and the two German journalists as well as Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.
International Committee against Stoning
International Committee against Execution
18 October 2010
For more information contact:
Spokesperson Mina Ahadi
minaahadi@aol.com
0049 1775692413
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