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Petition Tag - ahmadinejad
1. Free Iranian Activist Peyman Aref, Re-Arrested After A Year In Prison -- And 74 Horrific Lashes 
Peyman Aref, a student of political science at Tehran University, was sentenced in March 2010 to a year in jail after being found guilty of propaganda against the regime for speaking to foreign media.
Aref, who was initially arrested in the aftermath of Iran's disputed presidential elections in 2009, was also sentenced to 74 lashes for writing an "insulting" letter to Ahmadinejad and given a lifetime ban on working as a journalist or membership of any political parties.
His jail sentence came to an end on Sunday, October 9,. 2011-- but, hours before his release from Tehran's notorious Evin prison, Aref was told the lashing would be carried out.
A masked prison guard carried out the lashing in presence of Aref's wife and officials from Iran's judiciary. News of the lashing come only a few weeks after Somayeh Tohidlou, a female Iranian blogger and campaigner for former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, was sentenced to a "symbolic" lashing for the same crime.
Unlike Tohidlou's symbolic punishment – designed to humiliate rather than harm – Aref was indeed whipped. Pictures taken after his release show his bloodied back covered in wounds.
"Lashing people sentenced to various charges such as those caught drinking alcohol is common in Iran but political activists are usually lashed for ambiguous charges such as desecrating Islam or prophets," said an Iranian journalist based in Tehran who asked not to be named. "Lashing Aref for insulting Ahmadinejad is shocking and unprecedented."
In a letter to the president during his 2009 election campaign, Aref attacked Ahmadinejad for his crackdown on students who had been politically active at university and barred from continuing with their studies.
Undergraduates and students who had criticised the government were given up to three "penalty points", according to the potential threat they were said to pose. Aref was among the "three-starred" MA students who were not not allowed to continue their studies. About 150 were starred.
Speaking to the website Rahesabz, Aref said after his release: "Whenever Ahmadinejad goes to New York [for UN general assembly], he boasts that Iran is the world's freest country but I was brutally flogged in my country for insulting him."
He added: "[My crime] was that I wrote an open letter to Ahmadinejad and reminded him of what he did to the universities." Authorities apparently have taken offense because Aref refused to begin his letter with the formal greeting "Salam" as a sign of protest. Iran's online community reacted with shock to Aref's lashing with many people sharing pictures of his back covered in blood on social networking websites.
On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, Peyman Aref was arrested once again, just days after his release.
The Rahana Human Rights House of Iran reported that Aref went to Evin Court on that day for processing of the charges against him and he was arrested once more.
Aref was previously arrested, along with fellow activists Assal Esmaizadeh and Sharar Konour Tabrizi, on Sunday, October 30, 2011 in Beheshte Zahra Cemetery. They were visiting the grave of Neda AghaSoltan, the young woman who was shot to death on the streets of Tehran during election protests in June 2009. The activists were released one day later.
After his release, Aref told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that there are no laws against visiting a grave and no arrest warrants were issued. He added that even after their arrest, they were not charged with any crimes.
The other two activists reportedly were released while Aref was rearrested. It is thought that Aref had angered the authorities by allowing his wounds from the vicious whipping ("lashing") to be photographed.
2. Walk out from UN General Assembly when deligation of Ali Khamenei Speaks
Iran’s Supreme leader is sending his representative to the UN General Assembly again to take advantage of this important tribune for his inhumane and malicious propaganda.
The delegation sent by Ali Khamenei, the brutal dictator of Iran, does not represent Iranian people; the illegitimate ruler is pursuing his own secret agenda, defying free will of Iranian people, breaching international obligations and ignoring values and virtues of humanity.
Neda is the real voice of Iran, who was shot dead in the streets of Tehran in June 2009 after the Iranian fraudulent Presidential Election. They murdered Neda to silence the free voice of Iran, but to their dismay, her voice has become stronger and louder not only in Iran, but has spread all over the world.
3. Free Iranian Economist Fariborz Raisdana
Fariborz Raisdana, an Iranian economist who criticized government-subsidy cuts by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s administration, has been sentenced to one year in prison.
According to Aftab news, the charges against Fariborz Raisdana range from “membership in Writers’ Association, preparing press releases for seditionists, issuing announcements against the regime and propaganda for leftist and Marxist groups, interviews with the BBC and VOA, and accusing the Islamic Republic of prisoner abuse.”
The Iranian government implemented the so-called “targeting of subsidies” law last year, causing Iranians to pay higher prices for energy and food staples. The government gave cash benefits to households to help them adjust to the higher costs of everyday needs. The plan was criticized by many experts, including Raisdana, who predicted rising inflation and hardship for the working class.
Raisdana was arrested last December after he spoke against the subsidy changes with the BBC. He was released on bail after a month. This is not the first time Fariborz Raisdana has been in prison, as he has been imprisoned before for questioning the political system in Iran, nevertheless he has continued to call for reforms within Iran.
4. Free Ghorban Behzadian Nejad
On Monday, May 24, 2011 Security agents summoned Ghorban Ali Behzadian Nejad and returned this university professor back to Evin Prison. He had served as the head of Mir Hossein Mousavi's presidential campaign in 2009.
According to Kalame, Behzadian Nejad had been arrested during the events following the contested presidential election results. He was released on bail after several months of enduring solitary confinement in prison. He was subsequently sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. During this time, this university professor who served as adviser to Mir Hossein Mousavi was deprived of his position in the university and suspended of all academic activities.
Dr. Ghorban Behzadian Nejad served as a PhD professor of Microbiology at the Tarbiat Modares University (Teacher’s Training School). He is a scholar who has also contributed to a multitude of cultural activities. Among his previous positions, he served as Deputy Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education under the presidency of Mohammad Khatami. He also served as adviser to the Minister of Health for electing presidents of medical universities.
His return to prison came just one day after former president Mohammad Khatami urged the Islamic Republic establishment to move toward a national reconciliation by releasing all political prisoners. Several of Mousavi’s senior aides in the election of 2009 have been arrested and given harsh prison sentences for the charge of acting against national security by alleging fraud in the elections.
5. Protest against Human Rights Violations in Iran at UN September 2009
On 12th of June 2009 people of Iran voted for change but their votes were stolen and the loser Ahmadi Nejad claimed victory.
People challenged the authorities and asked for openness and transparency, the authorities ignored people and labeled them as "dust & dirt”.
People poured to streets and protested, the government banned protests and mobilized forces and pain cloths mercenaries to insult them Instead of defending people’s rights, some hand selected deputies, sit obediently in the parliament, Majles, to serve their own private interests Ministry of Interior affairs does not allow legal and peaceful demonstrations, but send riot police with tear gas, water bombs and guns to attach them.
A number of universities and dormitories have been viciously invaded by security forces and their plain clothes collaborators.
Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, the only Iranian Noble peace Laurite, has condemned the brutality of Iranian authorities, and now the Judiciary system has summoned her and is going to prosecute her.
On Friday 12th of June Iranian people voted in the presidential elections, many with much dissatisfaction about how they were ruled for the last four years, and with high hopes for a change. Yet Iranians woke up the following day to a result which many believe to have been rigged, becoming what many are now calling a coup d’état by the Ahmadinejad’s government, against the vote of the people.
در تاریخ 22 خرداد بسیاری از مردم ایران در پی نارضایتی 4 ساله و امید برای تغییر در انتخابات ریاست جمهوری شرکت کردند، ولی صبح روز بعد از انتخابات ایرانیان با نتایجی مواجه شدند که بسیاری بر این باورند که در آن تقلب شده، و از آن تحت عنوان کودتای دولت احمدی نژاد علیه رای مردم یاد میکنند.
There have been many issues surrounding the elections which have led to these allegations of fraud, including heavy censorship, arrests and repression of the reformists and their supporters, beatings and shootings at demonstrations by government forces which have led to high numbers of causalities and a growing number of deaths.
اتفاقات بسیاری در حول وحوش مساله ی انتخابات افتاده که منجر به ادعای جعلی بودن نتایج آن شده است از جمله سانسور شدید، دستگیری و سرکوب رفرمیست ها و هوادارانشان، ضرب و شتم و گشودن آتش به روی مردم توسط نیروهای دولتی که باعث بالا رفتن تعداد کشته شدگان شده است.
The escalation of censorship of newspapers, websites, TV and radio services around the elections have contributed to the reporting of the events surrounding this event extremely difficult. Many international human rights organizations including Amnesty international, Article 19, Reporters Sans Frontier, and others have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Iranian elections and the events that have followed it since.
اعمال سانسور بر روزنامه ها، وبسایت ها، تلویزیون و رادیو هایی که به پوشش اخبار مربوط به انتخابات ایران میپرداختند به شدت افزایش یافته است. بسیاری از سازمان های بین المللی حقوق بشر از جمله سازمان عفو بین الملل، بند19، گزارشگران خط مقدم و... نارضایتی خود را در باب مساله ی انتخابات و اتفاقات پس از آن ابراز کردند
7. Petition for Religious Freedom in Iran
As Friday 12th of 2009 the Islamic Republic of Iran re-elected Mahmud Ahmadinejad for the presidency it is risen the concern about the Christian minority in this Country.
The legal deterrence as the opposition to cult in Persian, the official language, for instance, implies in the non-observation of the freedom of religion issued in several international treaties binding the Islamic Republic of Iran.
8. Support Democracy & Human Rights in Iran
To the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd,
On June 12, 2009, millions of Iranians, many of whom have friends and family here in Australia, went to the polls to elect their next president. Unlike the 2005 presidential elections where 48% of the electorate voted in run-off elections to choose Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, many more voters were expected to and did turn-out to vote against his disastrous domestic and foreign policies.
However, even before a tally of the votes could be taken Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his supporters declared victory with 63% of the popular vote. With lightning speed his rival’s campaign headquarters were closed, many of their leaders were arrested and a heavy police and paramilitary presence was brought into the streets. Are these the actions of someone who has won a free and fair election?
Although the world does not yet realize it, on June 13th we witnessed an unprecedented coup d’état veiled in the guise of a popular election. If this coup is allowed to succeed and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) are allowed to consolidate their power, not only will they pose a danger to the Iranian people, but will also become a much greater threat to the outside world.
The implications of this coup are far-reaching. Whereas before the hard-line elements in the IRGC were held in check by the Supreme Leader and the clergy, over the last four years they have come to assume a position of immense power in Iran.
This coup represents the consummation of their new position in the state, and has grave implications for the Iranian people, Australia and the Western world.
9. Open Letter to the United Nations
This week Iranians turned out in record numbers not seen since the beginning of the Iranian revolution to change their current President Mahmood Ahmadinejad.
10. Support the Demands of Iranian People for a Fair Election
Background:
Please read Amnesty International Background information: http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/iran/background-information-on-the-election-in-iran/page.do?id=1641044
Aim of the Petition:
Asking political leaders of the free world, such as India, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, to assert their concerns on the election results, condemn the extreme measures of violence by security forces in Iran, and call for a NEW election but under international supervision.
If you do NOT wish to sign this petition, you can write and send your own letter/email to these authorities, but please use a soft and diplomatic tone and avoid allegations and claims that are provocative, especially using keywords like coup would make people feel you have an agenda in mind.
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Please note that your signature and other information are protected and would not be shared with anyone except in the letters that are being sent to the political leaders of aimed countries.
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11. Protest against Ahmadinejad election coup in Iran - 13 june 2009
The tenth president election in Iran on June, 13th,
and the election coup, and the afterward events.
12. Protest against the June 2009 coup d'état in Iran
The 2009 Iranian presidential election was held on 12 June 2009 in Iran, the tenth presidential election to be held in the country. The incumbent was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The Iranian reform movement attempted to unite behind former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi. The turnout was very high with around 85 percent of the electorate voting. Unofficial results from within the interim ministry report Mousavi the absolute winner with 54% of the votes with Mehdi Karoubi and Ahmadinejad with 31% and 13% ranked after Mousavi.
In total denial of Iranian people's choice, the Islamic Republic's officials announced Ahmadinejad to be the winner and Iranians are repressed by military forces.
13. Say No to censorship in Iran
A petition to Say No to censorship in Iran.
14. Talented young artist and family under threat of deportation to Iran
BEHNAM AND FAMILY MUST STAY!
Behnam, an outstanding young artist and BA Hons Fine Art student at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, University of the Arts London, his younger brother, a gap year student, both former students at Quintin Kynaston School, and their mother, are in urgent need of asylum in the UK. They have lived in London since 2002.
What Behnam and his mother face is deportation to prison, torture and likely death.
As a former teacher at the boys' school and now a close family friend, I have known Behnam since his arrival at the school in 2003. I vouch for the family's complete integrity and for the authenticity of their asylum claim.
Behnam is a delightful, popular young man, an excellent role model for young people. In recognition of his achievements under adversity he was Highly Commended at the Anne Frank Awards in 2007. In 2008 he was made an Ambassador for Refugees and Arts by the Refugees & the Arts Initiative. In June 2009 Behnam was invited to work alongside an established artist facilitating a day of workshops on Islamic glasspainting at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Much of Behnam's artwork reflects his open-minded approach to politics and religion and his strong opposition to the current theocratic regime in Iran. This, alone, would place him in great danger in today's Iran.
In 2008 Behnam held an exhibition "Visions of Freedom" at the Watermans Arts Centre, Brentford, his fifth solo art exhibition in London. His latest travelling exhibition, "Where is Their Vote?", was inspired by the courage of the protesters following the Presidential Election of June, 2009. He has also exhibited alongside other artists including at venues that include the Human Rights Centre of Amnesty International,St Ethelberga's Church of Reconciliation, Portsmouth University and the Free Word Centre. He and his family are an enormous asset to our society.
The image included is "Hope for Freedom" by Behnam, aged 16, depicting the view of a political prisoner looking out towards freedom. The doves and the Statue of Liberty are outlined in the colours of the Iranian flag. Around the image are representaions of the ancient Persian Human Rights Codes of Cyrus.
In April 2005 two of Behnam's friends were arrested at Behnam's family's home in Tehran for allegedly printing and distributing anti-regime literature.
Three days later Behnam's father was arrested on arrival at Tehran Airport. Beaten and interrogated about the whereabouts of his wife and older son, Behnam's father was released following the payment of money.
He warned his wife in London, that she and Behnam were wanted by the authorities and could not return to Iran. He was subsequently re-arrested and held in the notorious Evin Prison for 15 months until he was conditionally released.
The family claimed asylum in the UK, but their claim was rejected. It again failed on appeal and this was upheld at a reconsideration hearing. Shortly after receiving this news the boys' mother collapsed and was taken to hospital. This has happened on a number of occasions since this situation arose and is clearly related to deep fears.
The family sought to take the case to the Court of Appeal, especially as there is evidence which was not available at the earlier hearing, but their application was rejected.
A fresh asylum claim, based on substantial additional evidence, was submitted in April 2008. This time the family has a highly competent solicitor. For seventeen long months there was no response from the Home Office but there have now been indications that the Home Office is about to consider the fresh application.
Should the fresh application, however, be rejected, their position is one of great danger. Both Behnam and his mother have been tried and sentenced in absentia by a court in Iran on political charges. Behnam has been sentenced prison for 5 years, his mother to 7 years.
Even more shocking is that they have been warned that they will receive lashes, 70 in Behnam's case and 100 in the mother's. Knowing the people concerned we cannot see how they could survive such a brutal ordeal.
The Iranian regime has an appalling, and deteriorating, Human Rights record - including executions of minors, floggings, rape and other forms of torture. The already lamentable state of human rights in Iran has worsened even further following the phoney Presidetial election of June 2009, with groups such as students and artists being targetted.
We are completely dismayed and outraged by the suffering this delightful family are going through. They fell victim of serious malpractice by their previous legal representative.The family has so far been denied justice.
Should the fresh application be refused,the family is at real risk of deportation to Iran. This petition is part of a campaign to stop this.
Please sign the onlne petition if you have not signed the paper one. In all, over 11,200 people have so far signed the petition, demonstrating the enormous concern there is for this much loved, vulnerable family in such danger.
Included in a long list of prominent supporters of the campaign are Isabelle Allende, Michael Palin, Nicole Farhi, Katherine Hammett, Paula Rego, Mark Titchner, Ken Loache, Polly Toynbee, Yasmin Allibhai-Brown, Rory Bremner, Darius Campbell Danesh , Eva Schloss (Anne Frank's step-sister), faith and community leaders, MPs, Peers and MEPs.
THEY MUST NOT BE RETURNED TO IRAN TO BE TORTURED! THEY MUST BE ALLOWED TO STAY IN THE UK!
If you would like to get involved in the campaign please let me know.
On behalf of the family, thanks for your support.
Pauline Levis
Coordinator, Behnam & Family Must Stay Campaign
pauline.levis@btopenworld.com
