Urgent request !

Over 80 students were arrested, 8 people were killed and at least 1,300 people have been arrested after the 19th of December 

Urgent request to save those recently arrested and sentenced to death

Saturday, 02 January 2010

Dear fellow Europeans and supporters of human rights,

By now we are sure you are familiar with the gross injustices that have occurred in Iran following the elections of last summer. We, along with many other concerned Iranians and non-Iranians, have been active in raising awareness of the suppression of people’s liberties by the Iranian government. We realize that many people throughout Europe have been active in showing their solidarity with the democratic movement in Iran and we are very grateful.

However, the reason we are writing to you now is to express our urgent concern over the escalating violence and suppression of peaceful protest, the extremely harsh and cruel treatment of political prisoners (including rape and torture) and the recent arrest of over 80 students in Iran. Over the last six months we have been continually informing the public of the events in Iran but we believe that what has taken place in the last week has placed a far greater number of innocent lives in jeopardy and therefore requires immediate action and deserves special attention.

The purpose of this letter is, first of all, to reiterate the importance of supporting Iran’s recent struggle for freedom, equality and democracy and, second, to kindly ask you to support them in a number of simple ways in order to protect them from more mistreatment and even death.

We would like draw your attention to the following facts:

1. Government reports state that at last 8 people were killed and at least 1,300 people have been arrested during protests after the 19th of December (the death of dissident cleric Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri).
2. Former prisoners have reported experiences of brutal rape and the frequent use of torture in Iran’s prisons. These descriptions have increased dramatically over the last few weeks proving that the human rights situation in Iran is reaching its lowest point ever.
3. Over 80 students from different universities across Iran were arrested on the 27th of December. Among them was the prominent student activist, Bahareh Hedayat, who is the spokeswoman for the student union “Office for Strengthening Unity”.
4. Mohseni Ejee, Prosecutor General of the Iranian courts, has announced that at least, three protesters will be sentenced to death. He warned that more political prisoners will be sentenced to death soon. The Parliament Speaker, Ali Larijani, and some other officials have also threatened that authorities will take vigorous actions against every kind of protest.

As advocates of human rights and democracy for all people of the world we understand that a lot more needs to be done in every corner of the world, particularly in places where people have little or no possibilities for voicing their concerns. The lack of access to media and the suppression of communication with the rest of the world have contributed to governments, organizations and individuals acting too slowly in response to atrocities. However, limited information and communication can not be used as an excuse in relation to the situation in Iran. All forms of media, particularly the internet, has been bombarded with images, videos, accounts and reports about the ruthless crackdown and human rights abuses committed against peaceful protestors. We believe, as citizens of free and democratic countries, that we have the responsibility to respond to their pleas for help – pleas directed at all of us.

If you believe that human rights and democracy should be enjoyed by all humans we request that you join us to help change the situation. You can express your solidarity with the people of Iran by simply asking the governments of Europe, your local council, community organizations, human rights groups, educational institutions and student organizations to play a more involved role in supporting the democratic grassroots movement. In light of the scale of the recent atrocities and the continuous pleas of the people we argue that:

1. Governments must not stand aloof or remain silent about human rights abuses and should discontinue diplomatic and economic relation with the Iranian regime.
2. Human rights groups and community organizations need to take a more active role in pressuring the Iranian regime to respect human rights.
3. Academics from all disciplines must recognize the fact that their voices are among the most important and influential and that their peers in Iran desperately need their solidarity.
4. Student organizations of all kinds need to prepare activities which will raise awareness of the plight of their fellow students in Iran and assist them in realizing their goal of a free and democratic Iran.

With your help Iran’s peaceful protesters can be inspired to continue to improve their social and political situation. With your help the deaths that have occurred will not be in vain and no more people will have to make the ultimate sacrifice. With your help innocent people held in prisons will be treated humanely and released. With your help students will be able to help lead their country toward freedom, equality and democracy without fear. As a citizen of a democratic country you can play a vital role in ensuring that the leaders of the current Iranian regime can be held accountable for their actions including the horrific murders of thousands. However, time is running out for many victims of the government crackdown and we sincerely urge you to act quickly. Please contact us in order to discuss the fastest and best way to respond to the crisis in Iran.

In hope of peace and progress,

Iranian Progressive Youth

January 2, 2010