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Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 9:07 AM
ATTENTION: FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY EDITORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The International Society for Peace and Human Rights Calls for an end to the
Illegal Imprisonment, Torture, and Execution of Kurdish Prisoners in Iran’s Prisons
Vancouver, British Columbia, September 29, 2008 – the International Society for Peace and Human Rights [www.peaceandhumanrights.org] is deeply concerned about the condition of Kurds imprisoned in Iran. On August 25th, approximately 200 Kurdish prisoners of conscience mounted a hunger strike to protest the use of the death penalty and the prevalence of torture in detention centres across Iran. A month into the hunger strike, the prisoners’ health has deteriorated greatly and it is feared that some will soon die. Despite requests, no international humanitarian organization or monitoring agency has been granted access to the prisoners.
ISPHR’s Chairperson, Dr. Saren Azer, was a Kurdish prisoner of conscience in Iran during the early 1990s prior to becoming a refugee in Canada. Dr. Azer is gravely aware of the heinous treatment of Kurds in Iran including the frequent detention for the expression of non-violent opinions. “The Iranian regime is notorious for its persecution of the Kurds and the current plight of Kurdish prisoners is all too symptomatic of its disregard for basic human rights. We call upon Canadians to learn more about these issues and take action to influence the Iranian government,” says Azer.
To this end, ISPHR is hosting an information and action evening on Saturday October 4, 2008 from 7pm – 10pm at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre [3161 Ontario Street, Vancouver, Canada]. The program will include up-to-date presentations on the conditions of the prisoners, recommendations for taking action, and a dialogue on the broader geopolitical issues facing the Kurds in Iran.
The event is open to all who are interested. Light Kurdish food will be served at no charge. Please RSVP to sazer@shaw.ca by October 1st.
International Society for Peace and Human Rights
www.peaceandhumanrights.org
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
+1.604.676.6373
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