Response to Letters Asking For Help For Sakineh, Mostafaei & Iran

As part of it's work supporting the campaigns to save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani from her sentence of death by stoning in Iran, The AIM and several of it's members have emailed and posted a number of letters and petitions to a large number of government officials, human rights organisations and media outlets. A few days ago, The AIM received a response to one of the emails sent which you can read below. I have also received a response to a letter I sent to Downing Street which was then passed to The UK Foreign Commonwealth Office asking for pressure to be applied for Iran to be removed from The UN Commission on the Status of Women. The letter text and responses are available to read here. These letters and emails were based on samples provided by our comrades at Mission Free Iran.

Original Email to EU Governments:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you with an urgent request that you intervene with the authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, who continue to harass, intimidate and persecute Mohammad Mostafaei, and have issued a warrant for his arrest, in the wake of the international outcry demanding freedom for his client, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. The regime has also taken as hostages Mostafaei's wife and brother-in-law (Fereshteh and Farhad Halimi), imprisoning them in a craven attempt to force Mostafaei to turn himself in.

Mohammad Mostafaei is a lawyer who has honorably and courageously defended Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani against a stoning execution in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The worldwide outcry against the execution of Sakineh Ashtiani has created embarrassment and political difficulties for the Islamic Republic, and they have harassed and attempted to intimidate Mr. Mostafaei in an effort to reduce the pressure on the regime that has been caused by the campaign for Mostafaei's client Ashtiani.

I condemn the reprehensible injustice of the Islamic Republic; the regime should not be allowed a free hand to silence Mostafaei and terrorize his family in this way. Iranian lawyers must be free to represent their clients without fear of harassment and intimidation of themselves or their loved ones. I therefore demand immediate and unconditional freedom of Mostafaei's family; immediate and unconditional guarantee for Mostafaei's safety and freedom of practicing his legal obligations towards his clients; immediate end to harassment and intimidation of Mostafaei, his family, friends, and colleagues; and immediate and unconditional freedom for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is solely responsible for the safety and freedom of Mr. Mostafaei.

Diplomatic sanctions, including travel bans, freezing of bank accounts, and expulsion from international organizations such as the UN must be used to force the Islamic Republic to comply with international law and standards of human rights. I expect this government to take immediate steps to implement serious diplomatic sanctions against the criminal regime of the Islamic Republic.

Sincerely,

The Anti-Injustice Movement

www.antiinjusticemovement.com

Response to Email from Finland:

Dear people of The Anti-Injustice Movement,

Finland, as a part of the European Union, is following closely the developments of the human rights situation in Iran. We are aware of Ms. Ashtiani’s case and are keeping watch on her situation.

Iran is a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This Covenant includes e. g. right to a just and fair trial, which is also contained in the Constitution of Iran. The Covenant also prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, has recently voiced EU’s profound concern on Iran's increasing use of the death penalty and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities and women.

The EU has repeatedly demanded Iran to comply with its international and national human rights obligations. Finland and other EU countries have summoned the Ambassadors of Iran several times in regard to the human rights situation in Iran. We also continue to support efforts to improve the human rights situation in Iran.

Sincerely,

Jussi Soini

Regional Manager

Unit for the Middle East and North Africa

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

jussi.soini@formin.fi

Global Day Of Protests Against Mass Executions In Iran

The AIM will be protesting in Glasgow on 5th August in support of Mission Free Iran. Please attend a protest in your area, or organise one yourself. This can be as small and simple as meeting a friend and holding a sign. Remember to take pictures to share with the world your stand against executions in Iran and worldwide. For more information, and for campaign materials (coming soon) please visit the MFI blog.

Anyone not able to attend a protest can still show their support of the campaign by recording and posting a 30 second video clip or even taking a photograph of yourself holding campaign materials. If you plan to hold an event near you please get in touch with The AIM or Mission Free Iran so the details can be published.

International Day Against Stoning

The Stoning Of Soroya M., 2008 - Based on a true story.

This Sunday, 11th July is International Day Against Stoning.

In such 'advanced' times as those in which we are supposedly living, such a thing still needs to exist? There is still a movement trying to end stoning as a form of capital punishment? Such practises STILL occur?

Yes. They do. I have known for a long time that this is the case but I still can't quite believe it. Of course that is a luxury that many women do not have - not believing it to be the case.

This Sunday, 11th July is International Day Against Stoning.

I have to keep saying it to remind myself that this is actually real, in this day and age of so-called civilisation.

Stoning as a form of punishment and execution will be familiar to most of us from the stories and tales within the three main holy books. The majority of nations and religions have evolved and moved past using this although the death penalty does still exist in other forms. Within the last decade a number of Muslim countries have handed down and carried out sentences of stoning as part of Islamic Sharia Law. In Iran 3 people were stoned to death in 2006/07 and 9 women and 2 men have been sentenced to death by stoning since January 2008. In Somalia in October 2008 Aisho Ibrahim Dhuhulow was buried up to her neck and stoned to death in front or over 1000 people at a football stadium having earlier pled guilty to adultery. It was later found that she was 13 years old. Stoning is also known to be used as a method of execution both with and without trial in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nigeria and United Arab Emirates. When stoning a person 'the stones used must be large enough to cause the condemned pain, but not sufficient to kill immediately.' For more information about the ins and outs of Sharia Law and the punishments prescribed under it please have a look through this very disturbing English translation of The Islamic Penal Code of Iran.

This Sunday, 11th July is International Day Against Stoning.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is a 43 year old Iranian mother of two. She was sentenced to death by stoning for the 'crime' of adultery. International governments, campaigners and activists have fought against this sentence and the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced that she will no longer be stoned for her crime. This is not a victory however as she will now likely be hanged instead. The AIM is one of the many organisations that has petitioned against the sentence, and we will continue to do so. We will continue in the struggle against this barbaric and cruel practice until the battle is won.

This Sunday, 11th July is International Day Against Stoning.

To mark this day, please join us in some kind of protest or act of solidarity. Below I have listed details of a number of planned protests but list is not comprehensive so please look up details in your area. If there is nothing planned in your area it is not too late to plan one. Instead of a rally or protest you may wish to perform your own act of solidarity. Be creative and do whatever feels right to you based on the circumstances you are in but be sure to share your act of solidarity with the world. Take pictures or film it and please send it to us to share on our site, or to our friends and fellow activists at Mission Free Iran. Some examples of things you might do are to recite a poem or perform a song to the camera, publish a piece of writing on the subject, lay a stone somewhere with a message of support, have friends, family and passers by write messages of support and lay them held down with stones. Write the names of recent victims of stoning and those currently facing death by stoning on stones and lay them in solidarity. Go to a public place and hold up a sign or picture. Hand out leaflets or petitions.

Whatever you do, please do something. I am against the death penalty in all cases and carried out in any way, but I find the act of stoning a person to death to be particularly cruel, and it is made even more so by it's method of application. It is often applied without fair trial, sometimes even without a trial at all, and is commonly used for such 'crimes' as adultery, homosexuality and political dissent.

This Sunday, 11th July is International Day Against Stoning. Please, do something.

Planned events:

LONDON, England: Friday July 9, 5pm-8pm outside the Islamic Republic Embassy, 16 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1PT. Organized by Iran Solidarity UK.

MALMO, Sweden: Friday July 9, 4:30pm at Davidshalls Bro. Organised by IS, International Federation of Iranian Refugees, and Committee for the Defence of Women’s Rights in Iran. Contact: Hasan Salehi +46 703171102 or Farideh Arman +46 703638088.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Friday July 9, 4:30pm at Sergelstorg. Organized by Iran Solidarity Sweden.

LONDON, England: Saturday July 10, 2pm Trafalgar Square: Caravan through London against stoning in Iran. We will be meeting at 2pm on Trafalgar Square to do a stone-in act and then move towards other points in London staging more stone-in acts to raise awareness of Sakine’s sentence. Contact: iransolidarityuk@gmail.com or call 07507978745.

BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA, United States: Sunday July 11, 12pm-3pm on the north side of Santa Monica Blvd and Beverly Drive on the side with the grass and park. Contact: Ann Marie Lynch, cell: 631-974-8480, amhoney22@yahoo.com.

SYDNEY, Australia: CAN NO LONGER CONFIRM

WASHINGTON DC, United States: Sunday July 11, 12pm-1:30pm outside Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW) to protest against stoning and execution and in remembrance of 18 Tir. We will then move to the Lincoln Memorial for a 2pm protest against ideas propagated by Hizb ut-Tahrir America, the American branch of a multinational organization that promotes the practice of stoning generally and promotes the practice of stoning specifically as a solution to the global AIDS epidemic. (blog post | Facebook event). Organized by WPI, REAL Courage and Mission Free Iran.

STOP the STONING of Sakine Mohammadi! UPDATE

Via Stop the Stoning Of Sakine Mohammadi:

Confirmed PROTESTS this weekend -

LONDON, England: Friday July 2, 18:00-21:00 outside the Islamic Republic Embassy, 16 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1PT, تلفن اطلاعات: 07515732665

KÖLN (Cologne), Germany: Sunday July 4, Mourning Mothers will gather at the Church Door in the City Center at 11am to protest the threatened executions of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani and Zeinab Jalalian.

TORONTO, Canada: Sunday July 4, Community Fair at the Toronto Pride Week festivities; activities will consist of handing out flyers and talking to the community about stopping the stoning of Sakine. (more details forthcoming)

WASHINGTON DC, United States: Friday July 2, 6:00pm outside the Islamic Republic Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW. Walk to DuPont Circle to read demands and share information with the community about Sakine Mohammadi, Zeinab Jalalian, and removing the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women
*****************************************
You too can set up an event on Friday in your town. 
Contact:

+491775692413

http://stopstonningnow.com/sakine 
http://missionfreeiran.wordpress.com/
http://iransolidarity.org.uk/

Take Action To Stop The Stoning Of Sakine Mohammadi

Via Mission Free Iran

Friends: URGENT ACTION is required on behalf of Sakine Mohammadi.

This post includes the following:

1) The appeal from her children in English

2) Sample letters to send to
– the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights copied to Amnesty International
– the International Committee of the Red Cross

Two things to do:

1) Please send the sample letters adjusted per your preferences to the targeted recipients

2) Please send the children’s letter to your local newspaper with an explanation of why we need to support these children and take a stand against execution in Iran.

LETTER FROM THE CHILDREN OF SAKINE MOHAMMADI:

Do not allow our nightmare become a reality, Protest against our mother’s stoning!

Today we stretch out our hands to the people of the whole world. It is now five years that we have lived in fear and in horror, deprived of motherly love. Is the world so cruel that it can watch this catastrophe and do nothing about it?

We are Sakine Mohammadi e Ashtiani’s children, Fasride and Sajjad Mohamamadi e Ashtiani. Since our childhood we have been acquainted with the pain of knowing that our mother is imprisoned and awaiting a catastrophe. To tell the truth, the term “stoning” is so horrific that we try never to use it. We instead say our mother is in danger, she might be killed, and she deserves everyone’s help.

Today, when nearly all options have reached dead-ends, and our mother’s lawyer says that she is in a dangerous situation, we resort to you. We resort to the people of the world, no matter who you are and where in the world you live. We resort to you, people of Iran, all of you who have experienced the pain and anguish of the horror of losing a loved one.

Please help our mother return home!

We especially stretch our hand out to the Iranians living abroad. Help to prevent this nightmare from becoming reality. Save our mother. We are unable to explain the anguish of every moment, every second of our lives. Words are unable to articulate our fear…

Help to save our mother. Write to and ask officials to free her. Tell them that she doesn’t have a civil complainant and has not done any wrong. Our mother should not be killed. Is there any one hearing this and rushing to our assistance?

Faride and Sajjad Mohammadi e Ashtiani

Disseminated by the Committee Against Stoning
Mina Ahadi
+49 177 569 2413

————–

SAMPLE LETTER TO NAVI PILLAY, UN High Commissioner for the Office of Human Rights:

Send to: npillay@ohchr.org, urgent-action@ohchr.org, Iran_team@amnesty.org

Dear Ms. Pillay,

I am writing to you with an urgent demand that you intervene with the authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, who are preparing to execute by stoning Sakine Mohammadi e Ashtiani. Stoning is a barbaric form of torture and execution that should be outlawed worldwide. It is your responsibility to step in and demand a halt to these proceedings.

The children of Ms. Mohammadi e Ashtiana have written a letter in her defense, and have issued a call to the world asking for help. Their letter is here; I suggest you read it, and then act according to their heartrending demands.

http://missionfreeiran.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/sakine-children-2

Sincerely,

[your name]

* * * * *

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS:

Send to: Florian Westphal and Dorothea Krimitsas

Dear Ms. Westphal and Ms. Krimitsas,

I am writing to you with an urgent request that you intervene with the authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, who are preparing to execute by stoning Sakine Mohammadi e Ashtiani. Stoning is a barbaric form of torture and execution that should be outlawed worldwide. Multilateral organizations have thus far refused to step in and put a halt to the criminal actions perpetrated by the Islamic Republic. Your mandate encourages your organization to undertake the work of visiting prisoners in situations of internal violence, where the Geneva Conventions do not apply. I ask you to step in and demand a halt to these and other ongoing criminal and barbaric proceedings in the Islamic Republic

The children of Ms. Mohammadi e Ashtiana have written a letter in her defense, and have issued a call to the world asking for help. Their letter is here; please read it, and then act according to their heartrending demands.

http://missionfreeiran.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/sakine-children-2

Sincerely,

[your name]

US House Resolution 1371 - UNCSW

As you all know we at The AIM have been supporting a campaign started by Mission Free Iran (MFI) which aims to have Iran removed from their recent appointment to The UN Commission On The Status Of Women (UNCSW). We have received a few different messages with updates on the campaign so please read on to find out the latest.

MFI came across this article which reports on US House Resolution 1371 - a bill that is asking the US government EXACTLY what the campaign has demanded!

The campaign has demanded that the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the selection of the Government of Iran to serve on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women;

(2) calls on the Administration to denounce the selection of the Government of Iran to serve on the Commission;

(3) urges the President to direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United Nations to advocate for the removal of the Government of Iran from the Commission; and

(4) reaffirms its solidarity with the Iranian people in their continuing struggle for freedom and human rights, including equal rights for women in Iran.

US citizens: Please contact your Representative in Congress and voice your support for House Resolution 1371! For more information on how you might do this most effectively please visit the post by MFI.

Message from Maria Rohaly of MFI:

Dear Friends at We Declare the UN Commission on the Status of Women is Illegitimate:

House Resolution 1371 echoes almost exactly the objectives of the Mission Free Iran campaign that this group has been centered on. Those objectives are much stronger and far-reaching than any other set of demands that circulated in the wake of the UNCSW selection. Our demands, through one pathway or another, have been heard: a handful of US Congresspeople have stepped up to the plate to oppose the Administration and voice our demands.

Please note the following:

1. The US Administration made its position on the Islamic Republic very clear when it deliberately allowed the Islamic Republic to attain a seat on the UNCSW without raising a single objection: freedom and true human rights in Iran are not the US Administration's priority.

2. The US Administration is focused exclusively on the nuclear issue vis-a-vis Iran. This can be empirically observed by comparing the number of mass media articles on nuclear issues with the number of articles covering the revolutionary (not the reformist) movement in Iran.

3. Given points 1 & 2, it may be deduced that the Congresspeople who have proposed House Resolution 1371 have taken an explicit position against the current US Administration and its policies vis-a-vis Iran.

4. The point is that these Congresspeople have gone against the US Administration in order to reflect our demands. It doesn't matter what their motives are: they could be zealous feminists or they could be fascists. This bill reflects what we have asked for, which is a fundamental demand for the respect of women and women's equality in Iran and worldwide at the same time that it contributes to the diplomatic isolation and delegitimization of the Islamic Republic.

5. This bill will reflect OUR DEMANDS internationally if it is passed. And the next step will be for us to force the same action out of the governments of Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, and every other government that stood against women by allowing the uncontested ascension of the Islamic Republic to the UNCSW.

This is a political battle front.

We may go out on one day and shake our "boobs" to ridicule a regime which considers a woman's body a threat to the society, while the very next day we sit and negotiate with the UN commissioners in their fine offices.

This battle has many fronts but remember one thing! The pressure is mounting on the international institutions, governments, and the media. We need to realize that we represent a gigantic force. This force is the Iranian revolution, AND it is a revolutionary movement all around the globe, with a distinguished objective: total gender equality, not on paper, not only legally, but in reality. This movement has started and is gaining momentum, and we represent this gigantic force, even if we do not realize it yet...

Look around you and follow the events taking place every day, and you will see the clear indicators. How could any one explain that only 2 months ago the US administration handed over a seat to the Anti-Woman Regime in Iran and now is trying to guard itself against the mounting pressure and embarrassment that it has caused and that should even intensify? If we work on this, even the political scandal due to this "wrong policy" will force this and other governments to correct their "wrong decisions."

This existence of this pressure is, and will continue to be, thanks to you and to us, and thanks to Iranian women's revolutionary demand for equality and the support of half of the worlds population. We, if united and organized, can do much more and we at MFI have news for you. We will take our campaign to a new level. We need you, all of you and many more. Please join us there.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=258388322697&ref=ts

My best regards to you all,
Maria Rohaly
Mission Free Iran
June 17, 2010

Please take any action you can to support this very important issue. The AIM have printed a stock of the MFI campaign materials and will be handing them out in London to be signed and then posted by The AIM in bulk. For details of campaign materials you can use please visit the campaign page on the MFI site.