MFI Press Release: Increased Arrests and Death Sentences in Iran Prompt International Outcry to Halt Executions and Political Imprisonment

Increased Arrests and Death Sentences in Iran Prompt Outcry to Halt Executions and Political Imprisonment

As the Islamic Republic of Iran increases its arrests, detentions and death-penalty prosecutions of political activists in the wake of December’s ongoing post-election unrest, activists outside of Iran collaborate across borders to demand an immediate halt to all executions and freedom for all political prisoners in Iran. The Islamic Republic’s recent acceleration in arrests and death sentences leveraged under the charge of “mohareb” (enemy of God) recalls the regime’s method of using rapid trials to justify immediate execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.

Washington, D.C. January 20, 2010 – As the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) increases its arrest, detention and death-penalty prosecution of political activists in the wake of December’s ongoing post-election unrest, protesters in the United States, Canada and Sweden collaborate across borders to demand that the Islamic Republic immediately cease all executions and free all political prisoners in Iran.

On January 24 2010, international activists in Washington DC, Toronto and Gotland will hold a coordinated campaign to call global attention to the Islamic Republic’s recent acceleration in arrests and death sentences leveraged under the charge of “mohareb” (enemy of God). The charge of mohareb combined with calls by the Islamic Republic to accelerate the execution of dissidents recalls the government’s method of using rapid trials to justify immediate execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.

Because the regime has been targeting members of women’s, student, and labor rights groups for arrest and imprisonment in an effort to crush their organizational activities and intimidate the population, the organizers of the January 24 protests invite mainstream women’s, student, and labor organizations outside of Iran to stand in solidarity with their Iranian counterparts.

The battle against political repression is global. Venezuelan students and Chinese dissidents have expressed their continuing interest in the outcome of the Iranian bid for democracy. Afghan women are emulating the bravery of Iranian women by leading protests in the streets, an action unheard of prior to the unrest in Iran where women stand on the front lines of resistance against the regime. The protests of January 24th demand freedom for political prisoners in Iran, and extend this demand throughout the world wherever citizens are denied their universal human rights.

The protests, coordinated by Mission Free Iran, will be held on Sunday January 24th 2010 in the following locations: Washington DC USA, 12pm assembly at Freedom Plaza with march to the Lincoln Memorial; Toronto Canada 2-5pm at Mel Lasman Square; and Gotland Sweden 2pm at Almedalen Park.

For additional information on the January 24 protests, contact Maria Rohaly or visit https://missionfreeiran.wordpress.com.

Contact:
Maria Rohaly
maria.rohaly@gmail.com
Mission Free Iran
https://missionfreeiran.wordpress.com
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