Press Release: Activists in Washington DC Join International Protests against Intensified Wave of Executions in Iran

As the Islamic Republic of Iran ramps up politically-motivated arrests, detentions and executions, activists in Washington DC join worldwide protests this weekend to call for an end to executions in Iran, to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners, and to urge the international community to impose human-rights-based diplomatic sanctions on the regime. More than 100 people have been executed in Iran in the month of January 2011 alone.

Washington, D.C. January 25, 2011 – As the Islamic Republic of Iran ramps up politically-motivated arrests, detentions and executions, activists in Washington DC and over 30 other cities worldwide are engaging in an international campaign to demand that the Islamic Republic immediately cease all executions and release all political prisoners immediately and without condition. At least 100 people have been executed in Iran in the month of January 2011 alone.

The intensified wave of killings and repression in Iran have ignited protests inside and outside of Iran as people around the world demand an effective response from governments and the United Nations in the form of diplomatic sanctions against the Islamic Republic regime. People in Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Iraq, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States will participate in this weekend’s protest actions.

Because the Islamic Republic is targeting members of women’s, student, and labor rights groups, as well as religious minorities and people suspected of homosexuality for arrest and imprisonment in an attempt to crush their organizational activities and intimidate the population, we particularly invite local women’s, student, labor, religious, and LGBT rights organizations to join the protests and stand in solidarity with their Iranian counterparts.

The protest in Washington DC will be held on Sunday, January 30 from noon to 3pm in front of the Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy, at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NE. For additional information about the worldwide protest action, please visit http://missionfreeiran.org.

Press release issued on behalf of the Washington DC Organizing Committee to Support Political Prisoners and End Execution in Iran, supported by Action for Democracy & Human Rights in The Middle East and Mission Free Iran.

Contact:
Maria Rohaly
maria.rohaly@gmail.com
(240) 812-9234
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