Iranian refugee in coma - rights group
Ali Bordbar (Case I. 16264), a 54 year old Iranian refugee claimant
who has been in Pakistan since 1996, has been on hunger strike for the
past 48 days in protest to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees'
(UNHCR) outright indifference to his fate.
Bordbar was a navy officer who fled Iran after his life and liberty
were endangered when he helped several political opponents escape Iran.
Refugees in Pakistan who have contacted the International Federation
of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) state that Bordbar's identity card and appointment
letter were seized and that he was denied a re-determination interview
with the UNHCR.
As a result of his hunger strike, Bordbar is in a coma in front of the
UNHCR office in Islamabad. He is being taken care of by a group of Iranian
refugees.
Despite his life threatening situation, the UNHCR has made no attempt
to transport him to a hospital in order to save his life.
IFIR condemns the UNHCR's indifference towards Bordbar and holds that
organization responsible for his life.
IFIR calls on all individuals and organizations to support Bordbar's
right to protection and life and send protest faxes to the UNHCR in Pakistan
(fax: +92-5127-9455) and the UNHCR in Geneva (+41-22-739-7353) demanding
that the organization immediately:
· transport Ali Bordbar to a hospital · review his case
and grant him refugee status, and
· resettle him in a safe third country.
For more information, contact IFIR, GPO, PO Box 7051, New York, NY
10116. Tel: 212-747-1046. Fax: 212-425-7260. E-mail: chairngo@aol.com.
Website: www.hambastegi.org
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