June 13, 2005

Free speech

Siamak Pourzand is a journalist and film critic. He is manager of the Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye Honari-ye Tehran, a cultural center for writers, artists, and intellectuals. Pourzand, is currently serving his 11-year term at Evin Prison in Tehran.

Pourzand is the husband of writer, human rights lawyer, and editor of the now-banned Zan literary review Mehrangiz Kar. Siamak Pourzand went missing on November 24, 2001; it was later learned that he was being held incommunicado by the Iranian intelligence.

PEN considers Siamak Pourzand to be detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release >>> Also see

Winner: Simin Habibian. Sad Afarin!

The person who wins the most number of daily quizes in a month will be awarded a book valued at up to $50 from Mage Publishers and their name will be enshrined in the Column of Champions! Second-place winner will receive the comic book "Rostam tales from the Shahnameh".

Answers to previous quiz questions >>> HERE
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