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Athens is Frontlines
12-Oct-2010
Towering over a triad of green, white and red tents, the Akademia of Athens looms large in the distance. Founded in 347 BCE, the initial sacred grounds of Platonic Academy were once dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The great Aristotle roamed its precincts in the grove of olive trees as he pondered Plato’s lecture “On the Good.”
Today, come rain or shine, the modern Akademia is the Persian battleground, housing the Campaign of seemingly destitute refugees in its bosom. The Persian battle cry reverberates across the Aegean Sea to awaken the Greek conscience once more, to question the foundation of their democracy, and to highlight the refugees’ human rights worldwide.
As autumn creeps in, rain lashes against the red canvas, soaking Neda’s picture. The poster depicting Sakina’s stoning verdict hasn’t been spared either. One by one, water seeps into the colored placards and distorts the images of Iranians imprisoned, tortured, and hanged by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The children of asylum seekers dash in the rain to seek refuge under the tents. Tomorrow, another family dresses up in their best Sunday school attire to head to the Greek Ministry of Interior. One more interview is scheduled to determine the destiny of an Iranian family in exile.
However, the next day brings no resolution to the plight of the asylum seekers. The interview to determine the eligibility of the applicants for political asylum is postponed until the following week. Time and again, every Tuesday, the same family is summoned to the Ministry of Interior for a chance to appear in front of the interviewing committee. Every Tuesday, they are turned away without an explanation. “The father’s file is misplaced,” a Greek official annoyed by the persistence of the translator grumbles under her breath. Another employee barks, “One of the interviewers couldn’t make it. Come back next week.”
Consequently, as a direct result of such delays and non responsiveness to the peaceful requests of the asylum seekers, the Central Committee representing the Campaign is forced to take drastic actions. On Monday, October 11, 2010, the asylum seekers together with their Greek attorney working pro bono will deliver a letter to the Greek officials demanding immediate review of thirty pending cases. If no action is taken within three days, the asylum seekers will go on hunger strike and sew their lips. Tents will be erected on the site of the Campaign to house those participating. “The time is up for the Greek government,” says Ribwar Ghobadi pounding his fist on the table. “The Campaign’s headquarters is here! If the Greek officials want to talk, they must come to us!”
For thirty one years since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, patriots in exile have asked a simple question from themselves and each other: “How can we fight IRI while living outside Iran?” From Los Angeles to New York, from North America to Europe, from Middle East to Australia, this blasted question has consumed brilliant minds while generating superficial answers devoid of substance.
Some Iranian patriots in exile are biding their time till military attacks are carried out against their homeland. Others have become poets, writers, and bloggers to either vent their frustrations or exercise freedom of speech and tolerance of opposing views. Nearly all of them have preserved Persian customs and traditions and have taught their offspring Iranian patriotism. Think-tanks have been formed, campaigns have been launched, and demonstrations have been organized. Although the seasoned patriots now buried in foreign soil have passed on the torch to the younger generations, for thirty one years, the same question remains unanswered.
In Athens, beneath the green rooftop, sit three Iranian college students who have escaped our homeland only one week ago. Around the same table under the asylum seekers’ tent, supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi are greeted by a veteran Kurd. A hot steaming cup of tea brewed Iranian style is placed in front of each guest. The Kurdish pishmarg of Democratic Party takes the seat next to the leftist Komala member while leaning to whisper an Iranian T'aarof in the ears of a newly arrived Pahlavi loyalist.
The college students are from the University of Shiraz and have stopped by the site of the refugees’ Campaign to seek advice. “We are just passing through,” they explain. “How do we get to Germany?”
And with this laden plea, there lies on the table the answer to the question asked for thirty one years: To fight Islamic Republic of Iran while living abroad, Iranian political activists must identify the frontlines in the war against the regime and join the on-going battle without delay.
Due to its close geographic proximity to Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon, Greece has become the Islamic Republic’s best ally in the European Union. In an attempt to export Islamic revolutionary frame of mind and to influence foreign and domestic policies abroad, the Islamic Republic of Iran has established deep roots on Greek soil and befriended Greek officials, politicians and police forces. The Islamic Republic’s embassy in Greece is run by a substantial number of employees estimated to be two hundred fifty members while spies and informants are recruited from the hefty population of hungry refugees in Athens.
Naturally, the geographical location of Greece has also drawn political activists escaping Iran through shared borders with Turkey to the Greek soil. In other words, by sheer luck, this ancient democracy has turned into the corridor through which Iranians seek refuge in the rest of Europe and possibly even North America.
Once they arrive in Greece, Iranian political refugees are finger printed and given a “Red Card” granting them no legal or human rights in Greece. As long as their applications are pending, asylum seekers are virtual prisoners on Greek soil. The European partner states deferring to the Conventions of Schengen and Dublin hold Greece responsible for the processing of asylum applications filed in the member states and deport the refugees back to Greece. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran rejoices at the plight of the political activists now neutralized in a state of limbo in Greece and entangled in the never ending web of bureaucracy and red tape.
Today, Athens is the frontlines in the war fought in exile against the Islamic Republic of Iran. But where are you?
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هدف شاهرگ جمهوری اسلامی است
LalehGillaniThu Oct 21, 2010 01:47 PM PDT
نبرد ما سیاسی است و هدف قطع شاهرگ آدمکشان جمهوری اسلامی میباشد. از کمپین پناهجویان سیاسی ایران در یونان حمایت نمایید.
ودیو تازه از آتن
LalehGillaniThu Oct 21, 2010 09:22 AM PDT
دانشجویان یونانی بار دیگر در مقابل آکادمی آتن به خیمه پناهجویان سیاسی ایرانی پیوسته و حمایت خود را از حقوق بشر آنان اعلام نمودند.
فریاد لبان دوخته باشید! به داد پناهجویان برسید!
یا دهان همه مار ا دوخته اند و یا ګوشهای آنان کر شده است
Amir Sahameddin GhiassiWed Oct 20, 2010 09:05 PM PDT
آیا حقوق بشر تنها برای دیګران است و برای ما نیست؟ آیا دهان همه مارا دوخته اند؟ آیا کسی ګوش شنوانا ندارد این بچه ها که ثروت و مکنت نمی خواهند آڼان کار زندګی آزاد حق تحصیل حق زندګی میخواهند چرا مدافعانن حقوق بشر خاموش شده اند؟ آیا ګوشهای فلک کر شده است که اینهمه فریاد را نمی شنوند آیا دادن حق زندګی و حق کار و تحصیل در حقوق بشر جرم است؟ ګړیا دهان همه مارا هم دوخته اند و کسی آوای ما را نمی شنود مدرسه و مزرعه من احتیاج به این فرزندان ایران دارد ولی به آنان براحتی ویزا نمی دهند چرا؟ آیا با آمدن چند نفر به آمریکا این کشور هم شلوغ خواهد شد؟
دعوت به تظاهرات در آمریکا و آلمان
LalehGillaniWed Oct 20, 2010 08:56 PM PDT
از تمامی مدافعان حقوق بشر و فعالین سیاسی مقیم مونیخ، واشنگتن دی سی و سانفرانسیسکو دعوت به تظاهرات مسالمت آمیز در مقابل سفارتخانه های یونان در روز یک شنبه ۳۱ اکتبر میشود. دوستانی که میتوانند به ما بپیوندند، از طریق حساب فیس بوکم با من تماس بگیرید.
فریاد برخاسته از لبان دوخته خواهیم بود!
مریم نایب یزدی
کلاه مخملیWed Oct 20, 2010 04:49 PM PDT
برو تو لیست بلاگا صفحه اول - مریم کارای مثل تو می کنه - ببین میتونین باهم هم کاری کنین ... ! :)
Support from Greek Journalists & Political Activists
by LalehGillani on Tue Oct 19, 2010 04:23 PM PDTGreek journalists and political activists in support of Iranian asylum seekers gathered in front of the Akademia of Athens and condemned the policies of Greek government.
Iranian political refugee, Smko Mohammadi, addressed the crowd in the Greek language, expressed the goals of the Campaign and stressed the determination of the asylum seekers to stand for their human rights.
نیما غریب لبانش را دوخت
LalehGillaniTue Oct 19, 2010 04:08 PM PDT
نیما غریب، شاعر ایرانی مقیم آتن، به همراه برادرش آرش به دلیل اینکه دولت یونان به اعتصاب کنندگان ایرانی هیچ عکس العمل و جوابی نداده امروز بعداز ظهر به جمع اعتصاب کنندگان پیوستند. نیما لب های خود را دوخته و برادرش آرش به علت بیماری فقط اعتصاب غذا کرده است .
Haji Firooz #2, your filthy words, are just one indication of
by Hoshang Targol on Tue Oct 19, 2010 06:54 AM PDTyour dark, demented mind.
You remind me of those amature SAVAK agents: they kept repeating the same lies over and over so much they began to really believe them.
Of course your just a jr. SAVAMA agent, or acting like one, not a whole lot of difference. If you didn't have such strong Intelligence Ministry "credentials" you might have realized why people have been escaping theocratic hell in Iran, for the past 31 years.
But not to worry, this hell you and you mullah buddies have created in Iran is going to blow up in your face so sudden, and so bad you won't know what hit you.
And, do stop sucking those mullah toes.
Houshang Sargoh
by norooz on Mon Oct 18, 2010 05:35 PM PDTI told the truth to Laleh and I wished her well in helping the refugees. The problem is that they encourage people to take a foolish path and then they start whining. What kind of hunger strike is this that you go to doctor. Don't tell me a Gillani hunger strike.
It reminds me of a man who was laying on a railroad track to commit suicide and he had a loaf of bread on his side so that he doesn't die from hunger.
Aberiiyeh har che Iranieh bordand. Specially, Dariush and Kourosh.
Houshang, where is RP ?
"norooz," haji firoz #2
by Hoshang Targol on Mon Oct 18, 2010 04:49 PM PDTI have helped more Iranian refugges, and their families, that you could probably do in 10 life times. Don't lecture me about how to help them, we've been doing this since you were in high school.
What you should pay attention to is why instead of materialy and spiritualy supporting our struggling sisters and brothers, you only care to bad mouth comrade Laleh, and the oppressed.
The reason is very simple, you're just one more lacky of mullhas.
دوشیزه لاله
کلاه مخملیMon Oct 18, 2010 04:08 PM PDT
نمی خوام تو ذوقت بزنم، ولی واقعا این یونانیا آدم نیستن - اگر این بچه ها تو انگلیس، فرانسه، یا آلمان بودن، خوب یه چیزی ... این یونانیا خُداییش از گاو بدترن - السلام والسلام ... ! :)
همکاری آدمکشان جمهوری اسلامی با پلیس یونان
LalehGillaniMon Oct 18, 2010 11:40 AM PDT
همزمان با نشستی دو روزه میان نمایندگان سفارت جمهوری اسلامی و پلیس یونان در 13 و 14 اکتبر 2010، فشار نیروهای انتظامی یونان بر پناهجویان افزایش یافته و تروریستهای حکومت اسلامی جان پناهجویان را تهدید نموده اند.
روز دوشنبه 18 اکتبر در حالی که خبرنگاران یونانی در کمپین پناهجویان حضور داشته و با آنان مصاحبه میکردند، حال یکی از پناهجویان که در اعتصاب غذا میباشد و دهانش را دوخته است وخیم شد. آمبولانس خصوصی که پناهجویان با زحمت زیاد ناچاراً اجاره کرده بودند، تحت فشار دولت یونان دیگر در اختیار آنان نمیباشد.
هموطن، جان پناهجویان سیاسی ایرانی در یونان در خطر است. به داد هموطنان آواره برسید!
To all non-Iranina, arrogant, ignorant apologists of IR: norooz,
by Hoshang Targol on Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:18 AM PDThaji Firooz,...
Norooz: If you had been an Iranian, or had ever in your life been in that country, you might have noticed that Gilan is not the name of a city, (looks like you have to take that geography class in Lebanon, again!)
Haji Firroz A-hole #1 @ IC: the only mal-content here, is a fake, poser, non-Iranian, closet-Nazi, abusing Iranian hospitality and patience. Get a life you pathetic clown.
Down with Islamic Republic.
Stop all executions in Iran.
Free all political prisoners in Iran.
Laleh
by norooz on Sun Oct 17, 2010 07:57 PM PDTYou replied, It shouldn't’t come as a surprise to you that one feeds the other: The love for Iran and Iranians and the hate for IRI...
Very poetic, not realistic. The love for Iran and Iranians? You mean by your sanctions and civil war? I am not surprised at all, I am very familiar with your hateful writings.
However, I wish you luck with this refugee issue. I noticed they seem to be from your town Gillan. Or maybe your family members and that is what got you so active on this one.
The Love & Hate
by LalehGillani on Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:17 AM PDTNorooz wrote: “Didn't I say it is out of hate for IRI and not love for people!!!”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that one feeds the other: The love for Iran and Iranians and the hate for IRI...
Laleh
by norooz on Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:37 AM PDTDid you said International law ???
That is the same law sanctioning Iranians and starving them to death. The sanctions that some including you support.
And help from the oppositions who believe in this kind of fight??? Don't count on them !!! They are all talk.
I wonder where are RP and Farah Crocodile ???
I hope this is opening your eyes.
Oh wow, Laleh, I missed your last comment. You are back to business as usual, washing the streets with blood and etc. I guess some people never change. Didn't I say it is out of hate for IRI and not love for people!!!
Jobs Reserved for Arab Akhonds
by LalehGillani on Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:22 AM PDTSargord Pirouz wrote: “About the last thing I think I'd do is protest in front of a Greek embassy over these spoiled malcontents. Tell 'em to try Iraq. I hear Karbala needs Farsi speaking tour guides and merchant helpers."
These jobs are reserved for Akhonds, their offspring, and cronies. We will wash the streets of Tehran with their blood and send the rest to Karbala to attend to their Imam.
I also had a conversation with two greek colleagues at work
by Roozbeh_Gilani on Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:15 AM PDTAbout this very worthy blog on friday.
They both took a look at the blog and were absolutely outraged. They both wrote emails to Greek embassy protesting the treatment of Iranian refugees in Greece.
I can not help but note the contrast between the humility of these greek nationals versus the cowardism, hate for Iran and iranians and humanity displayed by some comentators on this site, a shining example is below by a "sargord pirooz".
"Personal business must yield to collective interest."
I had a conversation with a
by Sargord Pirouz on Sun Oct 17, 2010 09:57 AM PDTI had a conversation with a pleasant Greek woman in line at the store the other day. I remarked how are our two peoples were once next-door neighbors. We laughed.
About the last thing I think I'd do is protest in front of a Greek embassy over these spoiled malcontents.
Tell 'em to try Iraq. I hear Karbala needs Farsi speaking tour guides and merchant helpers.
Dear Laleh
by Amir Sahameddin Ghiassi on Sun Oct 17, 2010 09:54 AM PDTI know in USA everything is very slow. But to start the process, I need enough information about them. A friend said, I need picture, date and place of birth, education, references from the school they were studying. Their statue and other ID. I must also prove that I cannot find Americans for their position. It is a lot of paperwork. But I need them, too. So if they start to send me their information; I can also start the process. I paid about six years ago for the citizenship of my daughter and she does not get now. But what can we do, from all sides, we are in pressure. I opened this boarding school to help the people and that was my goal and target. If we are united ,we will win and if not we all will lose. sghiassi_fhc@hotmail.com 10420 Lehman Road, Orlando, Fl 32825
4072819704
Iranian Dot Comers in USA & Canada:
by LalehGillani on Sun Oct 17, 2010 09:52 AM PDTPlease show your support for Iranian political refugees by protesting in front of Greek embassies, by sending email messages to all Greek embassies in the United States and Canada, and by sending faxes to the Greek Ministry of Interior and UNCHCR. . A sample letter follows, and email addresses and fax numbers are provided below:
Washington DC: greece@greekembassy.org
Boston: boston@greekembassy.org
Los Angeles: lagr@greekembassy.org
New York: nycons@greekembassy.org
Chicago: chicago@greekembassy.org
tampa: grgencon.tam@mfa.gr
Atlanta: atlanta@greekembassy.org
Houston: houston@greekembassy.org
Ottowa: embassy@greekembassy.ca
Montreal: info@grconsulatemtl.net
Toronto: toronto.consulate@greekembassy.ca
Vancouver: info@vancouver.grconsulate.ca
Fax the Ministry of Interior
00 30 210 699 0827
Fax UNCHCR
00 30 210 672 6417
Iranian political refugees in Greece have staged a peaceful strike in front of the University of Athens since September 1, 2010. They have a simple request from the Greek government to process their applications for political asylum and to give them an answer as soon as possible.
I am sending you this letter in support of Iranian political refugees and their demands. The Greek government's treatment of Iranian asylum seekers is appalling and devoid of basic human decency.
In the last two days, the Greek government has refused to provide ambulances to transport sick political refugees to hospitals, Greek fascists have attacked the refugees, and the Greek police during a confrontation in front of the Akademia has beaten an Iranian refugee with sewn lips.
Iranian political refugees have escaped persecution and tyranny in hopes of finding freedom and democracy in foreign lands. In Greece, their human rights have been repeatedly violated by the Greek officials and police forces. I strongly condemn the policies of the Greek government and plead with you to put an end to the suffering of Iranian political refugees.
ایران شما یک مشت خاک نیست! ایران شما این بچه هاست!
LalehGillaniSun Oct 17, 2010 09:28 AM PDT
کمپین پناهجویان سیاسی ایرانی در یونان خطاب به ایرانیان که در آمریکا زندگی میکنند: ایران شما اینجاست! ایران شما یک مشت خاک نیست! ایران شما این بچه ها ست!
Mr. Sahameddin Ghiassi
by LalehGillani on Sun Oct 17, 2010 09:21 AM PDTA list containing 44 names are posted on my facebook wall, and a link has been provided.
Please start the legal process and retain an attorney. Please note that the process you are about to start takes months or even years. Although it is a way to help the asylum seekers in the long run, it will not have any effect on their situation immediately.
Dear Laleh
by Amir Sahameddin Ghiassi on Sun Oct 17, 2010 05:47 AM PDTPlease, send their information by email or mail to me, so I can try to do something. As I said I need them, I have a lot of rooms and a lot work here. I do not get Americans for the work, they do not have qualifications. I can prove that. That is a way if you cannot get American for your work , you can have other people.
I need their names and information about them
by Amir Sahameddin Ghiassi on Sun Oct 17, 2010 05:42 AM PDTDear Laleh
I need information of them, so I can write a letter and ask for help. I will also contact the senators here and ask for guidence. I need their education informaton also. Sahameddin Ghiassi
The Greek Government is Responsible
by LalehGillani on Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:34 PM PDTNoorooz asked: "Who is doing that to you? You yourself."
Iranian political asylum seekers have been waiting for years for their applications to be processed in Greece. They have a simple request from the Greek government: Process our applications. Even if their applications are rejected, they simply want an answer from the Greek government.
The refugees have peacefully exhausted all legal avenues to negotiate a resolution to the current situation. They aren't forcing the Greek government to accept them as asylum seekers. They will gladly leave Greece once their applications are processed.
By international laws, the Greek government is responsible for whatever happens to Iranian political asylum seekers while they live on Greek soil.
ببینید با ما چه میکنند
noroozSat Oct 16, 2010 08:57 PM PDT
Who is doing that to you? You yourself.
This was a dumb idea. If
by AmirKabir on Sat Oct 16, 2010 09:43 AM PDTThis was a dumb idea. If you don't want to eat, don't eat! what is with sewing? Besides, what good torturing yourself and hunger strikes will do? Isn't that what you say you are running from? Now. You are doing the job for them by doing it to yourself. That is why I said, people should act wisely.
Living with lesser freedom and working patiently for change is a mush better option than this.
Where are the international human rights organizations? Where is west and their so called human rights? This is a proof that they are nothing but lying pigs using humans and words for profits and self interest.
ببینید با ما چه میکنند
LalehGillaniSat Oct 16, 2010 08:38 PM PDT
On Friday, Mondana Daneshnia was transported to the hospital by taxi, Greek fascists paid a visit to the site of the Campaign, and the Greek police during a confrontation in front of the Akademia beat an Iranian refugee with sewn lips.
This video shows Mondana in the hospital and her determination to fight to the end:
این تُرکا عجب اُلاغن ... !
کلاه مخملیFri Oct 15, 2010 04:30 PM PDT
گور بابا یونانیا - من از این کار تُرکا کَله ام ... !