Iranian Political Asylum Seekers Launch Campaign for Freedom

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Iranian Political Asylum Seekers Launch Campaign for Freedom
by Maryam Nayeb Yazdi
28-Oct-2010
 


The Campaign of Iranian Political Refugees in Greece asks Iranians and supporters to stand in front of Greek embassies to show their solidarity with the hunger strikers.” To contact the Campaign, email: abtinid@yahoo.com


SIGN THE PETITION TO SUPPORT HUNGER STRIKERS IN GREECE IN GAINING ASYLUM: 
//www.gopetition.com/petition/40043/sign.html

For the past 57 days, the Iranian embassy in Greece has had to deal with the burden of Iranian asylum seekers on hunger strike and, in turn, the Greek government has felt the pressures from international organizations to take a stance on the situation. The asylum seekers endure hard conditions of wind and rain as they await action by the Greek government.

The Campaign for Iranian Political Refugees in Greece was launched almost two months ago. Its members are the Iranians hoping to gain asylum status, because returning to Iran is not an option for them. They have made it clear with chants of “down with the principle of the Supreme Leadership” that their struggle has shaped into a political one against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Over forty of the campaign members are on hunger strike for more than two weeks now. Eight of them have sewn their lips in further demonstration of resistance to the lack of action by the government of Greece.

The campaign, according to one of its members, is about Iranians around the world standing in solidarity with the hunger strikers in Greece.  In a video posted on Facebook, the same member explained that the campaign’s goal is not just about attaining passports, rather, it stands against the repression of a regime that stones, executes, and tortures.  One of the campaign’s statements reads that the hunger strikers hope to serve as examples for Iranians inside and outside the country.

Based on recently published internet video clips, members also aim to expose the close and friendly relationship between the Iranian regime and the Greek government: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=VifI2v7Ux4k

Erfan Amir, one of the Iranian asylum seekers, told Persian2English that the campaign requests from international organizations to answer their cries, because their voices are being silenced in Greece. He stated that based on available evidence, the Iranian and the Greek police work together on refugee issues. He added that Iranians who are caught upon arrival to Greece are identified and could face deportation or risk getting issued a false charge of drug smuggling, which is used as an excuse to issue long prison sentences.

 

According to Amir, the victory of the campaign is for everyone. He stated, “God forbid if we fail in our struggle, the efforts of freedom lovers will be questioned. It is the duty of Iranians to get involved and come forward.”

The Campaign of Iranian Political Refugees in Greece asks Iranians and supporters to stand in front of Greek embassies to show their solidarity with the hunger strikers. 

 

Report by Maryam Nayeb Yazdi for Persian2English

 

Recent videos from the Campaign for Iranian Political Refugees in Greece:

Video 1Greek authorities attack and yell at the Iranian asylum seekers, “This is Greece and we will do whatever we want.”

Video 2: October 17, 2010 at 6:00pm: Mandana, who is on hunger strike and who has sewn her lips shut, began to feel ill and was transferred to the hospital.

Video 3: A video clip of the tents set up by the Iranian asylum seekers.

Video 4: October 19, 2010: Supporters show their solidarity with the Iranian hunger strikers. Various Greek groups attended in support of human rights and the Campaign.

Video 5: October 20, 2010: AFP interviews one of the members of the Iranian political campaign in Athens, Greece

Video 6: October 24, 2010: University students in Greece show their solidarity and support for the Iranian asylum seekers on hunger strike.  

 

FOR PICTURES AND MORE VIDEOS, GO TO POST: //persian2english.com/?p=15805

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more from Maryam Nayeb Yazdi
 
Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

BTW

by Maryam Nayeb Yazdi on

That is Marzieh's voice singing Ey Iran in the beginning of PART 2. R.I.P. Marzieh 


Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

Thank You Everyone

by Maryam Nayeb Yazdi on

for your comments. 

Kollah Makhmali: Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging words. I hope that the voices of the Iranians in Greece reach far and wide, and as Rouzbeh said, I hope many people sign the petition: 
//www.gopetition.com/petition/40043/sign.html

My intention to post this here was for people to see the injustices taking place in other countries in the hands of the Iranian regime. The point to be highlighted is that the Greek government has friendly relations with the Iranian regime. This being a fact, it is no wonder that over 40 Iranians are forced to go to drastic measures to draw attention to their case on a global level. I am not in their position to judge their actions. All I can do is support them and try to reach their voices to a large audience. 

In terms of what our political beliefs are, we are all Iranians and above all humans. We need to respect that.

At the end of the day, our main goals of achieving freedom, democracy, and justice are aligned. Our differing political views is what makes Iran so beautiful. Now we just have to learn to work together and respect and accept this reality. 

And Darius, thank you for the links.  

I was in NYC covering the UN protests. Here is my coverage. It has a part 1 and 2.  The opposition movement has to be unified and we have to support all Iranians and not turn against each other if we want to achieve our main goals.

 

Video 1: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk6z_wM_qrg

Video 2: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=newWpyN3WyA 


کلاه مخملی

داریوش جان

کلاه مخملی


اول برو آدم شو و حرف زدن یاد بگیر .. :)

دوم، ما بچه سوسولایی مثل تو را تو تهرون اصلا جدی نمی گیریم - نشستن تو پاریس، همش چرت و پرت می گن .. :)
،
سوم، عذر می خوام، اِنقد  ماتحت این پهلویا  را نبوس :) - لبات داره تاول میزنه ... !

درضمن، من همیشه طرفدار مرحوم مصدق بودم - یه چیز یادت نره: ناخن چینده مصدق میرزه به تمام این پهلویا ... :) !

 

 


Roozbeh_Gilani

I encourage everyone to sign the petition supplied by Maryam.

by Roozbeh_Gilani on

This is a human rights and not a party political issue. We might disagree with these compatriots methodes, but they are humen being in need of our help, let's not forget that.

I signed, #495.

Thank you Maryam for providing the link and highlighting this. 

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."


Darius Kadivar

Khob کلاه مخملی Jaan ;0)

Darius Kadivar


Boro To Ham Yek Soozan Bekon Too Koonet Manam Dast Bezanam ;0)                                                                                                       Shoma Republicanollahiha hasteed keh Donya Roh Siah o Sepid Meebeeneed !    
 

Reza Pahlavi's Letter to the Honorable Prime Minister Yeoryios Papandreou on behalf of the Iranian refugees in Greece                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    IRANIAN SOLIDARNOSC: Shahbanou Farah Speaks to Greek Press on Iranians Plight

Doesn't change my positiion on the subject !     Man Meetonam Saltanat Talab Basham va barayeh Khodam Fekr Konam !    30 Saleh Shoma Jomhurykhahan Cheh Gohi Khordeed keh Enghadre beh Khodetoon Eftekhar Meekoneed va beh Ma Mashrooteh Khahan Meekhaheed Dars Bedeed ?  

کلاه مخملی

مریم

کلاه مخملی


بذار یکی دو چیزا برات روشن کنم:

اول از همه، نیتت پاکه - من هیچ شکی ندارم که این کارایی که نو داری می کنی، می خوای به این بچه ها واقعا کمک کنی .. :)

مطلب دیگه ای که می خوام باهات در میون بذارم اینه: این دوستان شاهی که در زیر اِنقد سنگ همه چیزه دیگه را به سینشون میزنن، یه چیزی یادشون رفته - تو سِنِت پایینه، حتما یادت نیست - ولی سی سال پیش که شاه دید این آخوندا دارن حکومتا از دستش در میارن، عوض اینکه تو ایران بمونه، و با ارتشش جلوشون ایستادگی کنه، گذاشت در رفت - بعدشم که دیدی: ارتشش بکل منحل شد، و ژنرالاشا یکی یکی گرفتن و اعدام کردن ... ! تو از این دار و دسته نصیحت نگیر .. !

دو مرتبه می خوام تشویقت کنم که به کارت ادامه بدی - شاید همه با روش این بچه ها تو یونان موافقت نکن - ولی من هیچ شکی ندارم که هدفشون یک ایران بهتره .. :)

 در ضمن، بلاگت دیگه تو صفحه اول نیست - نباید بلاگتا تغییر بدی وقتی تو صفحه اوله، وگرنه میفته - به جهانشاه ایمیل بزن بگو دوباره بذارتش صفحه اول :)

ممنون از این کارات - موفق باشی .. :) !

 

 


Darius Kadivar

VPK Jaan I didn't say the contrary ...

by Darius Kadivar on

But Personally I cannot endorse such a behavior no matter what the Legitimate reasons behind it.

This is Not how I concieve our struggle against oppression.

Maybe the fact that my father was a medical doctor and a surgeon and would have not approved such a behavior either explains my outrage.

It does not change the fact that as an Iranian I wish them to get assylum and given a job that could allow them to survive.

But if their intention is merely suicidal then don't expect me to participate to their own destruction.  

All I can do is feel their pain but I cannot find a cure to it without their own good will ... Nor could Sa'adi :


بنى آدم اعضای يک پیکرندکه در آفرينش ز یک گوهرند چو عضوى به درد آورد روزگار
دگر عضوها را نماند قرار تو کز محنت دیگران بی غمی
نشاید که نامت نهند آدمی

Human being are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain. If you've no sympathy for human pain, The name of human you cannot retain!


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Darius Jan

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

This Girl and her likeminds need psychiatric help.

You may be right! Living under the terrorist Islamist repression does that to people. It turns a normal person into a basket case. Yes she may need help but it was the IRI that did this to her. After watching the horrors of Islamist it is hard to remain normal.

 


Darius Kadivar

Sorry but this is NOT Persian Pride !

by Darius Kadivar on

Say what you will this is Self Pity !

There are More creative ways of getting your message through than hurting yourself physically and worse seeing those in healthy condition approve such a self inflicting behavior.

30 Years of This God Damn Republic of Yours has Driven You and an Entire Generation Nuts !

GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT !

You are incapable of distinguishing between a Reasonable behavior of Outrage and indignation and a Desperate one.

The last thing you ask a suicidal Person is to ask them to Jump Out of the Window.

That is What you are demanding from them by endorsing their self mutilation.

In addition if you are a genuine refugee and care about your family's well being you demand Assylum Full Stop not add another unrealistic condition to satisfy an end to your predicament like is the case for these folks demanding Regime Change.

I am all for Regime Change but if I have to choose between getting an Assylum to save my family and make a Political Statement, I wouldn't hesitate, I would Simply ask for Assylum Full Stop.

This is just another immature behavior on behalf of a bunch of unrealistic individuals at best.

I don't approve of Greece's indifference to your friends predicament but Greece like any country has it's own Priorities and cannot accept refugees merely by altruism. They are faced with massive illegal immigration like nearly all european countries. They have trouble with the Turks who also create trouble on their frontiers and force their entrance into the European Union. Unfortunately whether one likes it or not The Greeks no more than any other European Country cannot simply accept anyone on their territory including for humanitarion reasons without creating a jurisprudence that would then force them to do so each time desperate refugees enter their territory. Greece is also faced with an economically bankrupt situation and is accountable to it's European partners and has to comply to Europe's laws in terms of immigration. It's not like it can do what it likes !

Is the Greek government's Attitude Unjust ? Absolutely ! ...

Is it Unfair ? No !

Because any governments duty is First and Foremost to their own citizens ! ... Their well being and preserving their jobs and security.

Greeks are not forced to accept your conditions except if the international community and Humanitarian Organizations can prove legally that your predicament is indeed a question of Life and Death !

If that is the case then by all means these organizations as well as the Iranian Diaspora should rush to your help. But if that is not the case and you are merely seeking to make some spectacular political statement which is irrelevant to your current immediate concern or that of your loved ones ( specifically children) and is impossible to satisfy by any country's government which has it's own concerns and priortities then your attitude is nothing short but irresponsible.

I know many Iranian Refugees who went through the same situation as these folks but they did not confuse their PRIORITIES:

Pour Un Instant: LA LIBERTE!  by Darius KADIVAR

And it did not stop them to oppose the IRI subsequently !

You Should Focus Your efforts and Struggle on LEGAL Terms and a judiciary defence of their case if you wish to help these poor devils in their predicament and Not Confuse it with Political Goals !

Any Honest and professional Lawyer would tell you the same thing !

There is Nothing Virtuous in Martyrdom !


Darius Kadivar

If your angry then Go and Buy a Gun and Shoot the IRI bastards

by Darius Kadivar on

Or worse indulge in Terrorist Activities like the Ba'ader Meinhoff and die a heros death:

The Baader Meinhof Complex (TRAILER)

Why Beat Yourself ? ...

Either way you lose yourself !!

Actually a person who indulges in such behavior is very well capable of going to the opposite extremes as her torturers or the likes of Carlos :

CARLOS - THE JACKAL: Olivier Assayas' Bio Epic on Carlos and the OPEC Hostage Taking  

This Girl and her likeminds need psychiatric help.

 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

This is

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

not masochism. This is an expression of anger and frustration. Folks  we may not agree with how she goes about it. I do not myself. But then I also see why an Iranian woman is so pissed about her nation run by a gang of misogynist assholes from 6th century. 

The real people who should have had their mouths sewed where the previous generation. Those morons who went to the street demanding Khomeini take power.

They are the ones who sold their children to the devil.That is the generation which will live in infamy for the rest of all time.


Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

Who Is Giving Iranians a Bad Name?

by Maryam Nayeb Yazdi on

The Iranian who is willing to die for the chance to live a half decent life and chants "Marg Bar Dictator" for the chance of helping create change for all Iranians and themselves? (read blog post for more information)

Or the Iranian who ignores all the information about the person willing to die and instead of trying to help her gain a half decent life, this Iranian calls her a masochist and states she needs psychiatric help.  

Persian pride is about supporting all Iranians who need our support in times of need...not because we agree with them or not, but because we care about them as humans and about the future of Iran.  

There are over 40 Iranians stuck in Greece and many can't even register for asylum still! They have their children with them as well..and they have no money...Shame on all of you who spend your time criticizing rather than helping and supporting. shame, shame.

‎"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein 


کلاه مخملی

دوستان

کلاه مخملی


اینجا مریم داره سعی می کنه یه طوری کمک این بچه ها بکنه :)

لطف کنید، عوض اینهمه انتقادات، یه قدم مثبت بردارید ... !

 

 


Sargord Pirouz

Yeah, giving Iranians a bad

by Sargord Pirouz on

Yeah, giving Iranians a bad name.

Similar, in some respects, to the acts of self-immolation committed by certain members of the MEK/MKO in 2003. 


Raoul1955

The woman depicted in the photo

by Raoul1955 on

Needs psychiatric help.  Masochism [as depicted in the photo] just like sadism is a mental illness and has nothing to do with political, philosophical, or otherwise social issues.


Darius Kadivar

Masochistic Auto Mutilation is Not something I approve

by Darius Kadivar on

regardless of the legitimate intentions behind such a gesture like sewing one's lips. I don't approve that. Sorry That is not an example to follow. 

For the Rest I wish you good luck and hope that you will get all the moral International support from fellow compatriots and humanitarian organizations you need so that the Greek authorities put an end to your predicament and see to your well being and give you assylum but don't count on me to endorse such acts which are no different than the MKO when they burn themselves or the IRI which encourages kids to self mutilate themselves in Azah Dary or Ta'zieh or any other god damn religious ritual ...

The Only person you are hurting is yourself !