For freedom in Iran
The human story of Pegah Emambakhsh, the Iranian lesbian girl who asked for political asylum in England, has brought the issue to national attention. dramatic situation of civil liberties in Iran.
The violation of human rights in that country has become increasingly unsustainable following a complex repressive and moralising campaign which has seen Ahmadinejad's regime is affecting both the lifestyle and the possible voices of opposition present in that society..
The problem does not only concern the homosexual community: those who have been victims of the repression by the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution include women, young people, artists, human rights activists and civil liberties associations, student movements, women's movements, and ethnic and religious minorities.
Hundreds of arrests were followed by summary trials without the possibility of defense. At least 40 people have been hanged in recent months. 26 prisoners and death row inmates have begun a hunger strike in support of the international campaign against the death penalty.
As associations that fight for rights, we believe it is essential to mobilize public opinion and institutions by proposing an appeal for freedom in Iran that everyone can sign at the address
www.humanrights-iran.org
We ask the Italian government to monitor the situation, to act diplomatically to formally condemn these executions, to call on Iran to respect international treaties, and to support the civil rights and liberation movements in the country.
Finally, we ask that they take action concrete actions, beyond journalistic statements, to offer political asylum to those who are persecuted or risk persecution if expelled to that country.
We hope that Italy, a major trading partner of Iran, a member of the UN Human Rights Committee, and a country that promotes an international moratorium on capital punishment and the abolition of the death penalty, will reaffirm its civic commitment with courageous gestures.
Aurelio Mancuso, national president of Arcigay
Francesca Polo, national president of Arcilesbica
Ennio Trinelli, president of the Lamanicatagliata Association
Appeal for freedom in Iran
The situation of repression and human rights violations in Iran has recently worsened significantly.
Following the launch of a moralizing campaign by the regime in this country that dictates precise rules even on haircuts, a very high number of violations of individual liberties have occurred.
Men and women, musicians, artists, activists and political opponents are systematically arrested on the most disparate charges.
The situation has now become dramatic. The regime has not hesitated to sentence many people to death after summary trials, usually on charges related to unspecified "sexual crimes.".
The situation is very confusing due to the difficulty of finding information and contacts in a country where terror reigns supreme. Many human rights activists have been arrested or are on the run, and it's almost impossible to find news and updates on the situation.
It is clear that this operation aims to eliminate any potential voice of dissent against the regime which, by virtue of its total control of the media, makes men and women guilty only of "Western attitudes" or "sodomy" appear as dangerous criminals.
As citizens and associations committed to full respect for human rights, we cannot accept or tolerate a situation that violates the freedom and dignity of individuals and human life.
'Italy, a major trading partner of Iran, a member of the UN Human Rights Committee, and a country that promotes an international moratorium on capital executions and the abolition of the death penalty, cannot remain silent.
For these reasons we appeal to the Italian Government to
– activate all diplomatic channels to prevent further executions;
– support the civil rights and women's liberation movements that are clandestinely present in the country;
– work with the European Parliament and at Community level so that the European Union expresses its condemnation of the ongoing repression;
– calls on Iran to respect international human rights treaties;
– make itself available to grant political asylum to those who are persecuted in Iran or risk persecution if expelled to that country;
– constantly monitor the human rights situation in Iran.