Letter to NY City Mayor Bill De Blasio
The Issue
Iranian-Americans of New York
Solidarity Network of Human Rights in Iran
July 24, 2016
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mayor de Blasio,
Undoubtedly you are aware of atrocities that the Islamic Republic is committing against people of Iran. The regime has denied Iranian people basic human rights guaranteed in its own constitution. Many citizens are in jail simply because of their peaceful and legal protest against human rights violations the state has committed. In order to call the attention of the world to illegal and inhumane treatment by the regime, a few prisoners have gone on hunger strike; Close to 60 political prisoners have been on hunger strike in the past 6 months (see attached), some of whom remain on hunger strike today.
Since the appointment of Ahmed Shaheed as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on July 17, 2011, the Islamic Republic of Iran has denied his request to visit Iran six times.
Progressive Iranians in diasporic communities support the jailed activists’ hunger strike in a variety of ways. One important act of support is to ask local authorities in their places of residence to designate one or more of these activists as an honorary citizen.
We are a group of Iranians residing in different countries, Iranian-Americans and Americans residing in the New York City metropolitan area . We would deeply appreciate it if you would consider designating one or more of the following prisoners of conscience as honorary citizens of the great city of New York.
Here are names and a short bio of three of these prisoners of conscience that you may want to consider granting honorary citizenship:
Saied Shirzad, activist in children’s rights. He was arrested for educating and organizing street children. He was arrested and kept in prison for 15 months before being convicted of “plotting to organize activities against national security.” He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Mariam Naghash Baradaran. She has converted to Christianity. She was convicted of “propaganda against the Islamic regime” and has been sentenced to four years. Her health is deteriorating rapidly in jail.
Sahar Elyassi. She has been accused of “insulting Islamic beliefs” on social media and is currently under arrest. A labor activist, she has been arrested in the past for participating in workers demonstrations.
Thank you for considering our request.
Sincerely yours,
Iranian-Americans of New York
July 24, 2016
We, the undersigned support the request of the progressive Iranian Americans in New York as outlined above:
Petition Closed
The Issue
Iranian-Americans of New York
Solidarity Network of Human Rights in Iran
July 24, 2016
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mayor de Blasio,
Undoubtedly you are aware of atrocities that the Islamic Republic is committing against people of Iran. The regime has denied Iranian people basic human rights guaranteed in its own constitution. Many citizens are in jail simply because of their peaceful and legal protest against human rights violations the state has committed. In order to call the attention of the world to illegal and inhumane treatment by the regime, a few prisoners have gone on hunger strike; Close to 60 political prisoners have been on hunger strike in the past 6 months (see attached), some of whom remain on hunger strike today.
Since the appointment of Ahmed Shaheed as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on July 17, 2011, the Islamic Republic of Iran has denied his request to visit Iran six times.
Progressive Iranians in diasporic communities support the jailed activists’ hunger strike in a variety of ways. One important act of support is to ask local authorities in their places of residence to designate one or more of these activists as an honorary citizen.
We are a group of Iranians residing in different countries, Iranian-Americans and Americans residing in the New York City metropolitan area . We would deeply appreciate it if you would consider designating one or more of the following prisoners of conscience as honorary citizens of the great city of New York.
Here are names and a short bio of three of these prisoners of conscience that you may want to consider granting honorary citizenship:
Saied Shirzad, activist in children’s rights. He was arrested for educating and organizing street children. He was arrested and kept in prison for 15 months before being convicted of “plotting to organize activities against national security.” He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Mariam Naghash Baradaran. She has converted to Christianity. She was convicted of “propaganda against the Islamic regime” and has been sentenced to four years. Her health is deteriorating rapidly in jail.
Sahar Elyassi. She has been accused of “insulting Islamic beliefs” on social media and is currently under arrest. A labor activist, she has been arrested in the past for participating in workers demonstrations.
Thank you for considering our request.
Sincerely yours,
Iranian-Americans of New York
July 24, 2016
We, the undersigned support the request of the progressive Iranian Americans in New York as outlined above:
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Petition created on July 29, 2016