URGENT - This family is on the verge of being split apart.   Seyedbigan (Bigan) Farokhpourhagheghi  was imprisoned in Iran for membership in a home Christian Church.   Conversion from Islam in Iran can lead to long term imprisonment or worse case public execution if those involved are discovered.    The family was granted UNHCR refugee status in 2014 with Bigan's case pending, but unfortunately, on April 29, 2021, Bigan was arrested by the Turkish authorities and taken to Antalya Refugee camp, with the intention to deport him to Iran.    His alleged offence?    Not having a valid ID card because his card had not been renewed as the authorities alleged he had failed to show up to several required attendances with the Immigration Police.   The arrest occurred even though the case was under appeal.  Tragically, the final appeal was rejected, although miraculously, there was a temporary reprieve granted from deportation and he has been released and will return to be with his family soon.   This situation is temporary however and the case remains unclear and a further decision is pending from the Court so deportation is not off the table and URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED NOW.

Their son who is now 17 suffers from total physical and mental disability due to a medical error at birth and needs 24 hour care.    The family has no means of supporting themselves as refugees in Turkey are heavily restricted from working and the pandemic has only made this situation worse.

Ever since the UNHCR transitioned responsibility for processing refugees directly to Turkey in 2018, life is uncertain for Iranian refugees, many of whom remain unprocessed for many years. Deportation to Iran can be initiated for virtually any reason (working without a permit, travelling beyond permitted limits, even just having a false report made by a neighbour) and if implemented, this means certain danger of personal harm, imprisonment, or even death.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO BRING THE WORLD'S ATTENTION AND HELP SAVE THIS FAMILY, AND POTENTIALLY MANY OTHER REFUGEES AND CLAIMANTS FROM DEPORTATION TO IRAN.     THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.   

A CAMPAIGN TO SPONSOR THIS FAMILY TO CANADA IS UNDERWAY.   PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT contrareed@shaw.ca or send a Facebook message to Isaac Bull if  you or someone you know could assist with this campaign or you wish to be put on the list to contribute any amount no matter how small.   The costs for the first year are estimated to be around $50,000.00 Canadian dollars.