My sister, Nahid Modaressi is in danger of deportation from Türkiye after being forced to flee from Iran in 2018 due to serious threats to her life based on her personal identity. Three months after arriving, she was interviewed by the UNHCR Türkiye and accepted as a protected refugee based on proven danger of imprisonment and possible execution if she returned to Iran.

In 2023, she went to the Immigration office to renew her identity card. While there, she was physically assaulted by a security guard. She tried to resolve the issue but the staff at the immigration office treated her cruelly and did nit help. She filed a complaint. Shortly after that she was informed that they needed to interview her again to reassess her refugee claim. Despite all of the documents and testimony she provided, it was not accepted and her refugee status was revoked. She appealed the decision. However in 2024, she found out that her appeal was denied, leaving her at a permanent risk of deportation. 

Her refugee status being revoked with no explanation, coincided with her public advocacy on behalf of our younger sister, Elham. In 2022, Elham was arrested for attending protests on behalf of Mahsa Zhina Amini, later known as the Women Life Freedom movement. During her imprisonment, she was subjected to physical and psychological torture and was injected with unknown substances causing her liver to fail. 

Nahid held numerous public interviews with international media to raise awareness about our sister’s situation, begging the world to help pressure the regime to free her. After our sister was released from prison and when she was later able to get to Türkiye; Nahid began the long process of raising funds and campaigning to help Elham receive a life saving liver transplant. After the surgery was successful, Elham and our mother were safely relocated to Canada. 

Shortly after she got Elham to safety, Nahid was informed that a decision had been made regarding her appeal: it was denied. Her refugee status was terminated with no possibility of appeal, leaving her once again at risk of deportation at any moment. This time there is nothing to be done inside Türkiye. 

My sister has faced discrimination, and social rejection/exclusion from society. She also remains at risk due to the government’s laws. While she is subjected to harassment in Türkiye, in Iran she faces death. 

My family has remained targeted by the regime in Iran simply for being Kurdish, and this has heightened since the arrest and escape of our younger sister Elham. Nahid has been outspoken against the brutality of the regime, and fought for the freedom and safety of Iran's citizens, making her an even bigger target. She has helped other political refugees in Türkiye after also fleeing Iran, and has supported protestors who were injured during demonstrations in Iran. Her active role in the Women Life Freedom movement has increased the danger she faces. 

I implore the Turkish immigration offices reverse their decision to deny her protected refugee status and that the UNHCR does its duty and protects my sister. Her life is in danger if she is deported back to Iran. She is an honest, kind, and powerful person who has done everything she can to help people. Her dream, like many Iranians, is simply freedom, safety, and equality for everyone.

I beg any agencies who facilitates resettlement to help my sister. I also call upon Canadian officials to recognize the danger my sister is in, and to understand the urgent need to expedite her G5 Sponsorship. Let her come immediately to Canada; for her safety, and to reunite with our mother and sister. 

Honourable Mélanie Joly, Honourable Marc Miller, help us bring Nahid to safety.

Thank you.