Posted on 06/21/2005 9:27:18 PM PDT by nuconvert
Writer, Lawyer Dr. Nasser Zarafshan on the Verge of Death in Prison
Prominent Iranian writer and lawyer Nasser Zarafshan who has been on a hunger strike for the past week in Iran’s infamous Evin Prison in Tehran is ill and at the brink of death. Zarafshan who has been in prison for close to four years has vowed to continue his hunger strike until his released despite his kidney stones.
On June 18, over 120 International writers from the 71 Congress of International PEN held in Bled Slovenia signed a statement demanding the immediate release of Zarafshan and all other political prisoners in Iran namely Akbar Ganji and Yousseff Banitrof.
An international call of support to all foreign ministers concerning Zarafshan has been issued by numerous human rights organizations. Supporters are asking foreign ministers across the world to send a message to the Islamic government of Iran letting them know that the government must do everything in its power to save Zarafshan’s life.
PEN Canada has asked the Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew to take immediate action and get in touch with the Iranian government in order to save Zarafshan’s life.
Speaking to Shahrvand, Dr. Reza Baraheni, a prominent Iranian writer and poet, and one of the Canadian delegates at the PEN conference explained “If anything happens to Zarafshan, the Islamic government of Iran will be held directly responsible.”
Can't someone pay this brave man the honor of including a small piece of his writing? I couldn't find one excerpt in all the appeals for this writer/lawyer.
I'm sure Amnesty International will assist....
No?
I'm sure the U.N. Human Rights Commissioner will assist....
No?
I'm sure International ANSWER will assist....
No?
I'm sure the National Council of Churches will assist....
No?
Well -- I guess he not worth saving....
Semper Fi
I believe most of his writing may have been legal articles. He also did translations.
Here's a bit more on his arrest and sentencing.
http://www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/honorarymembers/iran/nasserzarafshan/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.