Dear Freedom Loving People!
The oppressive Islamic Republic regime has turned Iran into a large prison for people by denying them their basic human rights such as freedom of expression and association. Within this general prison are specific locations such as the notorious Evin prison that the regime locks up political activists that mostly have peacefully demanded their democratic rights such as free media and fair elections. Most of these people are kept for months without being charged or tried. Some are kidnapped in the middle of night without informing their family or lawyer. Most are denied visitation rights. The slightest protest lands them in solitary confinement. Even after “judges” rule that they must be freed, some are kept for indefinite amount of time.
It is in protest against such mistreatment and demand for improving their prison conditions that 17 political prisoners in Evin who are kept in solitary confinement have gone on hunger strike since July 26, 2010. Their families outside the prison have joined them and gone on hunger strike after being denied visitation rights. Three of these prisoners are on “dry” hunger strike and a number of independent medical authorities have warned that most of strikers are in frail physical conditions, some life threatening.
The Solidarity Committee for Advancement of Democracy in Iran (SCADI-NY) is calling for a two-day symbolic hunger strike in front of the United Nations building in Manhattan from Thursday August 12th at 10 AM to support Evin strikers’ demands. Please spread the word and plan to join us for as long as you can afford.
