- Target:
- Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Region:
- Iran
As reported by media throughout the world, a large numbers of people have been severely beaten and detained by the authorities. Furthermore, up to 25 protestors have reportedly been killed by the security forces and up to 5 people have died in custody following a crack-down on anti-government protests.
In addition, the Iranian authorities have attempted to prevent the flow of information by blocking access to internet and various social networking sites.
We believe that the above actions are in violation of Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), signed by Iran, which states:
" Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontier."
Moreover, Iran has been a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) since 1976.
The Honourable Julie Bishop MP
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Minister
We the undersigned wish to express our profound concern over the use of violence by the Iranian government security forces in responding to the recent protests throughout Iran.
we would urge the Australian Government to release a statement of solidarity with the people of Iran and to condemn the Iranian regime’s violent treatment of its citizens.
We would also urge the Australian Government to call on the Iranian Government to:
• refrain from use of force in responding to protests and to refrain from beating, detaining, torturing and executing the civilians for exercising their right to freedom of expression and association.
• immediately release those detained by the authorities and not to restrict the right to freedom of expression and association, by permitting peaceful public protests and by not interfering with various means of communications
• investigate deaths of the protestors and to hold those responsible accountable
Finally, we would urge the Australian Government to call on the Iranian Government and particularly its Ambassador to Australia to investigate and address the serious questions which have been asked about the conduct of the Iranian authorities in responding to the protests to ensure that people’s rights under Article 19 of UDHR and Article 25 of ICCPR are protected.
Thank you very much for your kind attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
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The Supporting Iranian Political Protesters & Prisoners petition to Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs was written by Mehran Rafiei and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.