Zahra Bahrami’s death sentence has been confirmed
Her execution sentence can be carried out at any moment
Zahra Bahrami, a Dutch- Iranian citizen has been held in prison in Iran since 27 December 2009. Zahra Bahrami travelled to Iran to visit her family, and while there, she was arrested and charged allegedly with “Moharebeh” (which means enemy of God) and “acting against national security”. Zahra was tortured and forced to make a televised “confessions” to admit her charge. Zahra was trailed on 16 August 2010, but was denied access to a lawyer. During the trial she repeatedly requested to have an access to a legal representative, but her request was ignored.
Since August 2010 Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI) has been trying to draw an international attention towards the situation of Zahra by setting up an online petition, sending several letters to the Netherlands’ foreign minister, contacting media and human rights organisations and holding demonstrations. Hundreds of people have already sent protest letters to the Iranian regime in support of Zahra demanding her immediate release.
The European Parliament resolution of 8 September 2010 on the human rights situation in Iran stated that: “the Iranian Government reconsider Zahra Bahrami’s case, immediately grant her access to a lawyer and consular assistance, release her or grant her due process; calls on Baroness Ashton, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to raise the issue of Zahra Bahrami’s detention with the Iranian authorities”.
The Iranian authorities have come up with a new accusation which claims that Ms Bahrami had cocaine and opium in her possession at the time of her arrest. This is a well known tactic of the Iranian regime to use drug as pretext to legitimised execution of Zahra who is a political prisoner.
In an interview with Radio Netherlands Banafshe Najebpour, Zahra’s daughter mentioned: “The last time I have seen my mother was Tuesday last week. She was doing quite well, and she was certain that she would receive help from the Dutch government because she knows she hasn’t done anything wrong. But we didn’t get any help.”
Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI) is seriously concerned about Zahra’s life and safety. CFPPI has been campaigning to support and to demand Zahra Bahrami to be freed immediately. CFPPI has asked people to keep the pressure on the Islamic regime of Iran to free Zahra Bahrami. We have also urged Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take an action to save Zahra’s life. Zahra is a Dutch citizen and her rights must be protected by the Dutch government. We call on all human rights organisations and concerned individuals to write to Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Uri Rosenthal and urge him to take an action to save Zahra Bahrami.
The only way to prevent Zahra‘s execution is by exerting continuous pressure on the Islamic regime directly.
Zahra Bahrami and his family need your support
Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
12 January 2011
Take an action, by sending a protest letter to the address below:
Dear Mr Uri Rosenthal
I/we express concern for the situation of Zahra Bahrami. I/we urge the Dutch government to put pressure on the Islamic Regime of Iran to overturn Zahra’s dead sentence and release Zahra Bahrmai immediately and unconditionally.
Name/ organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
City/country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Uri Rosenthal
PO Box 20061,2500 EB The Hague, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 70 3486486
Fax: + 31 70 3484848
Email form: http://www.minbuza.nl/en/The_Ministry/Contact_the_Ministry/Contact_us/General_questions_and_comments
Or email address: u.rosenthal@minbuza.nl
Please send a copy to:
catherine.ashton@ec.europa.eu , eastgulf@amnesty.org , info@leader.ir
Mr Cees J. Kole , Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tehran, Email: teh@minbuza.nl
You can also send your protest letters to the Iranian Embassy in your country.
Please send a copy for our record to: freepoliticalprisoners@gmail.com
Sign our online petition in support of Zahra Bahrami
http://www.petitiononline.com/zahra123/petition.html
(This petition will be sent to Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Uri Rosenthal and members of European Parliament)