Ganji Resistance

“Today my broken face is the true face of the system in the Islamic Republic of Iran. I am now the symbol of justice that, if viewed correctly, puts on display the full extent of the oppression by the rulers of the Islamic Republic.

“My worn-out body and face reveal, paradoxically, the proclaimed justice and the true oppression. Anyone who sees me now asks in surprise, ‘Are you Akbar Ganji? What have they done to you?’ ”

From Ganji’s Letter to the

Free People of the World,

Human Rights News From Iran : Ganji, From Iranian true believer to dissident By Azar Nafisi

2005-10-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

gooya news :: Akbar Ganji Honorary Member of the Swedish PEN Center
gooya news :: politics :
According to Mr. Morteza Saghafian member of Swedish PEN Center’s board, prisoned journalist and writer Akbar Ganji has been chosen as honorary member of this center. Center praises Mr. Ganji’s efforts for freedom of speech in Iran and urges the Iranian authorities to release him immediately.

2005-10-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

Jailed Iranian writer gets first visit in six weeks

2005-10-11T12:15:00.001-07:00

Iran dissident Ganji barred from seeing visitors

2005-10-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

PM - Iran journalist disappears after second arrest

2005-09-21T11:45:00.001-07:00

Reporters sans fronti�res - Iran: "No news of Akbar Ganji for the past 25 days

Noting that Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has not been allowed any visits since his return to Evin prison from hospital on 3 September, Reporters Without Borders today voiced concern and outrage about the behaviour of the Iranian authorities towards him and their failure to keep their promises.
�Ganji seems to have been placed in total solitary confinement in a special section of Evin to which only the Revolutionary Guards have access,� the press freedom organisation said. �Shutting him away like this is a flagrant violation of Iranian law, which explicitly says detainees may receive visits from their relatives and lawyers. The sole aim of the prison authorities seems to be to break Ganji completely.�
Reporters Without Borders added : � We once again condemn of the failure of senior Iranian officials to respect their undertakings towards Ganji and his family. We have always supported negotiations with the precise objective of obtaining his release. Now, faced by the silence coming from the judicial authorities, we are resolved to press on with our campaign. The lack of any news is particularly worrying.�
Reached by telephone, Ganji�s wife, Massoumeh Shafii, said she was also very worried by the lack of news and the fact that she has not been able to visit him since 26 August.
Ganji lost at least 25 kilos in the course of a hunger which he continued for more than two months. After ending the hunger strike on 22 August, he was allowed only two weeks to recover in hospital before being sent back to prison on 3 September.
Over 15 years ago, Reporters without Borders created its 'Sponsorship Programme' and called upon the international media to select and support an imprisoned journalist. More than two hundreds news staffs around the globe are thus sponsoring "

2005-09-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

No news of Akbar Ganji for the past 25 days

Noting that Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has not been allowed any visits since his return to Evin prison from hospital on 3 September, Reporters Without Borders today voiced concern and outrage about the behaviour of the Iranian authorities towards him and their failure to keep their promises.

“Ganji seems to have been placed in total solitary confinement in a special section of Evin to which only the Revolutionary Guards have access,” the press freedom organisation said. “Shutting him away like this is a flagrant violation of Iranian law, which explicitly says detainees may receive visits from their relatives and lawyers. The sole aim of the prison authorities seems to be to break Ganji completely.”

Reporters Without Borders added : “ We once again condemn of the failure of senior Iranian officials to respect their undertakings towards Ganji and his family. We have always supported negotiations with the precise objective of obtaining his release. Now, faced by the silence coming from the judicial authorities, we are resolved to press on with our campaign. The lack of any news is particularly worrying.”

Reached by telephone, Ganji’s wife, Massoumeh Shafii, said she was also very worried by the lack of news and the fact that she has not been able to visit him since 26 August.

Ganji lost at least 25 kilos in the course of a hunger which he continued for more than two months. After ending the hunger strike on 22 August, he was allowed only two weeks to recover in hospital before being sent back to prison on 3 September.

Over 15 years ago, Reporters without Borders created its "Sponsorship Programme" and called upon the international media to select and support an imprisoned journalist. More than two hundreds news staffs around the globe are thus sponsoring colleagues by regularly petitioning authorities for their release and by publicising their situations so that their cases will not be forgotten. Currently, Akbar Ganji is sponsored by Le Devoir, Nice-Matin, La Montagne

2005-09-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

GANJI MUST BE FREED
For your information and action:

U.N. envoy urges release of Iranian journalist
16 Sep 2005 14:32:07 GMT / Source: Reuters
GENEVA, Sept 16 (Reuters) - A United Nations rights investigator on Friday called for the release of dissident Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji, reimprisoned upon discharge from hospital despite poor health after a lengthy hunger strike. Ambeyi Ligabo, U.N. special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, said Tehran should grant Ganji an "unconditional amnesty".Iran's judiciary this week denied a claim by Ganji's wife that he had been put in solitary confinement after being discharged from hospital following his hunger strike, insisting instead that he was in a shared cell. "I understand that, after a few weeks in a hospital under police surveillance, Mr. Ganji has been imprisoned again in spite of his poor health," Ligabo said in a statement."I call on the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to grant him an unconditional amnesty on humanitarian grounds and to release him without further delay."Ganji, jailed in 2000 after writing a series of articles linking senior officials to the killing of political dissidents, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2001.He was taken to hospital in July as his health deteriorated due to a hunger strike aimed at pressuring officials to free him. He ended his two-month-long hunger strike in August following promises from judiciary officials that he would be allowed to go home.Ligabo, who met Ganji in November 2003 at the notorious Evin prison, said Iranian authorities had told him then that they were considering the possibility of releasing him.Ligabo was among five independent U.N. investigators, who all report to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, to issue a statement expressing alarm about Ganji's health in mid-July.
Free All Political Prisoners in Iran
IHRAG (Iranian Human Rights Activist Groups in EU and North America)
IHRNENA@gmail.com
Phone: 1 - 514 - 365 9212 (Canada) or 46 -704 124 500 (Sweden)
Human Rights News from Iran / http://ihrgint.blogspot.com

Condemn widespread, planned, and systematic violations of the human rights in Iran

2005-09-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English Daily: "UN envoy urges release of Ganji "

2005-09-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

Reuters AlertNet - U.N. envoy urges release of Iranian journalist

2005-09-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

news - Iran: Journalist reimprisoned after a week of freedom, held with ordinary detainees

2005-09-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

JTW News - Wife of Iran journalist without news for 3 weeks

2005-09-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iran writer in 'jail quarantine'

2005-09-13T12:29:00.002-07:00

Judiciary denies Ganji back in solitary

2005-09-13T12:29:00.001-07:00

Description of Selected News

2005-09-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iran writer in 'jail quarantine': "Iranian dissident writer Akbar Ganji has been placed in solitary confinement after being transferred back to prison from hospital, his wife has said. "

2005-09-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

Journalist wieder im Gefängnis

Der zu einer sechsjährigen Gefängnisstrafe verurteilte iranische Oppositionelle Akbar Gandschi ist nach Beendigung seines Hungerstreiks wieder in Haft. Der 46jährige Journalist wurde nach seiner Entlassung aus dem Krankenhaus in das Gefängnis Ewin gebracht. Gandschi war 2001 verurteilt worden, nachdem er ranghohe Mitglieder der iranischen Führung bezichtigt hatte, in Morde an Schriftstellern und Intellektuellen verwickelt zu sein.

Quelle: Hamburger Abendblatt

2005-09-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Iran dissident journalist Ganji back in jail

Dissident Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has recovered sufficiently from his two-month-long hunger strike to return to prison, Iran's Justice Minister Jamal Karimirad said on Sunday.
Ganji, jailed in 2000 after writing a series of articles linking senior officials to the murder of political dissidents, was hospitalized in July when his health deteriorated due to a hunger strike aimed at pressuring authorities to release him.
The outspoken reporter, whose plight brought comments of outrage and concern from the United States and European Union, eventually called off his hunger strike after more than 60 days last month.
"Akbar Ganji was released from hospital yesterday and returned to the prison," Karimirad told the official IRNA news agency.
Ganji's wife has said he only ended his fast after receiving assurances from judiciary officials that he would be allowed to go home.
Iran says it considers EU and U.S. calls for Ganji's release as meddling in its internal affairs.
Ganji's lawyer Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, told Reuters her client should have been freed from prison long ago on parole since he has completed almost all of his six-year term.

Reuters

2005-08-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

L'Iranien Akbar Ganji cesse sa grève de la faim

2005-08-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

IFEX ::: "Akbar Ganji ends hunger strike"

Kofi Annan bittet um Freilassung eines Reporters im Iran

2005-08-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Kofi Annan bittet um Freilassung eines Reporters im Iran
Der Generalsekretär der Vereinten Nationen, Kofi Annan, hat den Iran aufgefordert, den Reporter Akbar Ganji freizulassen. Ganji sitzt seit 2000 im Gefängnis - er hatte in seinen Berichten Offizielle mit Dissidentenmorden in Verbindung gebracht.
Sein Gesundheitszustand ist nicht genau bekannt, er hatte im Juni einen Hungerstreik begonnen und seitdem 30 kg Gewicht verloren. Ganji ist, so BBC-Reporter Pam O'Toole, ein Kristallisationspunkt für alle Pro-Reformer und Menschenrechtsaktivisten.
Iranische Offizielle behaupten, er habe seinen Hungerstreik beendet, seine Frau konnte diese Meldungen jedoch nicht bestätigen, sie hat ihn seit 19 Tagen nicht gesehen.
(image placeholder) Quelle: news.bbc.co.uk

2005-08-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS
Iranian dissident calls off fast
Speaking after the first visit to her husband in hospital for nearly three weeks, Massoumeh Shafeih said he was in fair health.

Mr Ganji has been in hospital since starting a hunger strike in June in protest at his imprisonment.

The United States, the European Union and human rights groups have called for his release.

Ms Shafeih said her husband had told her that he had agreed to take soup and fruit compote.

She added that this was the only kind of food he could take, and that he was very weak.

Akbar Ganji was jailed five years ago after writing articles linking senior Iranian officials to a string of killings of intellectuals.

His action made him a rallying point for reformists, students and human rights activists in Iran.

Mr Ganji began a hunger strike in June, to demand his unconditional release.

2005-08-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iranian dissident 'ends protest'

2005-08-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Hospital official: Iranian journalist Ganji transferred from ICU section

2005-08-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

World News Article | Reuters.co.uk: "UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday wrote Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, demanding the release of imprisoned dissident journalist Akbar Ganji.
The letter marks the strongest action to date by the world body in pushing for Ganji to be freed. Such initiatives are always ticklish for the United Nations because Iran is a member-state.
While Annan's letter has not been made public because it has not yet been received by the Iranian authorities, it calls for 'the immediate release on humanitarian grounds' of Ganji, according to a copy seen by Reuters.
The dissident this week ended more than 60 days of hunger strike in protest at his imprisonment.
He was jailed in 2000 and sentenced to six years in prison for 'acting against national security' and other crimes. His arrest followed a series of articles linking senior officials to the murder of dozens of political dissidents.
Ganji's plight also has aroused concern at the White House and the European Union, which have similarly called for him to be released.
His supporters feared he would die from the long hunger strike but his condition was improving after he resumed eating, the spokesman of the Iranian hospital where he is being held was quoted as saying on Friday.
However, relatives and lawyers told Reuters in Tehran they were being prevented from visiting Ganji and could not confirm he had begun eating."

2005-08-19T04:42:00.000-07:00

Human Rights Activists And Ganji's Experience, by Shirin Ebadi (Rooz Online)a>

2005-08-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

2005-08-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

2005-08-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

Datum: 5. August 2005

Mit folgendem Brief wandte sich Claudia Roth, Bundesvorsitzende von
BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN heute an den iranischen Präsidenten Mahmoud Ahmadineschad:

Sehr geehrter Herr Präsident,

in großer Sorge um das Leben von Herrn Akbar Ganji wende ich mich heute
an Sie als Präsident aller Iraner. Dies voraussetzend bitte ich Sie,
Ihrer Verantwortung auch für das Leben von Herrn Ganji gerecht zu werden.

Wir wissen, dass Sie und die iranische Staatsführung zahlreiche Briefe
und Appelle in diesen Tagen aus dem In- wie Ausland erhalten, in denen
die Freilassung von Herrn Ganji gefordert wird. Das Verhalten der
zuständigen Justizbehörden ist ein Trauerspiel und zutiefst
menschenverachtend. Bislang bleiben die Justizbehörden und damit alle
iranischen Verantwortlichen eine überzeugende Erklärung schuldig, warum
Herr Ganji einen langsamen Tod sterben muss. Auch die Festnahme von
Herrn Soltani, Ganjis Anwalt, bereitet uns große Sorgen. Als einen
ersten Schritt erwarten wir von Ihnen und den Justizbehörden Irans,
Ganjis Grundrechte nicht weiter einzuschränken. Dazu gehört die
Gewährleistung von vertraulichen Gesprächen mit seinen Anwälten und den
Familienangehörigen und das Recht auf eine umfassende medizinische
Versorgung.

Sicherlich haben Sie in den ersten Tagen Ihres Amtes eine Fülle an
wichtigen Aufgaben und Verpflichtungen. Das alles ist dennoch kein
Grund, Entscheidungen zu verzögern, die Menschenleben retten können.
Bei dieser Gelegenheit bitte ich Sie, auch den zahlreichen Wünschen von
Mitarbeitern des diplomatischen Corps in Teheran und vielen
Persönlichkeiten aus dem Ausland möglichst bald stattzugeben, die Herrn
Ganji im Krankenhaus besuchen möchten.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Claudia Roth

-----------------------------------------
Quelle: www.news-on-web.de

2005-08-14T13:23:00.001-07:00

Iran News - Wife pleads to see Iran dissident, Akbar Ganji

2005-08-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

New York Daily News - Ideas & Opinions - Ramin Ahmadi: Ganji's plight lifts us

2005-08-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

11. August 2005
Oppositioneller auf Intensivstation verlegt
Ganji ist seit mehr als 60 Tagen im Hungerstreik

Der iranische Oppositionelle und Journalist Akbar Ganji .
Teheran - Nach mehr als 60 Tagen im Hungerstreik ist der inhaftierte iranische Oppositionelle Akbar Ganji auf die Intensivstation des Teheraner Milad-Spitals verlegt worden. Das verlautete am Donnerstag aus Krankenhauskreisen. Ganjis Frau sagte der Nachrichtenagentur ISNA, sie sei sehr besorgt, habe aber keine verlässlichen Informationen über den Gesundheitszustand ihres Mannes, da sie ihn seit zehn Tagen nicht habe besuchen dürfen.
Der 48-jährige Journalist verbüßt im Iran eine sechsjährige Haftstrafe. Ihm war unter anderem Verunglimpfung der Islamischen Republik bei einer Konferenz von iranischen Oppositionellen im Jahr 2000 in Berlin vorgeworfen worden. Die USA und mehrere EU-Staaten haben die sofortige Freilassung Ganjis - noch vor Verbüßung seiner Haftstrafe im kommenden Jahr - gefordert. (APA/dpa)
Quelle:der Standart.at

2005-08-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

Le Monde.fr : L'opposant iranien Akbar Ganji en grève de la faim depuis 61 jours

2005-08-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

Iran: Rally in front of Milad Hospital in support of Akbar Ganji

2005-08-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Jailed Women's Rights Activist Needs Your Help

Dr. Roya Toloui, a champion of the rights of Iran's Kurdish minority and of women was detained from her home in Sanandaj on August 2. She is reported to be facing charges of "disturbing the peace" and "acting against national security." Human Rights First is calling for her immediate and unconditional release from detention.

Toloui's detention is consistent with a pattern of harassment and persecution that she and other human rights activists in Iran's Kurdish region have suffered in recent months in reprisal for their legitimate, peaceful activities in support of basic rights and freedoms.

There has been mounting unrest in Iran's Kurdish region since the presidential elections in late June, which saw the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a candidate closely identified with Iran's ruling clerical establishment. President Ahmadinejad is viewed as hostile to Kurdish aspirations for greater equality and respect for their distinct cultural and religious traditions.

Roya Toloui is an outspoken critic of the policies of the Islamic Republic and its negative impact on the rights of women and religious and ethnic minorities. She and other human rights activists in Kordestan and West Azerbaijan provinces have been vocal in protesting a wave of repression unleashed on the region in recent weeks that has resulted in more than twenty deaths and hundreds of arrests of protesters. Regional magazines that reported on the unrest have been closed by the authorities, but information about continuing disturbances in the region continues to reach the outside world.

At this time of tension in Iran the role of independent human rights monitors is vital. Don't let the Iranian government commit human rights violations behind a cloak of secrecy. Please join Human Rights First in calling for the immediate release of Dr. Toloui and her colleagues.

Click here to Take Action: http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/Toloui_2

Learn more about the case of Dr. Roya Toloui: http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/Toloui_2/explanation

2005-08-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

2005-08-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

Iranian repression: A reporter's cry for freedom - Editorials & Commentary - International Herald Tribune

2005-08-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

If Cindy and Akbar Could Meet - Yahoo! News

2005-08-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

International News Article | Reuters.com: "Protest over Iran journalist on hunger strike"

2005-08-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

Indo-Asian News Service ->US-Diplomacy/Media/Right-Iran -> US calls for immediate release of Iranian journalist

2005-08-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

Iranische Justiz beschlagnahmt Ganji-Dokumente
Mitarbeiter der iranischen Justiz haben am Montag das Haus des hungerstreikenden gefangenen Dissidenten und Journalisten Akbar Ganji durchsucht und nach Angaben seiner Familie zahlreiche Dokumente beschlagnahmt. Seine Frau Massumeh Shafije sagte, sie sei während der zweieinhalbstündigen Razzia ans Bett gefesselt worden.

2005-08-08 Teheran :Vor der auf Video gefilmten Durchsuchung hätten die rund zehn Beamten zunächst die Telefonleitungen durchtrennt. Sie beschlagnahmten demnach einen Computer, Adressbücher, CDs, Notizen und Familienfotos von Ganjis Frau und ihren beiden Töchtern. Die Agenten hätten einen Durchsuchungsbefehl des berüchtigten Teheraner Staatsanwalts Said Mortasawi vorgezeigt, sagte Shafije weiter.
Die Razzia könnte ein Zeichen dafür sein, dass die Justiz neue Vorwürfe gegen Ganji oder seine Frau erheben wolle, sagte Issa Saharchis, ein Mitstreiter Ganjis und Anhänger der iranischen Reformbewegung. Die Teheraner Staatsanwaltschaft hatte Shafije ihren Angaben zufolge zuvor bereits unter Druck gesetzt, den Medien keine Interviews mehr zu geben.
Ganji war im Jänner 2001 zu einer Haftstrafe von sechs Jahren verurteilt worden, nachdem er ranghohe Mitglieder der iranischen Führung bezichtigt hatte, in mehrere Morde an iranischen Schriftstellern und Intellektuellen verwickelt zu sein. Am 11. Juni trat er in Hungerstreik, um seine bedingungslose Freilassung zu erreichen. Neben der Europäischen Union, US-Präsident Bush und mehreren Menschenrechtsorganisationen setzten sich auch die früheren iranischen Präsidenten Rafsanjani und Khatami für Ganjis Freilassung ein.
Verfasser: coo

Quelle: Tele2Internet.at.

07. August 2005

Iran weist EU-Appell zur Freilassung des Journalisten Ganji zurück
"Einmischung in innere Angelegenheiten" - Ganji nach fast 60 Tagen Hungerstreik in schlechtem Gesundheitszustand.

Teheran - Der Iran hat einen Appell der Europäischen Union als "Einmischung in innere Angelegenheiten" zurückgewiesen, den nach wochenlangem Hungerstreik geschwächten Journalisten Akbar Ganji freizulassen. Der Sprecher des Außenministeriums in Teheran, Hamid-Reza Assefi, sagte am Sonntag, der Iran hätte es verstanden, wenn die EU darum gebeten hätte, den Fall des seit 2000 inhaftierten Ganji zu überprüfen. "Der Iran erlaubt Botschaftern nicht, sich in seine inneren Angelegenheiten einzumischen", sagte Assefi. "Einige ihrer Äußerungen sind nicht nur interventionistisch, sondern auch noch illegal", fügte er hinzu.
Am Freitag hatte das britische Außenministerium im Namen der EU um die Freilassung des Journalisten gebeten, der nach mehr als 50 Tagen im Hungerstreik dem Tode nahe sein soll. In einem dringlichen Appell rief die EU die iranische Regierung und Justiz auf, sich zum Zustand von Ganji zu äußern. Der britische Botschafter Richard Dalton habe die iranischen Behörden gebeten, Ganji im Krankenhaus besuchen zu dürfen, wo dieser unter Bewachung behandelt wird.
Ganji wurde im 2000 zu sechs Jahren Haft verurteilt, weil er berichtet hatte, dass Geheimdienstagenten zwei Jahre vorher fünf Dissidenten umgebracht hätten. Das iranische Geheimdienstministerium räumte dies später ein, erklärte aber, die Agenten hätten vorschriftswidrig gehandelt. Im Mai wurde Ganji nach einem ersten Hungerstreik zur medizinischen Behandlung vorübergehend freigelassen, nach zwei Wochen jedoch wieder inhaftiert. Während seines neuerlichen Hungerstreiks verschlechterte sich sein Gesundheitszustand zusehends. Ganji nimmt nur Tee und Wasser zu sich. Seine Frau bezeichnete seinen Zustand in der vergangenen Woche als bedenklich. (APA/AP)
Quelle: der Standartd.at

2005-08-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

International News Article | Reuters.com: "Iran dissident Ganji still on hunger strike"

2005-08-09T07:18:00.000-07:00

Khaleej Times Online:Free Akbar Ganji now

2005-08-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

International news from swissinfo, the Swiss news platform: "Iran dissident Ganji stops hunger strike-judiciary"

2005-08-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

Reporters sans frontires - Iran: "Six more Nobel laureates join call for Akbar Ganji's release"

Six more Nobel laureates have signed a petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji, bringing the total number of Nobel laureates to have signed the petition to 14. It was launched by Shirin Ebadi of Iran, the winner of the Nobel peace prize in 2003.

"The involvement of these 14 figures who are known and admired throughout the world, testifies to the breadth of the movement of solidarity with Akbar Ganji," Reporters Without Borders said. "Even though we are asking Ganji to call off his hunger strike, that does not been we are ceasing to demand his release."

The six latest Nobel signatories are :

John B. Fenn of the United States, 2002 Nobel prize for chemistry

Walter Kohn of the United States, 1998 Nobel prize for chemistry

George A. Olah of the United States, 1994 Nobel prize for chemistry

Pierre-Gilles de Gennes of France, 1991 Nobel prize for physics

Jerome I. Friedman of the United States, 1990 Nobel prize for physics

Dudley R. Herschbach of the United States, 1986 Nobel prize for chemistry

The 14 Nobel signatories consist of six holders of the Nobel peace prize, four holders of the Nobel prize for chemistry, three holders of the Nobel prize for physics and one holder of the Nobel prize for economics.

Reporters Without Borders hails this extraordinary show of support from American and French scientists, which serves as reminder to the international community of the importance of free expression.

Ganji today began his 59th day on hunger.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04.08.2005 Eight Nobel laureates call for Akbar Ganji's release

Reporters Without Borders today hailed a petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji which was launched by Iran's 2003 Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi and which has already been signed by seven other Nobel laureates.

"Iran's most senior officials must heed this very clear message from eight world figures who have made outstanding contributions to peace and science," the organisation said, going on to appeal to foreign diplomats based in Tehran to visit Ganji at Milad hospital, where he was taken on 17 July.

Until now, Iran's government and judicial authorities have refused to heed the calls for the release of Ganji, who has been imprisoned for five years and who is continuing the hunger strike he began 54 days ago.

If the international community does not react, Ganji is going to die.

The eight Nobel laureates who have already signed the petition are :

Shirin Ebadi of Iran, holder of the 2003 Nobel peace prize

John Hume of the United Kingdom, holder of the 1998 Nobel peace prize

Jody Williams of the United States, holder of the 1997 Nobel peace prize

Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, holder of the 1984 Nobel peace prize

Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Ireland, holder of the 1976 Nobel peace prize

Betty Williams of Ireland, holder of the 1976 Nobel peace prize

Maurice Allais of France, holder of the 1988 Nobel prize for economics

Georges Charpak of France, holder of the 1992 Nobel prize for physics

sign the petition

2005-08-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Reporters sans frontires - Iran: "Press freedom group asks Ganji to call off hunger strike"
Paris, 8 August 2005

Dear friend,

I know this message will reach you, even if your hospital bed is under surveillance. I want to talk to you as a friend.

We need you, dear Akbar. We need your courage and your combative spirit to continue the fight. I am writing to you to ask you to end your hunger strike. Today, your wife, Massoumeh Shafiie, your lawyer, Shirin Ebadi, and I refuse to let you drift slowly into something from which there is no return. As from today, your body could begin to suffer irreversible harm. We do not want to lose one of the noblest and most powerful voices - the journalist Akbar Ganji.

I know that you will agree to listen to your friends and that you will have the courage to accept that they are right.

I want to reiterate to you that we are at your side, that we were there yesterday and we want to continue to be there tomorrow. We will not cease to inform public opinion, to put pressure on politicians and to shake often unmoving entities until you are given your freedom, you and the four other journalists in prison in Iran - Hossein Ghazian, Slamak Pourzand, Ejlal Eghvami and Roya Touloui.

You have done a great deal to ensure that your contemporaries are aware of the disastrous state of freedoms in Iran. Before, you did it by investigating, writing and exposing the real face of those who hold power in Iran. Now, since 11 June, you have been doing it by not eating, in order to force your tormentors to render you justice. Your hunger strike has clearly shown that "justice" is a word that is unknown to the judges who convicted you. They do not serve fairnessand the law, they are the servile thugs of a despotic regime.

Your revolt has echoed around the world. US President George W. Bush, the European Union and France have all publicly called for your release. International human rights organisations are campaigning on your behalf. Ten Nobel laureates including your friend Shirin Ebadi and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have together condemned the Iranian government's behaviour and have asked Tehran-based diplomats to go to your bedside. On Saturday, the British ambassador in Iran, Sir Richard Dalton, whose country currently holds the European Union presidency, tried to see you. The Iranian foreign ministry refused, wrapping itself in nationalist pride of poor taste. By drawing all eyes to your hospital bed, you have forced the world to look at Iran's suffering in the face.

I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.

Robert Ménard

2005-08-08T05:40:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iranian dissident's home raided

2005-08-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Khaleej Times Online:Iran rejects European Union call to release jailed journalist

2005-08-07T12:58:00.000-07:00

International News Article | Reuters.com: "Iran's Ebadi urges dissident to end hunger strike"

2005-08-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

MINISTER PETTIGREW CALLS ON NEW IRANIAN GOVERNMENT TO BREAK WITH PAST OFFENCES

2005-08-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

EU fordert Freilassung eines iranischen Journalisten
Von WZ Online / APA
Die Europäische Union hat den Iran um die Freilassung eines Journalisten gebeten, der nach mehr als 50 Tagen im Hungerstreik dem Tode nahe sein soll.
Das britische Außenministerium forderte im Namen der EU am Freitag in einem dringlichen Appell die iranische Regierung und Justiz auf, sich zur Lage von Akbar Ganji zu äußern. Der britische Botschafter Richard Dalton habe die iranischen Behörden gebeten, Ganji im Krankenhaus besuchen zu dürfen, wo er unter Bewachung behandelt wird. Ganji wurde 2000 zu sechs Jahren Haft verurteilt, weil er berichtet hatte, dass Geheimdienstagenten zwei Jahre zuvor fünf Dissidenten getötet hätten.
Das iranische Geheimdienstministerium räumte dies später ein, bezeichnete die Täter aber als Schurken im Dienste des Geheimdienstes. Im Mai wurde Ganji nach einem ersten Hungerstreik zur medizinischen Behandlung vorübergehend freigelassen, nach zwei Wochen jedoch wieder inhaftiert. Während seines neuerlichen Hungerstreiks verschlechterte sich sein Gesundheitszustand zusehends.
Ganji nimmt nur Tee und Wasser zu sich. Seine Frau Masoumeh Shafiei bezeichnete seinen Zustand in der vergangenen Woche als bedenklich.
Freitag, 05. August 2005

2005-08-06T05:28:00.000-07:00

World news from The Times and the Sunday Times - Times Online: "'Jailed journalist will die if world fails to react'"

2005-08-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

2005-08-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

World Crises | Reuters.com: "EU calls for release of Iran dissident"

2005-08-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Nobel winners back Ganji petition

2005-08-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

03.08.05 Iran
„Lasst Akbar Ganji frei“. Reporter ohne Grenzen protestiert vor dem Büro der iranischen Fluglinie auf den Champs Elysées

Parallel zum Amtsantritt des iranischen Präsidenten Mahmoud Ahmadinejad forderte Reporter ohne Grenzen bei einer Protestaktion vor dem Büro der Iran Air in Paris die bedingungslose Freilassung des Journalisten Akbar Ganji. Reporter ohne Grenzen-Aktivisten verteilten Flugblätter und hängten Poster mit Bildern von Ganji an dem Gebäude der Fluglinie auf.„Ganji ist seit 53 Tagen im Hungerstreik. Doch die iranischen Behörden bleiben hart und weigern sich, den Journalisten zu entlassen“, erklärte Reporter ohne Grenzen. „Wir stehen heute vor der iranischen Fluglinie, um gegen diese Missachtung von Menschenleben zu protestieren. Es ist eine Horrorvorstellung, dass die Behörden Ganjis Tod in Kauf nehmen, um ihn dafür zu bestrafen, dass er von seinem Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung Gebrauch gemacht hat“.Mit einem „Sit-in“ protestiert ab heute auch Ganjis Frau, Massoumeh Shafii, vor dem Gebäude der Vereinten Nationen in Teheran, um die Freilassung ihres Mannes zu erreichen. Akbar Ganji ist seit dem 11. Juni im Hungerstreik. Nach 53 Tagen ohne Nahrungsaufnahme wiegt er nur noch knapp 50 Kilo. Die meiste Zeit ist er nach Angaben seiner Frau bewusstlos. Auf Anordnung des Teheraner Staatsanwaltes Said Mortazavi finden die kurzen Besuche seiner Familienangehörigen unter Bewachung statt. Ganjis Anwälte, darunter Shirin Ebadi, die Friedensnobelpreisträgerin von 2003, durften bisher nicht zu ihm. Einer seiner Anwälte, Abdolfattah Soltani, wurde am 30. Juli verhaftet, nachdem drei Tage zuvor sein Haus durchsucht worden war. Er ist Mitglied im „Zentrum der Anwälte für Menschenrechte“. Bereits zuvor kam es zu Verhaftungen. Masoud Bastani, ein Journalist, der für reformorientierte Zeitungen wie Etemad, Toseeh und Joumhoryat schrieb und sich für Ganji einsetzte, ist am 25. Juli verhaftet worden. Weder seine Familie noch sein Anwalt durften ihn bisher besuchen. Die Festnahmen zielten nach Meinung von Reporter ohne Grenzen darauf ab, Ganji zu demoralisieren und seine Anwälte einzuschüchtern. Shirin Ebadi sagte, bei einer solchen Behandlung von Strafverteidigern sei es bei politischen Anklagen zukünftig schwierig, den Beschuldigten eine angemessene Verteidigung zu garantieren.Hintergrund:Ganji wurde festgenommen, als er im Jahr 2000 von einer Irankonferenz der Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Berlin in seine Heimat zurückkehrte. Er erhielt eine Haftstrafe von sechs Jahren, da er die Staatsführung beleidigt haben soll. Ganji hatte in seinen regimekritischen Artikeln immer wieder radikale Reformen und einen säkularisierten Iran gefordert. Auch berichtete er über die Ermordung von gut 100 kritischen Intellektuellen unter der Präsidentschaft von Hashemi Rafsandschani in den neunziger Jahren.Am 11. Juni trat Akbar Ganji in einen unbefristeten Hungerstreik. Er fordert eine angemessene medizinische Versorgung seines chronischen Asthmaleidens außerhalb des Gefängnisses und seine bedingungslose Haftentlassung. Nach Angaben seiner Frau verlangen die Justizbehörden von ihm Reue für seine Veröffentlichungen. Nach einem bereits zuvor durchgeführten zehntägigen Hungerstreik im Mai dieses Jahres wurde er zunächst freigelassen, nach knapp zwei Wochen jedoch wieder inhaftiert. Während seines neuerlichen Hungerstreiks verschlechterte sich sein Gesundheitszustand rapide. Familie und Anwälte durften ihn zunächst nicht im Krankenhaus besuchen.Reporter ohne Grenzen hat sich in einem offenen Brief an die EU-Außenminister, das EU-Parlament und die Vereinten Nationen gewandt und um Unterstützung für Ganji gebeten. Menschenrechtsorganisationen fordern seine sofortige Freilassung.Zur Petition für Akbar Ganji.

Quelle: www.reporter-ohne-gerenzen.de

2005-08-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Wieczorek-Zeul fordert Freilassung von iranischem Journalisten
Berlin (epd). Bundesentwicklungsministerin Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul hat die iranische Regierung aufgefordert, den inhaftierten Dissidenten und Journalisten Akbar Ganji sofort freizulassen. Das sei ein Gebot der Humanität, erklärte die SPD-Politikerin am Donnerstag in Berlin. Ganji befindet sich im Hungerstreik.

Wieczorek-Zeul äußerte sich besorgt über den Gesundheitszustand des Gefangenen. Er benötige dringend medizinische Versorgung. «Es kann nicht sein, dass ein Mensch eingesperrt wird und an Leib und Seele Schaden nimmt, weil er vom Recht auf freie Meinungsäußerung Gebrauch macht», so die Ministerin
(Donnerstag, 04.08.05)
Quelle: www.socialtimes.de

2005-08-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Bruxelles/Brussel, 03 August 2005,
Pressemitteilung von Angelika Beer - Iranischer Journalist Akbar Ganji schwebt in Lebensgefahr
Angelika Beer beantragt sofortige Besuchserlaubnis bei Ganji
Die Vorsitzende der EP-Delegation für die Beziehungen zu Iran, Angelika Beer, stellte gestern an die Regierung Irans einen Antrag auf sofortige Besuchserlaubnis bei dem sich im Hungerstreik befindlichen Journalisten Akbar Ganji. Die grüne Europa-Abgeordnete erklärte dazu:
"Wir fürchten um das Leben des iranischen Journalisten Akbar Ganji, der sich heute 54 Tage im Hungerstreik befindet.

Wir sind höchst besorgt darüber, dass die verantwortlichen Stellen im Iran selbst den Anwälten Ganjis keinen Zutritt ins Krankenhaus, in dem er sich befindet, gewähren.

Während der Atomstreit zwischen der EU und Iran eskaliert, ist die Frage der Menschenrechte in den Hintergrund gerückt. Dies ist nicht zu akzeptieren.

Wir appellieren an die Verhandlungsführer der EU, sich parallel zu den Bemühungen um eine friedliche Konfliktbeilegung in der Atomfrage auch für die sofortige und bedingungslose Freilassung Akbar Ganjis einzusetzen.

Den seit heute amtierenden iranischen Präsidenten Ahmadinedschad fordern wir auf, durch die bedingungslose Freilassung Akbar Ganjis ein Zeichen der Geltung des humanitären Völkerrechts zu setzen.

Die sofortige Genehmigung des beantragten Besuchs bei Akbar Ganji wäre ein erster positiver Schritt."
Hintergrund:
Akbar Ganji war Herausgeber der iranischen Wochenzeitschrift "Rah-e-No" (Neuer Weg). Die Zeitung wurde 1997 verboten. Er schrieb für radikale Reformen, für einen säkularisierten Iran. Am 22. April 2000 wurde Akbar Ganji zusammen mit zwölf weiteren Kollegen verhaftet. Sie hatten an einer Konferenz der Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Berlin zum Thema "Reformperspektiven nach den Parlamentswahlen" teilgenommen. In der Anklage werden ihm u.a. "Gefährdung der nationalen Sicherheit", "Verbreitung von Propaganda gegen das islamische System" sowie "Verunglimpfung von religiösen Erlassen und Persönlichkeiten" vorgeworfen. Seit vier Jahren sitzt der populäre Journalist im berüchtigten Evin-Gefängnis in Teheran. Aufgrund seines schlechten Gesundheitszustandes wurde er in ein Teheraner Krankenhaus verlegt, wo ihm jeder Besuch untersagt wurde.

2005-08-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

Iran: Amnesty International urges new President to make human rights a top priority

2005-08-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

Free Akbar Ganji: an appeal to Iran openDemocracy - openDemocracy

2005-08-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

Article: "International Journalists' Network: Dissident journalist could die from hunger strike"

2005-08-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

Iran - Eight Nobel laureates call for Akbar Ganji's release
MONTREAL, Aug. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Reporters Without Borders today hailed a
petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned
Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji which was launched by Iran's 2003 Nobel peace
laureate Shirin Ebadi and which has already been signed by seven other Nobel
laureates.
"Iran's most senior officials must heed this very clear message from
eight world figures who have made outstanding contributions to peace and
science," the organisation said, going on to appeal to foreign diplomats based
in Tehran to visit Ganji at Milad hospital, where he was taken on 17 July.
Until now, Iran's government and judicial authorities have refused to
heed the calls for the release of Ganji, who has been imprisoned for five
years and who is continuing the hunger strike he began 54 days ago.
If the international community does not react, Ganji is going to die.

The eight Nobel laureates who have already signed the petition are:

Shirin Ebadi of Iran, holder of the 2003 Nobel peace prize;
John Hume of the United Kingdom, holder of the 1998 Nobel peace prize;
Jody Williams of the United States, holder of the 1997 Nobel peace prize;
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, holder of the 1984 Nobel peace
prize;
Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Ireland, holder of the 1976 Nobel peace
prize;
Betty Williams of Ireland, holder of the 1976 Nobel peace prize;
Maurice Allais of France, holder of the 1988 Nobel prize for economics;
Georges Charpak of France, holder of the 1992 Nobel prize for physics;

For further information: Emily Jacquard, Canadian office representative,
Reporters Without Borders, (514) 521-4111, Cell: (514) 258-4208,
Fax: (514) 521-7771, rsfcanada@rsf.org ; www.rsf.org

Canada NewsWire Group

2005-08-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

Ganji's wife condemns assassination of judge - Irna

2005-08-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Reporters sans fronti�res - Iran: "'Free Akbar Ganji' protest outside Iran Air office in Paris"

2005-08-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

Iran: Harassment of Rights Defenders Escalates (Human Rights Watch, 3-8-2005)

2005-08-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Protest.Net: "ACTION ALERT: solidarity with the jailed Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji"

2005-08-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

2005-08-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

Ganji's Wife Appeals to the World - August 2, 2005 - The New York Sun - NY Newspaper

2005-08-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Iran News - Rights group protests Iran's Judiciary move

2005-08-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

IRAN: IMPRISONED JOURNALIST ON HUNGER STRIKE NEARS DEATH

2005-08-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Canada NewsWire Group Authorities arrest one of Akbar Ganji's lawyers

2005-08-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Iranian Writer's Condition Worsens - August 1, 2005 - The New York Sun - NY Newspaper

2005-07-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Observer | International | In brief: "Hunger striker remains in Iran jail"

2005-07-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

2005-07-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

Iran dissident 'cannot see wife' - Persian Journal Latest Iran news & Iranian Newspaper

2005-07-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

The Epoch Times | Iran Judiciary Arrests Leading Human Rights Lawyer

2005-07-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

L'état de santé du journaliste et écrivain réformateur iranien Akbar Ganji nécessite une hospitalisation

2005-07-30T14:13:00.000-07:00

Reporters sans fronti�res - Iran: "Journalist Akbar Ganji may die after 50-day hunger-strike"

2005-07-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Daily Star - Politics - Hunger-striking Iranian journalist near his death

2005-07-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ganji Is Not Alone
By Shirin Ebadi
Jul 29, 2005, 04:17
Akbar Ganji’s perilous condition is just one distressing example of the dire state of Iran’s political and ideological prisoners recently highlighted in the media. Defending Ganji and publicizing his protests is the responsibility of every human rights activist and thse who care to raise the dignity of human life in Iran.

As Akbar Ganji’s lawyer and someone who, because of my work on this imprisoned journalist’s behalf, has been subject to myriad accusations and threats, I would like to address all human rights activists with a cautionary note. Let us not forget all other political and ideological prisoners who aren’t as well-known as Mr. Ganji. Those who have been forgotten in various prisons including Evin, Rejaee Shahr and other near and far flung provincial prisons and are doing hard time. Prisons filled with such human strife and suffering have hardly been reported in Tehran Judiciary’s recent report.

In some of these prisons, political inmates endure the torture of solitary confinement while in other facilities they actually request such confinement to escape their murderous and criminally hardened cellmates. There are many detainees who have suffered long term mistreatment and are denied access to a lawyer and for whom only hunger strikes offer a slight chance of garnering a minimum of their human rights.

The harshness of treatment they receive too bears no proportion to their political or ideological acts. Recall Mojtaba Saminejad whose only crime was to publish a personal weblog with very limited readership. He was regarded as a hardened outlaw and his hands and feet shamelessly shackled when taken to and from courtrooms.

We must work together for the freedom of all political and ideological prisoners. To ensure that their human rights receive a minimum level of protection, it is essential that we do not allow them to fade away from memory, a fate that a majority of them have already suffered.

_____________________________________________________________
Shirin Ebadi is an attorney, human rights activist and winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for championing human rights, especially the rights of women and children. She was the first female judge in Iran. She is an outspoken reformer and a regular contributor to Rooz.

http://roozonline.com/11english/008937.shtml

AxisofLogic/ Civil Rights/Human Rights

2005-07-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Reporters sans frontires - Iran: "Journalist Akbar Ganji may die after 50-day hunger-strike"

2005-07-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Iran Focus-News - Special Wire - Iran's judiciary refuses to pardon jailed journalist

2005-07-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY:Hunger-Striking Iranian Dissident Reportedly Near Death

2005-07-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Iran's Students Find Inspiration in Ganji's Protest - July 28, 2005 - The New York Sun - NY Newspaper

2005-07-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

2005-07-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

IFEX ::Denial of justice continues for hunger-striking journalist Akbar Ganji

2005-07-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

ReleaseGanji.com Hosted News and Activities: "The following statement was expressed by Mr. Akbar Ganji on the Evening of July 24, 2005 in Milad hospital (Source: Iran Emrooz):
Taking into consideration the project to kill me staged by the 'Eminence of all Gray Eminences', Saeed Mortazavi, the media arm of the chain murders [of the dissidents], parallel unofficial intelligence organizations [within the power structure in Iran] and my imprisonment in quarantine on the twelfth floor of Milad hospital and the fact that I am being held under worse conditions than those I had to bear in Evin prison, I absolutely refuse to undergo any operations and since the afternoon of Saturday July 23, 2005 I have disconnected all the feeding tubes necessary for the operation.
The unbearable illegal condition I am held in includes: depriving me of visiting my lawyers- Ms. Shirin Ebadi and Dr. Molaee-, of using the telephone, of read newspapers, of visiting my friends, limiting the visits of my family members in a discriminatory fashion (All other patients in the hospital are allowed to have visits with anyone they like every day of the week), and pressuring me to undergo operation without the knowledge of my family from the prosecutor�s office.
While my weight has been reduced from 77kg to 52kg in 45 days of hunger strike, I will under no circumstances give my consent to be operated on and I have disconnected all the feeding tubes needed for the operation since Saturday afternoon July 23, 2005 and consume only water, tea and sugar, and I have told the security team very clearly to return me to prison. I will never succumb to the projects devised by the 'Eminence of all Gray Eminences' and I insist explicitly that Mr. Shahroudi must take this case out of the hands of Saeed Mortazavi.
Saeed Mortazavi told me on the very night I was transported to the hospital: 'I "