Solidarity with the Iranian/Kurdish Hunger Strikers

Demonstration

Called by: Scotland Against Criminalising Communities and Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees
Thursday 18 March 11.30am
Scottish Parliament
Lawnmarket
Royal Mile
Edinburgh
Scotland

Inquiries/further information:
Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees
Margaret 07870 286 632
Lorna 07967 504 921

Lobby Jack McConnell at the Scottish Parliament
The protest is scheduled just before First Minister's Question Time

Blunket's Shame - End McConnell's Silence

Kurdish Hunger Strikers
Supporters of the three Iranian Kurds from Glasgow who have been on hunger strike for 3 weeks are urging others to keep writing/faxing Jack McConnell leader of the Scottish Parliament and David Blunkett the UK Home Secretary demanding that they both take action to resolve their plight.

The three men; Faroq Haidari, Fariboz Gravindi and Mokhtar Haydary have been refused asylum, but know that if they are returned to Iran they will face torture and even execution for their political activism in support of the Kurdish Democratic Party.
The three have stitched their lips together in a symbolic illustration of the failure of the UK government to hear about the suffering of the victims of brutal regimes where human rights are violated.

Human Rights groups have issued countless reports of the persecution of Kurdish people by the Iranian authorities.
Faroq, Fariboz and Mokhtar fled their city of Kermanshah in 2001 in fear of their lives. They paid an agent to bring them to the UK, believing that they would be protected.
Mokhtar's uncle had been executed by the regime and the men knew that their lives would be in danger if they remained.

The situation has caused outrage amongst supporters including members of the Scottish Parliament and Trade Unionist who are demanding a statement from Jack McConnell, leader of the Scottish Parliament.

Supporters will be demonstrating on Thursday and invite all sympathizers to join them:

What you can do to help 1) :
Please send messages of support for Faroq Haidari, Fariborz Gravindi, and Mokhtar Haydary to: solidarityglasgowhungerstrikers@yahoo.co.uk

What you can do to help 2) :
Write or fax Jack McConnell leader of the Scottish Parliament requesting that the 3 men are allowed to stay in the UK. You can use the model letter attached or copy/amend/write your own version, feel free to add your own comments.
Fax Jack McConnell on 0131 244 6915, from outside the UK + 44 131 244 6915.

or write direct:

Jack McConnell
Scottish Parliament
Lawnmarket
Royal Mile
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP    

What you can do to help 3):
    Write or fax the UK Home Secretary requesting that the 3 men are allowed to stay in the UK. You can use the model letter attached or copy/amend/write your own version, feel free to add your own comments.
Fax David Blunkett on 0207 273 3965, from outside the UK +44 207 273 3965

or write direct:

David Blunkett
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AT

Please fax copies of anything sent to:
01642 679298 from outside the UK + 1642 679298

Inquiries/further information:
Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees
Margaret 07870 286 632
Lorna 07967 504 921
glascamref@hotmail.com

Source for this page: Scotland Against Criminalising Communities and Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees