Yesterday was declared a day of action for two imprisoned Iranian bloggers.
Today one of them was sentenced to 14 years in jail. Why ? For the crime of criticising the arrest of other bloggers or ‘spying and aiding foreign counter-revolutionaries’ as such anti-state activity is known in the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian Committee to Protect Bloggers has ideas for action:
If you are outside the U.S., as many of you will be, you can contact either the Permanent Representative to the United Nations or the Iranian ambassador in your own country.
Because distinct, individual messages are more effective than form letters, we will only provide suggestions.
Be respectful. Bloggers are known for speaking their minds with a minimum of preciousness. But you are writing diplomats, not other bloggers.
Make reference to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Iran is acting in defiance of this global standard.
Write a letter in addition to an email. It will amplify your voice and come on, your printer is like three feet from you. Besides, when was the last time you went outside?
Later, rinse, repeat. Do not just write once and forget about it. Keep on top of Arash and Mojtaba’s stories. Write and email repeatedly. Keep the pressure on.
In addition to your efforts, the Committee will contact both the Iranian Interests Section and the office of the Ambassador to the Permanent Mission. We will report back to you with what we find out.
It’s up to us, no one else. Let’s take responsibility for our own and show the world bloggers are a force.
The email address of the Iranian Embassy in the UK is:
info@iran-embassy.org.uk
