Free Akbar Ganji
Akbar Ganji is the longest-serving political prisoner in Iran's journalistic community, jailed for expressing his opinion in defense of freedom and the professional rights of journalists. He was convicted by high-ranking judiciary officials in the Islamic Republic for criticizing government officials, and has so far spent more than sixty-one months in prison. Since his imprisonment, Ganji has published ''The Republican Manifesto,'' a work that outlines plans for achieving an open and democratic society, and has invited the people to engage in civil disobedience. These actions have brought him further wrath from the officials of the judiciary, who are abusing their legal powers to silence his voice, so much so that even his attorney, Dr. Nasser Zarafshan, has been sent to prison.
At 7 PM on Thursday, May 19th 2005, Ganji went on an indefinite hunger strike to protest his unfair and illegal treatment, including the refusal to grant him medical leave. This is while he is severely ill and is in dire need of special medical attention. We Iranian journalists and bloggers are extremely concerned about Ganji's health, and we call on human rights organizations to take immediate measures to pressure Iran's judiciary to release and treat him. In the present circumstances, international human rights organizations and freedom-loving people all over the word are responsible for the protection of Akbar Ganji's life.
from : Here
it is sad but it happens all over the world and the most of time no one hears about it.
(at May 29, 2005 04:41 PM)
Bad things happen all over the world, but jailing journalists is not very common in the world!!!
(at May 30, 2005 08:25 PM)
Agree with Unity. What do you mean Salism? Just because it happens around the world does it mean we should accept it as a norm and stop thinking about it?
Apparently Ganji was released last night and went back to his home. I guess the pressure to release him worked at this critical election time. Hope he never gets back to jail.
(at May 30, 2005 08:45 PM)
Dear Kaveh,
My dad is a lecturer on Physiotherapy in Iran Medical University. Ganji was taken to his office less than 2 months ago for his back ache, my dad said he is as healthy as any other journalist and although two people accompanied him, he wasnt chained. Don't we sometimes over exaggerate? I'm okay with all you said or is being said, criticism is GOOD.
Be GOOD
(at May 31, 2005 11:19 AM)
I definitely agree with most of what Kaveh has written but also believe what Saman said was true. It's very important to let the public know what's going on about some of our intellectuals and journalists. However, some people do a bit of exaggeration, and in extreme cases, they demonise everything about Iran. Although there are many things I don't like about Iran, but totally demonising the situation just distracts the international attention to the main problems.
(at June 1, 2005 03:13 PM)
Akbar Ganji is in Prison for commiting vile crimes against society. He took money to write lies about decent men. Why let him out? Are you saying he is innocent? Ha, no one says Ganji is innocent. They just say let him go.
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell
(at June 2, 2005 04:33 AM)
Who can send me ganji,s 2nd monifest..or send me the link:
majid525@icqmail.com
(at June 2, 2005 05:06 PM)
Ganji is in prison 'cause he dares to speak about the government. Expressing idea is not a crime Barry O'Connell! Freedom of speach is an essential right of every human being. Your statement: "He took money to write lies about decent men." just made me laugh. The power resides where the money exists and he struggled with the powerful men not decent men. Thank you introducing decent men of my country. hehe...
(at June 3, 2005 10:33 AM)
Dear Ramin thanks for your comment i am agree we most of what you said , ;)
(at June 3, 2005 04:38 PM)
its really sad and like islam said no many people know about it.
(at June 27, 2005 04:26 PM)
political prisoners MUST BE FREED!!!!!!!!
GANJI MUST BE FREED SOON!!!!!!!!
(at July 6, 2005 12:48 PM)
Please visit our dialogue about Ganji. It`s in persian:
http://www.goftmaan.com/forums/showthread.php?rs=cdebeccbfeadcbbedddcccbadaeabfbddfeb&t=37032
Comments