majid tavakkoli power point

8/3/2019 Majid Tavakkoli Power Point

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Special Focus Case:

Majid Tavakkoli

Campaign for Individuals at Risk


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Majid Tavakkoli: Overview

He is a student leader and member of the Islamic Students Association, working

to peacefully represent students interests and concerns in Iran.

Before arrest, he studied ship building at Amir Kabir University

24 years old

Prisoner of Conscience, imprisoned solely

for the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression


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Majid Tavakkoli: Case Background2009

Copyright atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com

Majid Tavakkoli was arrested on December 7, 2009 following his speech at a

peaceful rally marking Student Day

Demonstration was part of anti-government protests following disputed

presidential election in June 2009.

He was reportedly beaten during his arrest, sentenced following an unfair trial inJanuary 2010 and held in solitary confinement for several months

Majid was tried and sentenced to 8 years of prison during an unfair trial, one

in which his lawyer was not allowed to attend


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From January to May 2010, he was placed in solitary

confinement and was allowed only one brief family

visit for 15 minutes

During this time, he was staging a hunger strike

and was reportedly suffering from a respiratory

condition, internal bleeding, and loss of speech.

Raja'i Shahr Prison, copyright uruknet.info

In June 2010, Amnesty International adopted Majid Tavakkolis case as part of a

campaign to address the Iranian governments stifling of freedom of expressionwhich has escalated since the disputed presidential elections in June 2009


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Majid Tavakkoli: Case Background

2010

On December 7, 2010, marking the Student Day anniversary, Majid Tavakkoli and

imprisoned student Bahareh Hedayat wrote a joint later praising efforts of Iranian

students abroad, and called for the protection and promotion of the Student

Movement. Following this letter, both students now face additional charges of

propaganda against the system and acting against national security by

conspiring against the system.

During a recent interrogation, Majid Tavakkoli was asked to condemn the Student

Movement in order to be acquitted from his charges. He refused to do so.


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On January 5, 2011, Majid Tavakkolis family home was raided by intelligence

officers from the Shiraz Ministry of Intelligence and his brother was summoned to

appear before the Office of Investigation at the Shiraz Ministry of Intelligence.

In response, Majid Tavakkoli published a letter condemning the raid on hisfamily home.

Despite a history of arrests, torture, and solitary confinement, Majid Tavakkoli

continues to exercise his right to free expression on behalf of thousands of other

silenced Iranian students


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Majid Tavakkoli: Current Situation

Serving 8 years in prison, plus 5 year ban on any involvement in political

activities and on leaving the country

He faces additional charges of propaganda against the system and acting

against national security by conspiring against the system after publishing the

Student Day letter

Has been subjected to months in solitary confinement, restricted access to

lawyers and family.

Suffers from poor health and has been denied proper medical care


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Copyright majidtavakkoli.freepoliticalprisoners.net

CASE GOALS:

Majid Tavakkoli is immediately and unconditionally released

Until his release, Majid Tavakkoli is treated humanely according to international

human rights standards and is protected from torture and other ill-treatment and

has access to adequate medical care.

KEY TARGETS:

Supreme Leader - Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei

Head of the Judiciary - Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani

Speaker of Parliament - Ali Larijani

Head of the human rights council in the judiciary and a top adviser to the supremeleader -Mohammad-Javad Larijani

Majid Tavakkoli


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Engage Allies to Join the Call for Justice:

Student Organizations

Iranian Diaspora

Medical Associations and Networks

International Human Rights Organizations

Utilize social networking and other communication channels to ensure that people

inside Iran know we stand with them in calling for freedom of expression.

Raise Profile of Case:

Targeted approaches to niche media and selected columnists

Engage high level influential people

Joint initiatives with key international AI sections

Direct action by AI activists targeting Iran government officials

Strategy


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November 17: International Students Day

December 1-4: Middle East Studies Association

Annual Meeting (Washington, DC)

December 7: Student Day in Iran/ Anniversary of

Majid Tavakkolis arrest

December 10: International Human Rights Day

Key Dates: 2011


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Current Actions:

Pass the Mic (and Shine a Light) for Majid: Take up the microphone to help share Majidshopes for human rights, justice and peace in Iran. Hold an open mic night, encouragingpeople to share thoughts about human rights and freedom of expression.

NOWRUZ Solidarity Card Action: Send Majid Tavakkoli cards of support.

Letter Writing and Postcards: Throughout campaign, we will continue to bombardIranian government officials with letters and postcards. If you would like to receive post

cards. Please contact Ilona Kelly: [email protected].

In Development: Truthbombs - Student Radio Series: Public awareness initiative on radio stations and

other media outlets. This is an opportunity for the public to speak to the Irangovernment and call for the release of Majid. Compile collage of voices to play on

radio station networks. (Shine Some) Lights! Camera! Solidarity!: Create video recordings containing messages of

solidarity for Majid and other student activists in Iran. Record yourself reading anexcerpt from Majid Tavakkolis speeches of writings.

Community murals: Work with AI members in East, especially artists and students, tocreate large scale paintings symbolizing the right to self expression and an iconic imageof Majid.

Key Tactics
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Resources and How to Get Involved

For more information and to take action visit: www.amnestyusa.org/majid

To receive case updates and to connect with other activists taking action for

Majid, join the googlegroup: http://groups.google.com/group/SFC-Majid?hl=en.

Key Contacts:

AI Mid-Atlantic Regional Office: [email protected]

Adrian Groenendyk, Special Focus Case Coordinator,

[email protected]

Elise Auerbach, Iran Specialist, [email protected]

Ilona Kelly, Individuals at Risk Campaigner - Africa and the Middle East,

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

majid tavakkoli power point

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