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UK - Margaret Owen - International Human Rights Lawyer |
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Saturday, 05 February 2005 |
Dear Mr. Chirac
I am writing to express my outrage at the unjustified attack by the French
Police on the Headquarters of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the Iranian Resistance's
President-elect, and other Iranian political refugees who have been living
peacefully in France for more than two decades.
I am utterly appalled, as, in my role as an international women's human
rights lawyer, working for women oppressed all over the world, I had
always viewed France as a keen upholder of human rights and a zealous
critic of barbarous, brutal and totalitarian regimes.
I and my many colleagues and friends, within and outside government,
are at a loss to understand why your government has taken such savage
action against brave people who have worked non-violently in an
opposition to a regime which is, the world over, condemned for its
human rights abuses.
On Tuesday, 17 June, dozens of Iranians, some in their 70's, were severely
beaten up and detained on baseless charges of terrorism while many of them
were under police protection in France due the activities of Iran's
terrorist regime against its political opponents.
These political refugees had come to France, escaping persecution in Iran.
Many have had several members of their families executed by the Iranian
regime. Others were themselves imprisoned and tortured by the fundamentalist regime in Iran.
It is a shame to say the least that France, which has long prided itself on
being a protector of human rights and freedom of expression, has forsaken
its ideals and turned its back on France's own rich tradition of supporting
freedom by doing the dirty work of the Iranian regime. Indeed, by taking
these actions, the French have apparently empowered a terrorist regime over
a group of Iranians who are protesting for freedom.
In condemning the unlawful and unjustified actions of the French Police, and
in regards with the court hearing today, I urge you to secure the release of
those illegally detained, particularly Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.
Yours sincerely
MARGARET OWEN
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER
36 FAROE ROAD LONDON W14 OEP
0207 603 9733
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