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Monday, 07 February 2005 |
CHRIS DAVIES
19 June 2003
The Honorable Jacques Chirac
President of the Republic of France
Elysee Palace
55,rue du faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris
Dear Mr. President
I am appalled by reports of attacks by the French police against the
Iranian refugees, who have been opposition activists or a part of
Iran's main opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
This is contrary to any political principles, the Geneva Convention
refugee protections, and certainly the French tradition.
At a time when Tehran and other major cities are the scene of major
anti-government demonstrations, and are demanding political freedoms
and the replacement of the clerical regime, these attacks against the
opposition will conclusively put France on the side of the ruling
regime whose long held demand has now been fulfilled.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran has committed itself to
struggling against the Iranian regime inside Iran, and they have had no
unlawful, military, or "terrorist" attacks outside of Iran. Therefore,
I urge your direct intervention to ensure the immediate release of the
movement's leader, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, who sent a message from her
detention asking Iranian refugees to stop emulating themselves. It is
also important that no expulsion or extradition will take place with
regard to all those detained.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Davies MEP |
