Appeal for support for Iran hunger strikers

[Omaha Steve]

http://peoplesworld.org/appeal-for-support-for-iran-hunger-strikers/

by: Committee for Defence of Iranian Peoples Rights August 6 2010



Hunger strikers in Iran's notorious Evin Prison, in the capital Tehran, are approaching their third week without food in protest at being transferred to solitary confinement, inhuman prison conditions and their violent treatment in prison.

In total 17 political prisoners have been on hunger strike since July 26. Those involved in the protest include student leader Abdullah Momeni, writer Keyvan Samimi and journalist Bahman Ahmadi Amooei.

On Wednesday this week, the tenth day of the hunger strike, relatives protested in front of the Office of the Prosecutor General in Tehran to demand the release of their loved ones and improved conditions for them. They carried photographs of the prisoners and posters demanding their release. Security forces attacked the gathering of the families and tried to disperse them. The security forces grabbed the posters, tore them and attacked the families. Some were beaten up.

Such action on the part of the security forces is part of the wider context of political repression in Iran since the June 12, 2009, presidential election. The crackdown on the opposition is reaching every area including political and religious groups.

According to confirmed reports, Hoda Saber, an activist of the National-Religious Movement, has been missing since July 24 and the security police and judiciary authorities of the regime in Iran have not yet taken responsibility for his arrest.

On July 25 the National-Religious website posted this news and wrote: "Hoda Saber, a National-Religious activist, has been missing since he left his workplace, most likely he has been abducted. He was summoned to prison three weeks ago on the phone to serve his sentence. However, his lawyer had contacted the court and requested to serve him a written summons. No written summons has yet been served."

FULL story at link.