Help Secure the Release of a Canadian Resident Jailed in Iran

Help Secure the Release of a Canadian Resident Jailed in Iran

Started
January 29, 2016
Petition Closed
This petition had 45 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by maryam malekpour

My brother Saeed Malekpour, a Canadian resident, is imprisoned in Iran on trumped up charges of moderating pornographic websites. Please sign this petition calling on Canada's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to secure Saeed's release by intervening on his behalf to the government of Iran. He is a political hostage and Iranian authorities will only release him with the right amount of diplomatic pressure.

Saeed, an engineer and freelance web developer, has been in prison since 2008, when Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps agents kidnapped him. The only evidence Iranian authorities have ever presented to convict him were forced confessions he gave under brutal physical and psychological torture.

Recently, Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis and actress Nazanin Boniadi signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to secure Saeed's release. Now you can join in the efforts for Saeed's freedom by signing this petition. 

Thank you for your love and support,

Maryam Malekpour

We, the undersigned, draw the attention of Canada's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to the following:

THAT Saeed Malekpour, a Permanent Resident of Canada, is unlawfully imprisoned in the Islamic Republic of Iran since October 2008.

THAT Saeed Malekpour, a Permanent Resident of Canada, immigrated to Canada in 2004 and was awaiting Canadian citizenship when he returned to Iran in October 2008 to visit his fatally ill father and was arrested by Iranian authorities on trumped up charges of moderating pornographic websites.

THAT Saeed Malekpour was forced to give televised confessions after enduring repeated torture by the Revolutionary Guard interrogators.

THAT Saeed Malekpour was sentenced to death twice by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court based solely on the confessions he gave under torture.

THAT the forced confessions are the sole evidence that has ever been presented in Iranian courts against Saeed Malekpour to justify the charges against him.

THAT Saeed Malekpour was held in Evin Prison for the first two years without charge.

THAT Saeed Malekpour has never been given adequate access to a lawyer or the right to view his case file.

THAT Saeed Malekpour has been physically and psychologically tortured throughout his imprisonment and also denied a fair trial.

THAT Saeed Malekpour lived with the fear of imminent execution for five years before his death sentence was commuted to life in prison.

THAT Saeed Malekpour has spent the majority of his imprisonment in a solitary confinement ward in Evin Prison that does not fall under prison jurisdiction and is in full control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Saeed Malekpour’s basic prisoner rights were completely violated in this ward.

THAT Iranian authorities continue to hold Saeed Malekpour in prison without any evidence against him other than forced confessions.

THAT Saeed Malekpour’s basic prisoner rights continue to be denied and violated.

THAT the imprisonment of Saeed Malekpour serves as an insult to any Canadian’s sense of justice.

THAT opening up relations with the government of Iran when no arrangements have been made for Saeed Malekpour’s release would place Canadian values at stake.

THAT human rights, namely the situation and wellbeing of Canada-linked prisoners like Saeed Malekpour and Mostafa Azizi, must be at the forefront of any talks between the government of Canada and the government of Iran.

THEREFORE, signatories of this petition call upon Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Stephane Dion to secure Saeed Malekpour's immediate release from prison by intervening on his behalf to the government of Iran.

Petition Closed

This petition had 45 supporters

Share this petition

Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code