Iranian Revolution: update

• Published on 16/02/2010

AI Australia NSW Branch Committee Vice-President Gabe Kavanagh & Sara Haghdoosti, organiser of the Iran Solidarity Vigil, June 2009 © James Fehon

Thursday 11 February, 2010, marked the thirty-first anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The Islamic Revolution brought about the demise of the oppressive, autocratic regime of the Shah and transformed Iran into a theocratic Islamist state. The Revolution was a time of heroism, but its outcome threw Iran into extreme social, political and economic disarray. Human rights violations have been prevalent, where the government has seized activists protesting against the government and demanding the right to the freedom of expression through peaceful demonstrations.

Amnesty International Australia (AIA) worked to help ensure demonstrations within Australia were peaceful, supporting local Iranian communities around the country, in the name of non-violence. AIA prepared a crisis response in case of civil unrest, in reaction to the situation in Iran, in the event, however, no severe uprisings were reported.

Local Iranian activists in New South Wales organised a series of solidarity events, mainly in the Sydney and Canberra regions. Last Thursday, 11 February, The Sydney Candlelight Vigil took place outside Town Hall in Sydney. The vigil promoted the ‘Free Iran Project’, commemorating the lives lost in the recent Iranian uprising in their struggle for democracy. Activists from various groups in New South Wales joined with local Iranian people, forming a powerful crowd, demanding human rights protection.

Iranian mothers throughout New South Wales were willing to become involved in the Free Iran Project and contacted Amnesty Supporter Relations to nominate themselves as volunteers for the events in Canberra. They showed a lot of enthusiasm in highlighting the situation in Iran. They spoke of the devastating events that were occurring in Iran, expressing their concern about human rights violations, particularly the right to freedom of expression. The regional events focused on calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners, demanding a fair trial without recourse to the death penalty.

Comments

Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact us.

Page 1 of 1 pages

nsw News