In support Iraj Ghahremani

First Report

1- A press release has been sent to several media; TVs, Radios, Newspapers, MPs., Organisations, individuals plus to Immigration in Ottawa.

2- Radio Shabaneh, Ramin Mahjori announced the news and did interviewed with Fahime Sadeghi On Sunday

3- From 8:am to 9:30 gathered @ Immigration. Fahime S. along Ramin M. went up to 7th& 16th floor. They Found out that, Iraj he will have hearing tomorrow, on Tuesday @10:30.
WE MUST GATHER THERE AGAIN TOMORROW

4- WE WENT TO MOBINA JAFAR'S OFFICE (Senator) ON KINGSWAY AND WE TALKED TO HER SECRETRY AND sent a brief story of Iraj.



5-Today Fahime had a interview with CBC RADIO also, she will have another, tomorrow by 7:30 am at their studio.
She also, was on the air (with Radio Salam-coop radio)

6- following our press, North Vancouver’s MP has sent 2 letters to Immigration regarding Iraj’s case.

5- WE HAVE BEEN supported by No One Is Illegal, all day their members were with us.

6- NOII, HELPED us TO FIND A LAWYER, With the amount of $400. HE WILL CHARGE us later.
The lawyer will be there at hearing, tomorrow.

AND THERE MUST BE AT LEAST 2000 DOLLARS FOR DEPOSITE IF WE WANT TO TAKE HIM OUT OF THE JAILE.

Iraj Ghahremani’s hearing Court on Tuesday Feb6th @ 10:30 am.
IMMIGRATION 300 WEST GORGIA,
WE MEET HIS LAWYER.
DON'T FOR GET TOMORROW TUESDAY FEB 06 10:30 AM
PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE TRY TO BE THERE!

Remember we together have done before, Hopfuly we will stop Iraj's diportation too.
Fahimeh Sadeghi,
International Federation of Iranian Refugee!
Feb5th.
URGENT -- PHONE, FAX, EMAIL CAMPAIGN in SUPPORT of IRAJ GHAHRAMANI
------------------------------------------------------------------

Urgent support is needed for Iraj Ghahramani, an elder Iranian Man who was detained by Citizenship and Immigration Canada on Feb. 2nd 2007. He is facing imminent deportation and government officials need to be pressured to stop his deportation.

We are requesting that as many supporters (organizations and individuals) as possible either phone, fax or email the the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship Canada and Iraj's local Member of Parliament as soon as possible.

(contact information, backgrounder and sample letter below)

Please ask as many friends, family or co-workers to support.

Iraj has been one of the most active supporters of other refugee claimants facing deportation and was one of the most committed participants in the January 2005 Hunger Strike for Ali Reza Monemi.

NOW, HE NEEDS OUR SUPPORT.

-------------------------------------------------------------

====>> PHONE / FAX / EMAIL <<====

SAMPLE LETTER INCLUDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS
EMAIL


Diane Finley, Minister of Immigration and Citizenship
Canada

Ottawa Telephone: (613) 996-4974
Ottawa Fax: (613) 996-9749
Constituency Office Telephone: (519)
426-3400
Constituency Office Fax: (519) 426-0003

Email: minister@cic.gc.ca and Finley.D@parl.gc.ca

** Ask Minister Finley to use her discretionary power to set aside his deportation order and allow him to receive a decision from pending applications he has made to obtain Permanent Resident Status.

Don Bell, Member of Parliament from North Vancouver (Iraj's Local MP)

Constituency Office Telephone: (604) 775-6333
Constituency Office Fax: (604) 775-6332
Ottawa Telephone: (613) 995-1225
Ottawa Fax: (613) 992-7319

Email: Bell.D@parl.gc.ca

** Ask Mr. Bell to intervene in Iraj's case and encourage the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship to stay Iraj's deportation. Local Ministers have provided such
support in many such cases in the past.

===========================================================

Background


Iraj Ghahramani is a famous comedic entertainer in the Iranian community around Greater Vancouver Area. He is very well known and loved by the community and has been a featured performer at Iranian New Years Festivities in the Vancouver area for the past 6 years. He has lived in Canada for the last 7 years, has family here in Vancouver and has been married to a Canadian Citizen for close to 3 years.

The International Federation of Iranian Refugees in Vancouver is gravely concerned for his safety in case of his deportation to Iran where he was detained for extended periods of time by government authorities before fleeing to seek asylum here in Canada. Iraj is increasingly concerned about his safety if he is deported because of his very public
performances (often with extensive media coverage) at New Years Celebrations and cultural performances that are condemned by the Iranian Government.

Iraj was arrested by the immigration officers when he reported to CIC Offices expecting the results of his Application based on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds. He has been detained since February 2nd 2007.


For more information
contact:

International Federation of Iranian Refugees: (604) 727-8986
fahimehs@hotmail.com

No One Is Illegal - Vancouver: (778) 552 2099 /
noii-van@resist.ca


============================================================

Sample Letter Below
(Please send a copy of your letter to noii-van@resist.ca)

============================================================

Federal Immigration Minister Diane Finley
Ottawa Telephone: (613) 996-4974
Ottawa Fax: (613) 996-9749
Constituency Office Telephone: (519) 426-3400
Constituency Office Fax: (519) 426-0003
Email: minister@cic.gc.ca and Finley.D@parl.gc.ca

Dear Minister Finley,

I am writing to express my concern about the imminent deportation of Iraj Ghahramani, a 60 year old, much loved member of the Iranian Community in the Greater Vancouver Area. I am writing to ask that you use your ministerial discretion to set aside his deportation order and grant him Permanent Residency Status based on his Humanitarian and Compassionate Application. Mr. Ghahramani has been living North Vancouver as a valuable member of that community for approximately 7 years.

He has been married to a Canadian Citizen for 3 years and has many other family members living in the Greater Vancouver Area. He is also a famous comedic entertainer and has contributed greatly to the rich and diverse culture of the Iranian community and North Vancouver. I am particularly concerned knowing that an individual that is so loved and is such a great contributor to our culture will be taken away from his wife, family and community.

Furthermore, Mr. Ghahramani's safety and security is of great concern to me in the event that he is deported from Canada. He was arrested, harassed and targeted by the Iranian Government before he left the country to seek asylum in Canada. Furthermore, because of his active participation in cultural activities that are condemned by Iranian government, it seems certain that such a public figure who has consistently appeared in the media will not be safe returning to Iran.

I request that you take Mr. Ghahramani's case into serious consideration and please respond to this appeal by stopping Mr. Ghahramani's deportation so that he can obtain Permanent Residency Status in Canada.


Signed,

(Please include your name, address, affiliation and/or title as well as the date).