Press Release
International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR)
From Sam Azad, IFIR Regional Organiser
Tel: +44 (0)7929917756 / +44 (0)7739378177
30 May 2003

Abas Amini ends hunger strike

Today, May 30, 2003 at 11:00am, Abas Amini ended his dry hunger strike and had the stitches removed from his mouth during a press conference held in front of Green's Mill, Windmill Lane in Sneinton, Nottingham near his home.

While deciding to end his hunger strike, Abas Amini said: 'Removing the stitches from my lips is not a sign of surrender; I want to live in order to continue the struggle'. Abas was too weak to speak in depth about his decision at the press conference.

Sam Azad, Regional Organiser of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR) and spokesperson for Abas stated: 'Abas Amini's hunger strike was not for himself alone but for all asylum seekers and against the atrocities committed by the Islamic regime in Iran and political Islam.' He went on to say: 'Abas stopped his protest to seek further ways and means to continue the fight for asylum rights and to bring about at least some human standards to this world.'

Maryam Namazie, the IFIR's Executive Director then spoke, saying: 'one may not condone Abas Amini's hunger strike and actions just as the International Federation of Iranian Refugees does not support any actions that are harmful to human beings but it is important to understand why Abas did what he did; it is important to defend his legitimate demands and unequivocally hold the UK government responsible for his situation and that of countless others.'

Abas Amini's personal story is an indictment of the UK government's asylum policy that is not only inept and insensitive towards asylum seekers but also criminalises, refuses and deports them and builds fortresses rather than giving refuge to those fleeing persecution. Moreover, his story is an indictment of the UK government's relationship with the Islamic regime of Iran at the expense of its victims and survivors. While Abas' case reveals the brutality and tragedy in the situation of asylum seekers, it at the same time reveals the depths of human support and solidarity for Abas' right to live and asylum as well as for innumerable others.
 
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Sam Azad, IFIR Regional Organiser