Urgent Alert: Demonstration to support Abas Amini

Wednesday May 28th 2003

50 Sneinton Dale

Sneinton

Nottinghamshire

Assemble at 9.30am

Called by: Federation of Iranian Refugees / Nottingham Refugee Campaign Group/Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum

We are calling this demonstration in support of Abas Amini. Mr. Amini is a 33 year old Iranian who arrived in the UK in August 2001. After initially being turned down for asylum, and after four court adjournments, he was eventually able to appeal to the adjudicator on March 24th 2003. Six weeks later, he was informed that he had been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK [i.e. full refugee status].

The Home Office who were not represented at the adjudication then decided to contest the decision. As yet no decision has been made on the Home Office's appeal against the granting of Indefinite Leave to Remain.

However, because of his fear of return to Iran and his anger at the Home Office's indifference to the weight of evidence supporting his asylum case, Mr Amini took the decision to go on hunger strike on Tuesday 20th May. Since then Mr Amini has been taking only very occasional fluids. Mr Amini also decided to sew up his lips, eyes and ears in an agonising protest. This is the second time Mr. Amini has been on hunger strike since arriving in the UK.

Friends of Mr Amini are desperately worried that this unnecessary move by the Home Office may result in serious, possibly irreparable harm, or even death.

Between the ages of 13 and 33 Mr Amini spent 6 years in an Iranian prison, for his political beliefs and protests, including the writing of poetry critical of the government. During this time he suffered long periods in solitary confinement, beatings, including falaka - beatings on the soles of his feet, suspension of various kinds, mock executions and other forms of physical and mental ill-treatment. During his last period in prison, he was able to escape after a guard was bribed.

Medical opinion supports Mr Amini's account of torture in Iran and recognises the psychological pain he continues to suffer.

For further information, contact Federation of Iranian Refugees' Regional Organiser Sam Azad:: 07957430990 or Reza Moradi at 07730846433.