International Federation of Iranian Refugees-

Refugee Women’s Project

12 February 2004

________________________________________

Campaign to save the lives of two refugee women is continuing

Nazila and Farideh have continued their sit-in strike at the office of the Human Rights Organization in Ankara- Turkey

Farideh Asadi and Nazila Mohammed Hasani Zaman are two refugee women who started their sit-in strike in front of the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in September 2003. They were arrested several times by the Turkish police and each time with the corporation of the UNHCR in Turkey. Since they weren’t able to continue their action in front of the UNHCR, they have decided to continue their sit-in in the office of Human Rights Organization in Ankara. Farideh and Nazila and their activities for women’s rights are well known among the Human Rights and Women’s Right organizations including the Human Rights Organization and they are supported continuously by these organizations.

IFIR has initiated an international campaign to save Nazila and Farideh and through this campaign hundreds of individuals and women’s rights organizations all around the world have sent protest letters to the UNHCR and have urged them to grant asylum to Farideh and Nazila.

The Islamic regime of Iran is known worldwide for its misogynist laws and women’s rights abuse. This regime has been continuously condemned by the world community for its violation of women’s rights. The most recent case was a resolution that was passed by UN on 22 of December 2003 in which the General Assembly of the United Nations approved a resolution regarding the human rights situation in Iran and expressed their concern regarding violations of human rights in Iran.

Despite the above fact regarding the situation in Iran, the danger that Nazila and Farideh will face if they are returned to Iran and also their critical situation and that of their children, UNHCR still hasn’t taken any steps to re-open Nazila and Farideh’s case files.

Farideh and Nazila are determined to fight for their rights; just as they did when in Iran. They are fighting for a life worthy of human beings. They know that they are not alone in this fight; they are supported by many individuals and organizations that are concerned about freedom and women’s rights.

Support this campaign.

Recommended actions:

· Write to the UNHCR and urge them to offer Nazila and Farideh protection and grant them recognition as refugees. Please send your letters to the UNHCR Geneva as well as the UNHCR office in Turkey. Please remember to send a copy of your letters to our organization as well. A sample letter is provided for your covenience.

· Sign a petition to support Nazila and Farideh at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/ifirwpnf/petition.html

UNHCR Turkey – Ankara

Address: Sancak Mah., 12. Cadde 212 Sokak   No.3

06550 Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey

E-mail: behr@unhcr.ch

turan@unhcr.ch

corabati@unhcr.ch

khanhu@unhcr.ch

Tel: +90 312-4411696

Fax: +90 312-4412173

Cc: UNHCR Geneva

Address: UNHCR, HQPRO 2, Case Postal 2500

CH-1211 Geneva 2 Depot

Switzerland

Fax: +41-22-739-7353

E-mail: Hqpr00@Unhcr.Ch

Cc: ifirwomen@yahoo.com

To Whom It May Concern:

I / My Organization am / is writing to express my strongest concern over the lives of Nazila Mohamad Hasani Zamani (Case No: M-7217) and Farideh Asadi (Case No: J-1402). Nazila and Farideh are women’s rights activists and political opponents, which will face serious persecution if returned to Iran.

I / My organization urge(s) the UNHCR to re-open their closed case files and grant them refugee recognition immediately. UNHCR is accountable for Nazila and Farideh's life and their children’.

Signature

Name

Organization

Cc: UNHCR Geneva

IFIR-Refugee Women’ Project