Urgent Action

International Federation of Iranian Refugees (IFIR)

April 5, 2001

Iranian Asylum Seekers on Trial in Athens

For over three weeks, a group of Iranian asylum seekers have been staging a sit-in at the UNHCR in Athens, Greece demanding resettlement to a safe third country. During their sit-in, the Greek police have subjected them to a barrage of intimidation and harassment in order to break their resolve and protest. Finally, on April 4, the police attacked the protesters and arrested 13.

The detainees are accused of "disrupting public order" and will be tried in court. It is expected that they will be found guilty and sentenced to prison terms. Such measures are in direct contravention of the right to expression and protest.

The IFIR strongly condemns the Greek authority's abuse of refugee rights and the UNHCR's inaction in the face of such violations. IFIR calls on all concerned individuals, progressive organisations and institutions to condemn the Greek government's action, demand the immediate release of the 13 imprisoned, and demand their transfer to safe third country by the UNHCR.

Please send your protest letters to the following addresses:

Greek Prime Minister's Office: mail@primeminister.gr

The Greek Mission to the UN: mission.greece@itu.ch

The UNHCR Office in Greece: great@unhcr.ch

UNHCR Headquarters: HQAO00@unhcr.ch