Education International has been informed that Farzad Kamangar, the Iranian Kurdish teacher and social worker sentenced to death on “absolutely zero evidence” according to his lawyer, could be hanged on Wednesday 26 November 2008.
According to several reliable sources, he has been taken from his cell 121 in ward 209 of Tehran’s Evin prison in preparation for execution. Jail security officers are said to have told him he is about to be executed and they make fun of him, calling him a martyr.
The Revolutionary Court issued the death sentence against Kamangar on 25 February 2008. His lawyer has said: “Nothing in Kamangar’s judicial files and records demonstrates any links to the charges brought against him.” Kamangar was cleared of all charges during the investigation process. The last time Kamangar was seen, he was at the health clinic of Evin prison and his physical condition was poor. Witnesses testify that he has been beaten again. Kamangar has not been allowed to see his lawyer or family members for the past two months.
EI has been appealing the Iranian authorities to commute Kamangar’s death sentence and ensure his case is reviewed fairly. During the campaign, over 1,700 on-line messages were sent to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in support of Kamangar.
Now, EI is once again appealing to Iranian judicial authorities to halt the execution. EI is also asking members of the international community urgently to intervene.
Please go here to send an online message to the Iranian president to appeal for a review of the case of Farzad Kamangar. Every signature helps! Please do so today.
Plan B
If Education International’s web site is too busy, you can write directly to Iranian President Ahmadinejad at atdr-ahmadinejad@president.ir or info@leader.ir or info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (or all three!)
Sample Letter
Dear President Ahmadinejad,
I am writing to you on behalf of Education International (EI) to deplore the confirmation of the death sentence of teacher trade unionist, Farzad Kamangar. I support the campaigns of the Iranian Teachers’ Association and of EI to have his case re-examined through a fair trial that meets Iranian and international standards. I also urge the authorities to immediately commute Farzad Kamangar’s death sentence.
According to Mr Kamangar’s lawyer, there is no evidence to justify that he has “endangered national security” or is “Mohareb” (at enmity with God). I also deplore that Iranian trade union colleagues and human rights activists who show solidarity with Farzad are being subjected to pervasive intimidation by the Iranian authorities.
The harassment, detention and condemnation of trade unionists because of their legitimate human and trade union activities are not only serious violations of trade union rights, but also create an atmosphere of fear prejudicial to trade union development in Iran.
In addition, I deplore that Mr Kamangar has been tortured while in detention and was denied medical treatment. I urge the Iranian authorities to investigate into the reports of torture and to ensure that, in future, no detainee is tortured or ill-treated.
I look forward to hearing about your positive intervention in this regard.
Yours sincerely.
Go on. Write. What are you waiting for?
Paul S. Graham 
Dears,
Please see letter of Farhzad kamangir from prison.
He explains the filling of his students. I should say that he explains my filling when I was in elementary school. I was like one of student who he explains. I should say that Farhzad explains my filing better than myself. It is very rare that we consider or fill other emotions. Only the great writers could do that. I think Farzad Kamangir could be in future an exceptional writer. I hope that we keep him for our good; for our children good. Hopping that one day we can all understand others. Farzad Kamangir actually explains us, every one between us could be one of his students. Keep him for that; he canexplains us.
Somsebody finally understood us.
Please see:
http://www.changeforequality.info/spip.php?article1911