PROTECT STUDENT'S RIGHTS IN IRAN! FREE MAJID TAVAKKOLI from AI 7APR11

IRAN continues to brutally repress the human rights of it's citizens, punishment for political activism is either execution or long prison sentences guaranteeing physical and mental torture. Please participate in this call to action for Majid Tavakkoli......

Iranian authorities are threatening to tack outrageous charges onto Majid Tavokkoli's eight and a half year prison sentence because he supported student activism. Protect students' rights in Iran! Free Majid Tavakkoli!

		In 2009, hundreds of thousands of people in Iran took to the streets to protest disputed presidential election results. Majid Tavakkoli, a student leader, was one of the thousands who exercised his right to peaceful protest. He is now serving more than 8 years in prison for a speech that criticized the government. Now that protest movements calling for accountability and respect for human rights are sweeping through Tunisia, Egypt, and much of the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, we should remember the brave activists, like Majid Tavakkoli, who continue to speak out in Iran regardless of the potential consequences. Authorities may tack outrageous charges onto Majid's sentence for a letter he co-wrote while in prison praising fellow students for their peaceful activism. There are two very important steps we can take right now to help Majid and to ensure that students' rights to freedom of expression and association in Iran are protected:
		Send an email to the Head of the Judiciary in Iran: Urge him to free Majid Tavakkoli! Stand in solidarity with Majid and other prisoners of conscience during our virtual protest in Azadi Square in June by uploading a picture of yourself to Flickr. Without action, Iranian students will continue to face egregious forms of repression and human rights abuses. Iranian authorities will clamp down on students like Majid, who are opposed to their policies. Those who dare speak out will do so at great risk and with devastating consequences. But in Azadi Square, there's hope. Azadi Square holds a special place in Iran's history. It has been the site of countless demonstrations, including the largest post-election protest which was organized by students. In fact, 'Azadi' means freedom in Persian. That's why in June we're again turning Azadi Square into the main stage for both freedom and students' rights. Your actions are simple, but the effect can be incredible. Join us in Azadi Square. Speak out for Majid. Stand up for human rights. In Solidarity, Michael O' Reilly Senior Campaign Director, Individuals at Risk Amnesty International USA Share on Facebook Share on Twitter