Day 31 Of Hunger Strike - Ali Panah Weak And Confused

There is an emergency protest outside Auckland Hospital in Grafton Road from 12 noon to 1pm tomorrow (Sunday) to highlight the plight of Ali Panah and call on the government to act on his behalf. Ali's situation is becoming desperate. Background:

Iranian Ali Panah is on the 30th Day of a hunger strike in protest at his detention without trial or charge for the past 18 months. He was transferred from Mt Eden prison to Auckland hospital last week. He is refusing all food as well as a drip and is taking water only. He is weak, becoming emaciated and confused.

On Thursday the government offered to release him on bail provided he agreed to leave the country within 6 weeks. Ali has refused once more because it is not safe for him to return to Iran. As a christian convert (before he came to NZ) his life would be in danger.

Ali has the support of his New Zealand employer, his Anglican vicar and parish as well as the Iranian community living in New Zealand.

Amnesty International says that in cases like this the government should issue a temporary visa until it is safe for Ali to return to Iran. David Cunliffe is refusing to use his discretion under the Immigration Act to do this.

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