GLOBALPEACE&JUSTICE AUCKLAND
Private Bag 68905, Newton,Auckland. www.gpja.org.nz

1 September 2007

Ali Panah returned to hospital

Day 51 of hunger strike

A protest will take place from 1pm to 2pm outside Auckland Hospital in Park Road today.

Iranian hunger striker Ali Panah was returned to hospital this week from Mt Eden Prison. He is now on Day 51 of his hunger strike and fears are rising for the state of his health.

Ali began taking liquid mineral supplements while in hospital last week on the strong advice of doctors but is refusing solid food. (The mineral supplements, while having little food value will help prevent some of the physical damage from a prolonged period without food)

Visitors late in the week report Ali as becoming increasingly weak but remaining strong in spirit.

GPJA continues to argue alongside Amnesty International for the government to issue a temporary visa to Ali until it is safe for him to return to Iran. Anything less is unacceptable.

Government silence deafening
Meanwhile we are all waiting for a response from Minister of Immigration David Cunliffe. Cunliffe has had 18 months do the decent, humane thing. The government claims Ali has had the full benefit of appeals to remain in New Zealand. However this ignores the fact that his life is in danger if he return to Iran. Likewise return to any other country would mean swift return to Iran in any case. The government has also tried to discredit Ali by saying he is not a true Christian convert. Ali is a committed Christian as attested by his church vicar and parishioners.

Background
Ali is an Iranian who arrived here several years ago and applied for refugee status. He had converted to Christianity when in South Korea and sent a video of his baptism to his mother. The video was intercepted by Iranian customs and referred to Iranian authorities. In his absence he was sentenced to death for apostasy (conversion from Islam to Christianity). On his return to Iran he will be able to challenge the sentence but at best his life is at threat should Cunliffe force his return to Iran. Ali’s was arrested over 18 months ago and detained at Mt Eden Prison to be deported. However for his own safety he has refused to sign papers applying for an Iranian passport.

Ali has the strong support of his New Zealand employer, his Anglican vicar and fellow parishioners as well as the Iranian community 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. Minister of Immigration David Cunliffe has so far refused to use his discretion under the Immigration Act to do this.

ends

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