By Jennifer Thompson
A May 25 announcement by the Netherlands Justice Ministry of a plan to arbitrarily deport more than 4000 Iranian asylum seekers by declaring Iran a "safe" country has received an angry response from the Council of Iranian Refugees and Immigrants.
Amnesty International's (AI) 1996 report outlines many cases of political arrests, torture, unfair trials and at least 47 summary executions in Iran. As well as the arrest of followers of individual religious critics of the government and members of religions other than Shia Islam, prisoners included members of political and armed opposition groups.
Political prisoners serving long terms after unfair trials include members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, followers of Dr Ali Shari'ati, members of the Tudeh (communist) Party, supporters of Kurdish organisations and members of groups representing ethnic minorities.
Cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments, including flogging and amputation. In September, a bride and her sister were reportedly sentenced to 85 and 75 lashes respectively for dancing with men at the wedding, and 127 guests were sentenced to between 20 and 85 lashes or fines.
The Sydney Council of the Federation of Iranian Refugees and Immigrants has organised a five-hour sit-in at the Netherlands Consulate-General, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, on Thursday, June 27 from 9 am. It also urges organisations to send protest letters to Mr R.R. Smit, Netherlands Ambassador (fax 06 273 3206) or Mr E.W.P. Klipp, Netherlands Consul-General (fax 02 387 3962).