Tag Archives: delara darabi

URGENT ACTION CALL: Delara Darabi one step closer to execution…

20 year old painter Delara Darabi with broken fingers, broken heart needs your urgent help.

Her appeal was denied and now her life and death decision is in the hands of one man: Ayatollah Shahroudi  (Iran’s head of judiciary)

Details in next SCE post coming soon.

Source: Delara’s lawyer, family and Etemaad Newspaper 

Please sign these three petitions as soon as possible if you haven’t yet:

http://www.petitiononline.com/DL2222/petition.html

http://www.petitiononline.com/sce/

 http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=9

Send your appeals to :

Head of the Judiciary,
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Justice Ministry BLDG. – Panzdah-Khordad (ARK) Sq.
Tehran.  Iran.
Phone: [00 98 21] 391 1109
Fax: [00 98 21] 390 4986
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir
(In the email subject line write:
URGENT LETTER TO AYATOLLAH HASHEMI SHAHROUDI )
Comment box through his website:
http://iranjudiciary.org/contactus-feedback-fa.html
(The fields are written in Persian. The first line is for your name, 2nd your email, 3rd the subject which should read ‘URGENT LETTER TO AYATOLLAH HASHEMI SHAHROUDI’ and 4th field is for your comments)
 

Leader of the Islamic Republic,
His Excellency, Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader,
Shahid Keshvar Doost St.
Tehran.  Iran.
Phone: [00 98 21]  64411
Fax: [00 98 251] 7774 2228
(Mark as: “FAO the Office of His Excellency, Ayatollah Khamenei
Email: istiftaa@wilayah.org
Email via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/EN/index.php?p=sendletter
Salutation: Your Excellency

OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP:

  • Contact everyone you know and ask them to sign the petitions

  • Post the link to this site on blogs, Internet Forums and Chat rooms.
    Also See Link To Us

  • Write personal letters to the UN and ask them to put pressure on the Iranian Officials to stop the executions of those who have allegedly committed an offence before the age of 18.

    • UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon and
      UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Louise Arbour at:
      Petitions Team
      Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
      United Nations Office at Geneva
      1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
      Fax: 41 22 917 9022
      (particularly for urgent matters)
      E-mail: tb-petitions@ohchr.org

Delara Darabi Update

We have been receiving few inquiries from the concerned Delara Darabi campaign supporters about recent news and the mass emails that were distributed claiming that :”In the past two days, Delara has been severely beaten in prison by both the prisoners and the prison guards. Prison authorities have confirmed that Delara’s body bears severe signs of beatings and abuse. “

In a phone conversation with SCE campaign Mr. Khoramshahi, Delara’s attorney stated that “throughout her jail time she has often been harrassed and beaten by other prisoners.”. He did not make any reference to any reports of being beaten by “prison guards”. According to Delara’s sister , her father “just visited Delara and there were no reports of her being severly beaten in the last couple of days.”

The same article claimed that ” Amir Hussain, the young boy who was imprisoned on charges of having assisted Delara during the murder, was allowed to leave the prison on official leave. While on leave, Amir Hussain threatened to kill Delara’s family and vowed to create significant “problems” for them if Delara is exonerated. “

Both Delara’s sister and lawyer stated that although they occasionally receive threatening phone calls but they have no confirmation as to who makes such phone calls. According to Delara’s sister the past calls were “not by Amir Hossein”. It should be noted that in the event Delara is exonerated Amir Hossein may face death penalty.

We continue to encourage others to state the source of published news for readers, so they can independently verify the news than having to resort to contacting SCE for verifications. Additionally SCE campaign continues to encourage more responsible reporting of the information by others, as such “sensationalism” result in unnecessary additional distress on Delara’s family and supporters.

UK Sunday Mirror story on Delara Darabi

London Sunday Mirror with over 4 million readership has published a “double page spread on the centre pages” on Delara Darabi today. Stop Child Executions Campaign made the arrangement for the newspaper interview with Delara Darbi’s father. We also appreciate amnesty international’s (UK) assitance in making this newspaper coverage possible.   You can read the article here.

Painting of Delara 3 years before imprisonment

This is one of Delara Darbi’s paintings made 3 years prior to her imprisonment, or in her own words before she lost her colors. An exhibition of her paintings titled FREEDOM OF COLORS will be held in Amsterdam on April 28, 2007 . For location information you may visit: Pahuis dezwijger.nl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy: Shahrzanews.org

Delara's file sent for review

According to Etemaad Newspaper in Iran, yesterday Delara Darabi’s father sent a letter to Ayatollah Shahrudi head of judiciary and requested transfer of her daughter from city of Rasht to Tehran. In the letter he added: ” My daughters is in a bad emotional state. She takes about 15 anxiety pills a day and still she is a bad state. Instead of studying at school and only because of a doubted accusation my daughter has spent three years in prison. For the past three years, at nights Delara sees the shadow of the execution rope on her neck. As a painter and artist, for Delara this is so difficult to endure.”

Delara Darabi’s father

Abdolsamad Khormashahi, Delara’s attorney also re-verified to Etemaad  : ” The attempts to transfer Delara from Rasht to Tehran has begun. She is not in a good emotional state and I hope the head of judiciary approves her transfer.” As for Delara’s most recent file status he said: ” Per my request, the file was transferred on April 5th from head of judiciary to the review division.”.  ” There are evidences in the file to prove Delara’s innocence and I am confident those will be noticed by the honorable judges of the review division and those judges who reside at the offices of the head of judiciary.” He added.
Mr. Khoramshahi stressed to the Etemaad reporter that the published rumors about Delara’s execution order are false as her file has not even been reviewed yet.
Last week in a phone conversation he also denied False rumors and stated that it will probably be few months before Delara’s case is determined.

Beneath the Veil

By : Hazel Sawyer (UK)
Few months ago Delara Darabi became a part of my life as did Nazanin Fatehi. They impacted my life so much that my studies started to slip. I was so anxious to somehow help save these young women and the other children on death row. I then asked for permission to use the information within both Nazanin and Delara s myspace sites to make an artwork. I used some of the quotes that people had written to Delara as an inspirations for my art. I have made this for my studies in college, but I have created it mainly to help gain Delara’s freedom and to share it with those who may not know about her and other children on the death row.
When I display my work I intend to have a petition for people’s signatures and comments to to be added to Delara s and Stop Child Executions petitions and to be displayed on both websites.

Dedicated to Delara Darabi and the other minors on death row

Delara is an artist among other gifted talents. Being an artist myself, I felt very deeply for Delara I chose to do my instillation in mainly black and white, taking the colours away as they had done to Delara from the age of 17 when she was imprisoned , knowing it must be a cruel painful experience in itself

The head bearing scars from the casting choosing to leave them rather than remove them, to signify the scars these children suffer both emotionally and physically.
I cast a rope (in iron) in the shape of a noose to represent the children being hung. Which is held in one hand.
I cast a rib (in iron) to represents the belief that woman came from a man s rib, not from his feet to be walked on, not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal, under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved. (quote)
The circular weight around the neck (in plaster) is a cast taken from crepe paper, its texture effect is a symbol of ripples that effect all of us, it has a similarity to a millstone, which have in some places become symbols dedicated to victims of abuse, as a tribute to their survival. Government of Iran has signed international laws stating no executions under the age of 18 and the people of Iran also believe in those laws but the government is not abiding by them.
The black cloth reflects the darkness in these children’s lives and the things that are being covered up and kept quite.
The olive branch that the figure is resting its head against is not only a symbol of peace, but also to give them strength.
The stone s placed around the circle have blood upon them; represent the suffering of women who have been stones to death because of their lack of human rights.
 
I cast a plaque with chain link upon it (in iron) . This is a welded chain which is held in the hands. The plaque is fixed heavily to the floor which represents the weight of the chains that have controlled these women and children, which must be broken to give back the colours to Delara. That is why the hands I cast (in plaster) are in colour.
We can help Delara get her colours back as long as we do not turn our back s as so many do. In the background there will be cast s of 3 human back s these will represent the many who have turned their backs and how easy it is for us to just to turn away, it is up to us to stand and view my art think of what it is trying to tell you.
You then have the choice to turn your back and walk away or think about the art and try to help by signing the petition and doing anything else possible to stop these women and children losing their lives.
Please sign the petitions to Save Delara Darabi and to stop the execution of Children in Iran
Hazel Sawyer

Updates about Delara, Reza and Nazanin

Nazanin Afshin-Jam talked to Nazanin Fatehi and her attorney today and here are some updates: 

Delara Darabi:  She was hit by inmate(s) as she is very fragile and at times some inmates try to bully her. 

Mr. Mostafaei, the attorney for Nazanin Fatehi and Reza Ali-Nejad also now is helping Delara’s attorney with Delara’s case.

Reza Alinejad:  Mr. Mostafei is still waiting for verification of receipt of file by Ayatollah Shahroudi, the head of judiciary before he can file the appeal formally.

Nazanin Fatehi: Nazanin is in good spirit and now that the Persian new year holidays are over, anticipate stating school soon. Mr. Mostafaei is still waiting for the official order of payment of Dieh “blood money” before he can file for an appeal. It is anticipated that the amount requested to be based on the new figure of apx. $35,000 USD.

Delara being prepared to be hanged is a FALSE RUMOR

We have been asked about yet another rumor published in a website and blog that :

“Officials in Rasht “preparing to Hang Delara Darabi“. The articles have concluded that the “this matter is extremely urgent and requires your immediate attention.” 

DELARA DARABI IS NOT BEING PREPARED TO BE HANGED AND HER EXECUTION IS NOT IMMINENT. For accurate information please refer to the closing statments of Delara’s attorney yesterday as reported by SCE campaign from Etemaad newspaper. 

In Januray 21, 2007 the same blog and in other websites also falsely reported that Delara Darabi “In Jail takes own life”. The statement also reported that “the appellate court planned on vacating her sentence. Unfortunately, the authorities in  Rasht had limited Delara to only 2 phone calls per month, including calls to her attorney.  As such, Delara did not know that she was about to be free from jail.” ….The report went to the extent of claiming that “An autopsy has been scheduled for Delara.”. Obviously the rumor of Delara’s death and planned freedom was also false.

On March 20th we also had to report the false rumor of Reza Alinejad’s execution on April 1st, 2007 (3 days ago!) published by the same person. 

As stated previously:  We will continue our practice of verifying the news before reporting them as well as always providing the source of the news. We also ask the readers to verify and ask for source of the any rumors they read before assuming them as factual and passing them to others as accurate information. Such false rumors at times can have serious consequences for the prisoners, their family and the campaign supporters.

Delara's painting exhibition: April 28, 2007 Amsterdam

An exhibition of Delara Darabi’s paintings will be held in Amsterdam on April 28th, 2007. The exhibition was sponsored by Amnesty International, “Culture factory” and Shahrzad News. During the exhibition there will also be some presentations about issues such as Freedom of speech, executions in Iran and Iranian women rights.  Exhibition title is Freedom of Colors. For more information about Exhibition and it’s address please visit here

 

  Top: Delara’s family being photographed in Tehran exhibition    Bottom: Ambassadors of France and Switzerland

Last fall a similar exhibition titled “prisoner of colors” was held in Tehran. 

In a letter written by Delara which was presented at the Tehran exhibition last year, she wrote:

“Do you know what a prisoner of colors mean? It means me.  I, whom from the age of 4 had my life divided by colors and on the onset of my 17th birthday lost them. I depicted grimy red for cobalt blue and sprayed gray to fill the sky.  And now the only image that unfolds everyday in front of my eyes is the face of a wall.  I, Delara Darabi, 20 years old, convicted of murder, sentenced to death, for the past three years have been defending myself with colors, forms and expressions. These paintings are the sworn witnesses to an uncommitted crime….that the colors may return my life back. From behind the walls I say hello and welcome to you who have come to see my paintings. “

“For the past three years I have analyzed and turned around myself, in the corner of an accusation.  I need greatness not pity nor forgiveness…except from my God.  I know this story has to be resolved with a pardon and I know that my three years of struggle for attaining my rights and my innocence to be heard is not getting anywhere, but let’s Pass…

An imprisoned man once said: “My only claims are my calls to God from my small prison, and my answers to God in the vast filed of freedom within these four walls.”

I believe creations flourish within our human, social, financial or spiritual bottlenecks and it is only after the sense of drowning that the struggles begin. I too have not been exempt from this rule .

“The collection in front of you, is a collection of my love and happiness presented to your eyes and to see Delara’s spirit with no judgments and no prejudice!” “I do not know from which path of this land you have come to see my paintings. After all it does not matter much for I know that your true guide has been “love”.  Love of life, humanity and faith, which is the belief in them all … These paintings show that even in darkness one does not have to be prisoner of own hopes.  It is not important where we are …God’s love is always with us …and his promise of truth.” “….Pray for all Delara’s in the faraway lands.” Delara Darabi Rasht Prison Fall 2006 

 

  Source: Shahrzad News, Varesh blog by Asieh Amini, BBC News, Pakhuis Dezwijger 

Delara Darabi unanticipated file transfer to head of judiciary causes concern

Yesterday Delara Darabi’s file was transferred from the city of Rasht to Ayatollah Shahroudi, the head of judiciary of Islamic Republic of Iran and if the verdict is approved by him she could be executed; Iranian newspaper Etemaad reported today.

Delara’s attorney, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi told the Etemaad reporter: ” I had asked the review division to examine the case but Unfortunately, I do not understand why the file was sent to Ayatollah Shahroudi to obtain his approval of the execution. Of course no officials have notified me of this matter. Regrettably there are many deficiencies in this file that have not been addressed. I must say that I made my appeal and review request within the legally allowed time limits. I have frequently requested a re-enactment of the crime scene because this can clear many ambiguities and prove Delara’s innocence, but I do not know why this has never been done.”

Khoramshahi said: ” Delara’s mental and physical conditions is not good. She was imprisoned in her youth and because of being an artist she does not have much tolerance for prison. They have given her painting tools which has somewhat helped her situation but overall she is in a very fragile mental situation and this has been the cause of many of physical illnesses. She has lost much weight and her condition is not describable. That is why once in prison she attempted to commit suicide.”

“I am anticipating that the division of appeals would consider the deficiencies and to request the file back but I must also add that head of judiciary and their judges are very careful in their file reviews and I am sure during the review they will notice the ambiguities and deficiencies in the file and will not easily overlook these issues and there is good possibility that they exonerate the verdict.” he told Etemaad.

Delara’s lawyer added: “On the other hand with the help of Mr. Tahmasebi the attorney in city of Rasht, I will continue my attempts to transfer Delara from Rasht prison to Tehran and I am very hopeful that this could happen within the next few days.” 

 

Right: Delara’s in prison Hijab in 2005 court appearance
Top left: Judge Javid Nia who issued the death sentence
Center: Delara w her attorney in corurt, Amir Hossein, boyfriend
Photo source: Iran Newspaper Dec 31, 2005 issue