Call for Action – Support Mahtab and Saleh by Sending an Email

Call for Action – Support Mahtab and Saleh by Sending an Email (April 8, 10)

Dear Friends:

We are contacting you to request your assistance on a very urgent case involving Mahtab, an Iranian transsexual, and her husband, Saleh. Read here more

It is no secret that queer Iranians who flee to Turkey and other countries continue to face risks due to homophobia. This often results in depression and post traumatic stress symptoms. Mahtab and Saleh, fled Iran to Turkey in June 2007, but have still not received refugee status. The common complications that queer refugees experience are escalated for them because their file has been rejected by office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Ankara. Immediate attention by UNHCR is critical!

Please show your support by writing to the UNHCR to urge them to reconsider their case and grant them international protection because their life is depending upon to the UNHCR’s decision. There are 2 ways you can help:

1. You may copy and paste the sample letters in English into an email and send it to UNHCR; OR

2. You may write your own letter in support of Mahtab and Saleh.

Send your letters to turan@unhcr.org and please cc IRQO info@irqr.net for tracking purposes. You can also fax letters to UNHCR at 0090-312-441-1738 ATTN: Senior Protection Officer. If you choose to fax your letter, please email a copy to info@irqr.net.

Sample Letter to the UNHCR

To: turan@unhcr.org

CC: info@irqr.net

Subject: Support Mahtab Mirghaderi and Saleh Shahsavar

To: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee – Ankara

Attention: Senior Protection Officer

Dear Madam,

This letter particularly concerns the cases of Mahtab Mirghaderi with file number 358-07C02252 and her husband Saleh Shahsavar with file number 385-07C03875, respectively. Mahtab and Saleh had escaped Iran to Turkey in June 2007 and were interviewed by the UNHCR office several times. Unfortunately, their case had been rejected by your office several times and we, as supporters of queer Iranians, urge the reconsideration of their applications for refugee status, as there is every reason to suppose that their lives may depend upon it.

In Iran, homosexuality and other transgressions of gender norms are punishable by torture and even death. Queerphobia runs deep and homosexuality is policed by both government officers and private citizens alike. Sexual minorities are targeted with brutal violence within neighborhoods and even within families. Officials and “moral police” forces seek out queer Iranians only to arrest, punish, and sentence them to extremely cruel sentences.

There is no safety for queers in Iran, only risks of life and liberty. Because of the exigent circumstances, many queer Iranians flee the country in hopes of a more protective environment. Even after fleeing Iran, however, these individuals continue to suffer -- the ‘transit’ countries are often dangerous for queers; the unsanitary living conditions and poor nutrition, coupled with the depression and post-traumatic stress experienced by most is unbearable; and the lack of any significant support system only aggravates their physical and mental health. The realization of these refugees’ hopes of safety and freedom is therefore absolutely dependent on your commissioner’s prompt assistance.

We realize you have many refugee applicants that you must respond to. However, due to the exigent circumstances especially facing queer refugees, we urge you to assist Mahtab and Saleh for reconsideration, and grant them refugee status as soon as possible.

Your timely, informed and sensitive treatment of this case will be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

(-----Your Name---)