by matttbastard
Update: Be sure to sign the official petition calling for Momeni’s release.
Esha Momeni, women’s rights advocate and a member of the Campaign from California was arrested on Wednesday October 15, 2008, while on a visit to Tehran. Momeni who is a photographer and graduate student was arrested in an unusual and illegal manner after being pulled over on Moddaress highway, by individuals who identified themselves as under cover traffic police on the pretense that she had unlawfully passed another vehicle while driving. Esha was arrested and taken to Section 209 of Evin Prison, managed by the Intelligence and Security Ministry.
Prior to her transfer to Evin, security officials searched her home and seized property, including her computer and films which were part of her thesis project. The security officials had an arrest warrant and court permission to search the home and seize property.
While Esha’s friends and colleagues were insistent about announcing the news of her arrest immediately, based on requests from her family this news was announced with delay. Security forces had promised Esha’s family that she would be released quickly if news of her arrest was not published.
Esha’s parents went to the Revolutionary Courts today, on the fifth day of her arrest, to follow up on the case of their daughter. Court officials told the Momeni family that they should not come to the courts again, and that their questions will not be answered until the investigation of Esha’s case comes to a close.
Esha Momeni is a graduate student at the School of Communications, Media and Arts at California State University, Northridge. Esha had come to Iran two months ago to visit with her family and to work on her Masters thesis project, focused on the Iranian women’s movement. To this end, she had conducted video interviews with members of the One Million Signatures Campaign in Tehran.
Women’s rights activists object to the unusual manner in which Esha was arrested, as well as the irresponsible treatment of her family members by security forces. Further they strongly object to the unjustified and unwarranted arrest of this women’s rights defender.
A weblog in support of Esha pressing for her release has been established, which includes interviews with her professors… . The weblog as well as the site of the Campaign, Change for Equality, will continue to provide news on developments about Esha’s case. Take a look at the blog For Esha.
Take action now–please write to the following contacts:
– [express] concern at the arrest of Esha Momeni, and [urge] on the authorities to treat her humanely in detention, and protect her from torture or other ill-treatment;
– [ask] the authorities to ensure that while in detention she is granted immediate and regular access to her family, a lawyer of her choice, and any medical treatment she may require;
– [express] concern that her arrest was apparently in connection with her peaceful activities in support of equal rights for women in Iran and in the context of her graduate research;
– [urge] the authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally if she is not to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence and brought to trial promptly and fairly
h/t Vanessa @ Feministing (via Feminist Daily News); more from CNN, DKos, Melissa Wall, and David Blumenkrantz. Also see this article on the 0ne Million Signatures Campaign, written by Momeni in 2007.
Previous Change for Equality PSAs:
Background: More on the still-ongoing One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality from Change For Equality (more here) and Ms. Magazine.
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to add your name.
Update: Be sure to sign the official petition calling for Momeni’s release.
Heart-breaking memories of Zahra Kazemi, mattt. Signed.
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csun grad students holding please free esha candlelight vigil wed., nov. 12 at cal-state northridge. attendance is open to the public.
full details at:
http://www.myspace.com/pleasefreeesha
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What if she is really a spy? Are you sure she is not? How can you be so sure?
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Have you heard any left wing feminist raise concerns about the treatment of women in Iran? How about Pakistan where they like to throw acid on women who seek an education? It is hard to find any concern for the burka clad among the women’s studies crowd. They hated George Bush too much to acknowledge what he had done for women in Afghanistan. Will Obama show concern for the women of Iran when he talks unconditionally to the religious bigots in charge?
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BREAKING NEWS: ESHA ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES, CA, USA AUGUST 11TH, 2009
Hello friends and comrades!
We are happy to share with you the news that CSUN student Esha Momeni arrived in Los Angeles, CA Tuesday, August 10th.
She’s in good health and spirits.
Please visit the For Esha site for more info, including a video interview with Esha talking about her experience in Iran.
http://for-esha.blogspot.com/
Thank you to all of you for your support, prayers, helping spread the word and keeping hope alive!
Note that this doesn’t end here, as there are many other prisoners suffering in Iran and around the world. We must not forget about them.
Thanks again!
Anayansi & Heddy
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