Advocating for Hoder

There are a number of advocacy groups, journalists, and news outlets which have been advocating for Hoder. Today, an article at Iranian.com by Nazanin Afshin-Jam, former Miss World Canada and Iranian-Canadian human rights advocate was posted.

In the article, Afshin-Jam details how she was interviewed by Hossein Derakhshan four years ago after winning her title; she states:

At that time I found Derakhshan, aka “Hoder”, to be a young, hip, Iranian-Canadian with a good sense of humour. I admired the fact that he publicly wrote on his blogs about democratic reform and the repression of freedom of expression that exists in Iran under the current regime.

She then goes on to say that a few years later she witnessed Derakhshan’s change in politics and was even victim to his criticism in her own blog. Yet, she still supports his release, stating:

Despite Mr. Derakhshan’s controversial, and slanderous record, he should be protected by law under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Articles 9 and 10 of the UDHD state that: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.” and “Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.”

Afshin-Jam urges readers to take action by writing to Iranian authorities:

APPEALS TO:

Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Intelligence
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Ministry of Intelligence,
Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei,
The Office of the Supreme LeaderIslamic Republic Street -
Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.irSalutation:
Your Excellency

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (there are problems with this line, please try three times)
Email: int_aff@judiciary.ir (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)

And to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.