Today, the hearts and hopes of people around the world are with Iranians facing awful risks on the streets of their country. Regardless of who won the election, the question now is one of fundamental human rights.
Top Iranian leaders are divided, so every bit of pressure matters. Scores have been killed, over 1000 imprisoned and the crackdown is intensifying — but massive new protests have been called, and Iranian citizens are urgently appealing to us for a united international response to oppose the violent crackdown.
Sign the petition below calling on ALL governments to condemn the crackdown and withhold recognition of any Iranian government until election concerns are peacefully addressed. Then forward this email to friends and family — let’s build a massive global outcry of 1 million voices against the crackdown:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown
We’ll deliver the petition directly to the leaders of Iran’s largest trading partners and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the UN, and other international groups respected in Iran. A united international response will puncture the regime’s spin that the US and UK alone are behind global criticism.
People power is sweeping global politics. But where leaders respond violently to nonviolent protest, from Burma to Zimbabwe to Iran, global solidarity is needed to show governments that repression weakens their rule, rather than strengthening it.
Avaaz means “voice” in Farsi, the Iranian language. Let’s show the people of Iran that, whoever they voted for, we support their right to have their voices heard. Click below to sign the petition, and spread the word by forwarding this email:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown
With hope and determination,
Ricken, Ben, Milena, Paul, Raluca, Brett, Iain, Pascal, Raj, Graziela, Taren, Paula, Margaret, Veronique and the whole Avaaz team.
PS – For more information on the Iranian elections and protests see these news sources:
BBC — “Iran silences protesters”
Associated Press — “Struggle amongst Iran’s clerics bursts into the open”
Al Jazeera — “Iran’s Mousavi urges defiance”
The Huffington Post — Iran Live blog