Iran - Eight Nobel laureates call for Akbar Ganji's release

Iran - Eight Nobel laureates call for Akbar Ganji's release
MONTREAL, Aug. 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Reporters Without Borders today hailed a
petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned
Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji which was launched by Iran's 2003 Nobel peace
laureate Shirin Ebadi and which has already been signed by seven other Nobel
laureates.
"Iran's most senior officials must heed this very clear message from
eight world figures who have made outstanding contributions to peace and
science," the organisation said, going on to appeal to foreign diplomats based
in Tehran to visit Ganji at Milad hospital, where he was taken on 17 July.
Until now, Iran's government and judicial authorities have refused to
heed the calls for the release of Ganji, who has been imprisoned for five
years and who is continuing the hunger strike he began 54 days ago.
If the international community does not react, Ganji is going to die.

The eight Nobel laureates who have already signed the petition are:

Shirin Ebadi of Iran, holder of the 2003 Nobel peace prize;
John Hume of the United Kingdom, holder of the 1998 Nobel peace prize;
Jody Williams of the United States, holder of the 1997 Nobel peace prize;
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, holder of the 1984 Nobel peace
prize;
Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Ireland, holder of the 1976 Nobel peace
prize;
Betty Williams of Ireland, holder of the 1976 Nobel peace prize;
Maurice Allais of France, holder of the 1988 Nobel prize for economics;
Georges Charpak of France, holder of the 1992 Nobel prize for physics;



For further information: Emily Jacquard, Canadian office representative,
Reporters Without Borders, (514) 521-4111, Cell: (514) 258-4208,
Fax: (514) 521-7771, rsfcanada@rsf.org ; www.rsf.org


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