arthra
Baha'i
Russell Brand Says Human Rights No Joke
9:31am UK, Thursday February 26, 2009
Fifteen of Britain's top comedians have signed an open letter calling for the Iranian government to respect the human rights of its citizens.
Russell Brand was among the 15 signatories to the letter
The stars include Russell Brand, David Baddiel, Jimmy Carr, Jack Dee and Jo Brand.
They say they are "deeply concerned" at the imprisonment of seven leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran.
In a letter to the Times, they say their only 'crime' is holding different religious beliefs.
"We join (those) who have so far raised their voices calling for a fair trial, if not the complete release of the Baha'i leaders in Iran," they say.
The letter goes on: "Spurious charges now look likely to be filed against these Baha'is in the Revolutionary Court.
Comedian David Baddiel
"'Espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic' are their alleged crimes.
"In reality, their only "crime", which the current regime finds intolerable, is that they hold a religious belief that is different from the majority."
The letter says no formal evidence has been brought against the Baha'i leaders.
Nor have they given access to their legal counsel, the Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi.
All Baha'i institutions were banned by the Iranian government following the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The letter was signed by David Baddiel, Bill Bailey, Morwenna Banks, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jo Brand, Russell Brand, Rob Brydon, Jimmy Carr, Jack Dee, Omid Djalili, Sean Lock, Lee Mack, Alexei Sayle, Meera Syal and Mark Thomas.
9:31am UK, Thursday February 26, 2009
Fifteen of Britain's top comedians have signed an open letter calling for the Iranian government to respect the human rights of its citizens.
The stars include Russell Brand, David Baddiel, Jimmy Carr, Jack Dee and Jo Brand.
They say they are "deeply concerned" at the imprisonment of seven leaders of the Baha'i community in Iran.
In a letter to the Times, they say their only 'crime' is holding different religious beliefs.
"We join (those) who have so far raised their voices calling for a fair trial, if not the complete release of the Baha'i leaders in Iran," they say.
The letter goes on: "Spurious charges now look likely to be filed against these Baha'is in the Revolutionary Court.
"'Espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic' are their alleged crimes.
"In reality, their only "crime", which the current regime finds intolerable, is that they hold a religious belief that is different from the majority."
The letter says no formal evidence has been brought against the Baha'i leaders.
Nor have they given access to their legal counsel, the Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi.
All Baha'i institutions were banned by the Iranian government following the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The letter was signed by David Baddiel, Bill Bailey, Morwenna Banks, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jo Brand, Russell Brand, Rob Brydon, Jimmy Carr, Jack Dee, Omid Djalili, Sean Lock, Lee Mack, Alexei Sayle, Meera Syal and Mark Thomas.
