Statement of solidarity with Ghoncheh Ghavami, a former SOAS student, who has been held in solitary confinement for over 100 days in Iran after attempting to watch an Iran-Italy volleyball game in June 2014, and is now on hunger strike
We are deeply concerned and saddened by reports that Ghoncheh Ghavami, a former SOAS student, has been held in solitary confinement in Iran after attempting to watch an Iran-Italy volleyball game in June 2014.
Ghoncheh was arrested outside Azadi Stadium in Tehran, as were other Iranian women who had attempted to watch the match on 20th June in protest against a law which prohibits women from entering stadiums. Ghoncheh was released, but her personal belongings were confiscated by the police, and when she returned to collect them ten days later she was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison. Ghoncheh has been held in prison for over 100 days.
Ghoncheh has been on hunger-strike inside the prison for over a week, and her mother, Susan, has gone on hunger-stike as well.
We wish to express our deepest sympathies and solidarity with Ghoncheh and her loved ones, and our support for her brave action in defence of women’s rights and civil liberties.
Members of the SOAS community can show their support for the campaign to free Ghoncheh by signing the petition, liking the Facebook pages, and tweeting the hashtag:
Petition http://www.change.org/p/david-cameron-hassanrouhani-bring-my-sister-home-freeghonchehghavami
Free Ghoncheh Ghavami facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FreeGhonchehGhavami
SOAS Free Ghoncheh Ghavami facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SOASghonchehghavami
#FreeGhonchehGhavami
In solidarity,
SOAS Students’ Union Executive