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Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
After Learning of Son’s Congressional Testimony, Congressional Resolution, Nizar Zakka Breaks His Hunger Strike on 33rd Day
US Legal Permanent Resident and hostage in Iran, Nizar Zakka, concluded his 33-day hunger strike after learning of his son’s testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa on hostages held by Iran, as well as the passage of H.Res. 317, a House Resolution calling for the unconditional release of all U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents held hostage by Iran. Through his attorney, Jason I. Poblete, Mr. Zakka issued the following statement: “At the request of my sons, and because of the support of the American Congress, I’ve decided to stop my hunger strike. 33 days of hunger strike, and the support of family, friends, and even strangers, has helped me find protection, help, and guidance that I did not have before. I want to thank again the Congress, the American people, for not forgetting about me and other fellow hostages held captive in Iran. I also thank fellow hostages and prisoners in Evin prison, for showing solidarity with my cause, for treating me as brother, this has truly been a gift, a huge difference in how the Iranian government has treated me. I am innocent of the charges against me. I just want to go home and be reunited with my family and friends.” Update 14- Zakka Prisoner o... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
For more information on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa hearing, “Held for Ransom: The Families of Iran’s Hostages Speak Out” go here.
The House Resolution, H.Res. 317 – Calling for the unconditional release of United States citizens and legal permanent resident aliens being held for political purposes by the Government of Iran, which was passed unanimously on July 26, can be read here.
Prior Statements and Releases
The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will be holding a hearing, “Held for Ransom: The Families of Iran’s Hostages Speak Out” to discuss American citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents being held hostage by Iran.
The son of Nizar Zakka, Omar Zakka, will testify in Congress today. Mr. Nizar Zakka’s youngest son, Mr. Omar Zakka, will represent his father this afternoon during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. For the details of today’s hearing see the Media Advisory below. When: TODAY, Tuesday, July 25, 3:00 PM (EST) Where: House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building Details: In addition to Omar Zakka, the following persons will also testify: Babak Namazi, son of Baquer Namazi and brother of Siamak Namazi, as well as Douglas Levinson, son of Robert Levinson. Visit the House Foreign Affairs Committee website for more information. 2017-7-25 MEDIA ADVISORY Pr... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, released the following statement on today’s hearing;
“Iran has made it a practice to take American citizens and legal permanent residents as hostages in an effort to exact political and financial concessions. Since the Obama administration paid Iran a $1.7 billion settlement, the Iranian regime has arrested and tried under trumped up charges Siamak and Baquer Namazi, Nizar Zakka, and others. This tactic has caused a great amount of fear and pain for the families and loved ones of these Americans and U.S. legal permanent residents. This hearing is an opportunity for our subcommittee to hear from some of the families themselves the circumstances surrounding their loved ones’ cases. It is also an opportunity to hear from the family of Robert Levinson – the longest held civilian hostage in America’s history – who went missing in Iran in 2007 and has yet to be reunited with his family, despite repeated pledges by the regime to assist in his case.” UPDATE 13- FOURTH WEEK OF HUNGER STRIKE ZAKKA SAYS “LIBERTY OR DEATH…THERE IS NO TURNING BACK”7/18/2017
Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
4th Week of Hunger Strike Zakka Says: “liberty or death … there is no turning back”
U.S. Legal Permanant Resident, Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka has begun the fourth week of his hunger strike protesting the false charges and cruel treatment he has been subjected to by Iran. Mr. Zakka’s attorney in the United States, Mr. Jason Poblete released the following statement:
Determined more than ever to secure his freedom, Mr. Zakka has started his fourth week of hunger strike to protest the false charges against him as well as the cruel treatment that he has been subjected to in Evin Prison. As he has done since the onset of this ordeal, Nizar maintains his innocence and seeks the unconditional release from Iranian captivity. Nizar has been subjected to unspeakable acts of physical and psychological torture in violation of his fundamental liberties. Iranian officials know very well that torture, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. The prohibition against torture is so widely accepted that it is now a fundamental principle of customary international law. To this day, Iran has repeatedly violated the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite significant pressures from his jailers in Evin, this past weekend Nizar said he remains committed to the hunger strike, for himself and others unjustly held, adding it is “liberty or death … there is no turning back.” Nizar is fighting not only for his liberty but also his life. On behalf of Nizar, we strongly urge all parties in a position to do so, to act swiftly to secure his release on a humanitarian basis. Nizar was kidnapped by the Iranian regime on September 18, 2015. Nizar was in Iran because he was invited to speak by Shahindokht Molaverdi at a women’s Internet conference. Molaverdi is a member of Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet and serves as the vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs. More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below. 2017-7-18 Update 13- Zakka ... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Prior Statements and Releases
UPDATE 12- AS NIZAR STARTS THIRD WEEK OF HUNGER STRIKE, FAMILY PLEAS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELEASE7/10/2017
Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
As Nizar Starts Third Week of Hunger Strike, Family Pleas For Humanitarian Release
Fifteen days ago Internet freedom advocate Nizar Zakka started his fifth hunger strike in Evin Prison to protest inhumane treatment at the hands of Iranian captors who have held him hostage since September 18, 2015.
In a quick phone call to family this weekend, Mr. Zakka said it is “too late to stop the hunger strike,” adding that he was being physically “tortured” by the Iranians. The Zakka family issued the following statement: “We urge the international community, and specially the U.S. and Lebanese governments, as well as all the Human Rights Organizations to help Nizar. Nizar’s basic human and fundamental rights are being violated. Nizar’s his health severely weakened due to his continuing Hunger Strike for past 15 days, while the world is watching silently.”
Ms. Shahindokht Molaverdi, a member of Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet, who also serves as the Vice President of Iran for Women and Family Affairs, invited Mr. Zakka in the summer of 2015 to speak at a technology conference for women and families.
After several days in Iran, and after a seemingly successful event that was public and covered on social media, Nizar was detained en route to the airport on September 18, 2015. It is believed that he has been held at Evin Prison ever since.
More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below.
2017-7-10 UPDATE 12- Zakka ... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Prior Statements and Releases
Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
Nizar On Fifth Hunger Strike, Now “Open Ended”
Nine days ago Internet freedom advocate Nizar Zakka started his fifth hunger strike in Evin Prison to protest inhumane treatment at the hands of Iranian captors who have held him hostage since September 18, 2015. Unfortunately, the hunger strike is already taking a physical toll with his blood pressure reportedly reaching dangerously low-levels of approximately 70/50, complicating existing physical problems that are not being addressed. Nizar has also been moved and isolated, again, from fellow prisoners because he refuses to eat. He has also been forced to sign documents that he cannot understand.
In a personal letter to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, one of Nizar’s three sons, Mr. Nadim Zakka, told Rouhani that his father “is now on an open-ended hunger strike and is in very poor health,” stressing that he is very worried for Nizar’s life. “Please stop our suffering before it is too late,” Nadim concluded.
Nizar’s lawyer in the United States, Jason Poblete, said that “as he has done throughout this ordeal, Nizar maintains his innocence. He only wishes a transparent judicial system were available to prove it; that is not the case in Iran. The Zakka family asks for continued prayers and support as well as the unconditional release of Nizar. The Iranian government should put politics aside and release Nizar on a humanitarian basis before this matter escalates, as did the recent case of an American in North Korea.”
Nizar was kidnapped by the Iranian regime on September 18, 2015. Nizar was in Iran because he was invited to speak by Shahindokht Molaverdi at a women’s Internet conference. Molaverdi is a member of Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet and serves as the vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs. More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below. UPDATE 11- Unlawful Detenti... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Prior Statements and Releases
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