Tell Iran to Release Three American Hikers
Update: Sarah Shourd was released on bail on the September 15th in response to international pressure regarding her health concerns. However, as Sarah says, she is only "One Third Free." Sarah's fiance Shane Bauer and their good friend Josh Fattal are stillin jail. Please sign the petition for their release.
In July 2009, Shane Bauer, Joshua Felix Fattal and Sarah Emily Shourd, were arrested while hiking near the Iran/Iraq border. Iranian officials have alleged that these three U.S. citizens planned to carry out espionage.
But some senior Iranian leaders -- including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- have suggested that these citizens might be detained to pressure the U.S. government and possibly use them as bargaining chips.
The hikers were only allowed to call their families months after their arrest. They have not had access to their lawyer, and Swiss embassy officials, who represent U.S. consular interests in Iran, haven't been allowed access to the prisoners since last April.
Tell Iran leaders to allow Bauer, Fattal and Shourd access to their lawyers, their families and medical attention. And urge that if they're not to be immediately charged with criminal offenses and given a fair trial that they be released.
I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the case of two young Americans, Michael Bauer and Joshua Felix Fattal, who were arrested in July 2009 while they were hiking near the Iran/Iraq border. They have been detained in Evin Prison for more than one year without charge or trial
[Your personalized comments will be inserted here.]
I am concerned about statements made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in February 2010 that suggest they might be held in order to pressure the United States into making diplomatic concessions or in order to compel them to make some other deal. Hostage taking is a human rights violation.
I urge that they be allowed regular access to their lawyers, their families and to medical attention while they are in detention. Furthermore I urge that if they are not to be immediately charged with recognizable criminal offenses and given a fair trial, that they be immediately released.
Thank you very much for your attention.
