Theos-Talk Archives (August 2010 Message tt00039)

Dear All

Perhaps some wealthy Adyar Society Brazilian members can bring additional pressure to bear on their President to address this outrageous issue?

"Dear Friends, 

Global pressure on Iran has saved Sakineh from death by stoning, but within days she could still be hanged. More pressure from leaders in Brazil and Turkey, Iran's allies, are Sakineh's last hope. Donate below to fund an emergency ad campaign in Brazil and Turkey in the next 72 hours: 

Sakineh Ashtiani could be executed for adultery in Iran in the next few days, but two men could still save her -- the leaders of Brazil and Turkey.

President Lula and Prime Minister Erdoğan are powerful allies and mediators with Iran who enjoy great respect there, and both countries have condemned the case. Now, we need to push them to deploy all their diplomatic forces and persuade Iran to free Sakineh and stop stoning forever. 

Avaaz is launching an emergency ad campaign in influential newspapers in Turkey and Brazil urging them to press Iran for clemency and justice. The ads will deliver our half-million strong petition, reach political circles and directly appeal to Lula's and Erdoğan's leadership and moral authority. If 5,000 of us donate even a small amount in the next 72 hours, we'll make a powerful statement before it's too late. This may be Sakineh's last hope -- click here to chip in:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_sakinehs_life/?vl

Sakineh's sentence is a farcical travesty of justice. She was sentenced to death by stoning for allegedly having relations with other men -- years after her husband had passed away, despite stoning having been outlawed in Iran, and despite her not being able to speak the language of her trial. Her two children launched a campaign to save her life, and generated a worldwide uproar, including over 554,000 Avaaz members. Feeling the pressure, the Iranian government revoked the stoning, but the execution sentence stands.

Tension has been rising in Iran since the Sakineh case gained attention -- the regime has threatened to arrest her children for speaking out and has issued an arrest warrant against Sakineh's lawyer. He has now gone into hiding and his family-members have been rounded-up.

But Lula and Erdoğan have great respect in Iran and can influence the regime. And they listen to us. Lula had said that he would not get involved in this case. But after an aide brought his attention to the massive online campaign, he changed his mind, offering Sakineh asylum and prompting Iranian authorities to announce that the case would be quickly resolved. We know Lula listens to Avaaz campaigns -- in the last year, despite powerful opposition, members in Brazil have helped persuade Lula to sign off on a law to protect the Amazon and a bold anti-corruption law.

During the last two weeks, over 554,000 of us have signed the petition to Save Sakineh and end stoning in Iran. We only have days left to persuade Lula and Erdoğan to act -- and it may be our last chance to save Sakineh. Let's each pitch in a small amount and make sure they hear our call to leadership:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_sakinehs_life/?vl

Sakineh's case has outraged the entire world by the sheer scale of its brutal, nonsensical injustice. But in our fight for one woman we make a powerful statement about women, and people, everywhere. In standing up for one person, we stand up for everyone's right to justice.

Sakineh's children's have sent out a last plea: "Do not allow our nightmare become a reality, Today, when nearly all options have reached dead-ends, we resort to you. Please help our mother return home!" Click here to answer their call, and get Erdoğan and Lula to do the same:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_sakinehs_life/?vl

With hope and determination,

Alice, Pascal, Alice W, Ricken, David, and the Avaaz Team 

SOURCES: 

The Guardian, "Iran stoning woman offered asylum by Brazil's President Lula": 
http://www.avaaz.org/guardian_sakineh_article";