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The official decision has finally come down in our favor. It is difficult to fully process the weight of this outcome after so many years of seeking justice. I am deeply moved by the way so many people chose to acknowledge this history and support this path forward.

May 16, 2017

Stand with Mina

Stand with Mina

🏆 Won — 276 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Sheba F.
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Bojana K.
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Stephanie B.
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Mirage A.
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Nader M.
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Melissa N.
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Heather L.
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Soledad l.
+266 more
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Started by Gabriel Guppy 9 years, 7 months ago

My name is Roghayeh Azizi and I am a human rights activist. I was born in 1956 in Iran. In 1979, I began my career as a primary school teacher and this is where I began working in political activism to defend the human rights of the poor small villages of northern Iran where I lived and worked. Following the Iranian revolution, the newly installed Regime fired me from my teaching job and I was told my life was at risk. So I, like so many thousands of other teachers, students, journalists and community workers throughout the country, went into hiding and lived underground to the best of my abilities. After two years, the Regime found me and I was taken to prison with my 11 month old daughter and my husband Ebrahim.

I served a three year prison term at Rasht Prison, throughout this time, I endured unimaginable torture; all while the Islamic Regime constantly tried to make me confess the names of students, families and organizations affiliated with supporting human rights. My daughter was taken from me and then finally after a few years they released me. I never saw my husband again outside the prison walls. In 1988 , Ebrahim along with 20,000 other political prisoners, imprisoned for human rights activism, were executed in mass executions and buried in anonymous mass graves.

I have never recovered from the traumas I endured nor was I allowed to teach or work again in Iran. Whatever menial employment I managed to find, the Regime would eventually find me and I would be fired. As a result, I was often without the means to support my daughter. My movement was monitored and restricted and I would be brought in for random questioning if they had reason to suspect I was resuming any human rights activism. Regardless of my abstention, they would continually threaten me with imprisonment and taking my daughter away. I endured this life for twenty two years, never believing it would be possible to escape the horrors of this Regime and their restriction of basic human rights.

In the four years I have been in Canada, I have resumed my human rights activism in Sunday demonstrations at Phillip Square protesting Iran's ongoing public executions and imprisonment of human rights activists. The Iranian Regime is aware of my activism in Canada and should I be deported to Iran, I will be immediately imprisoned and executed. The Iranian Government is especially vigilant and violent with Iranian citizens abroad, who have been participating in human rights activism against the present government. My circumstances are further compounded because of my past as a political prisoner in Iran.

If Canada believes in democracy and in protecting the human rights of refugees, I implore you to change the decision regarding my deportation to Iran . Today, we learned of 88 new executions of political prisoners in Iran in January. If I am returned, you would be handing me to a Regime that has no regard for human life, especially those fighting against the Iranian governments atrocious human rights abuses.

In signing this petition it is my hope you will commit to passing my story along. Not only so that my basic human rights are respected but that we may collectively prevent others from being subjected to the same injustice that I was a victim of. Sincerely, I beg of you to support securing my asylum in Canada and the reversal of my deportation.

Updates

Reached 250 supporters

February 22, 2017

Reached 100 supporters

February 19, 2017

33 Comments

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Leleco Leclerc
9 years ago Featured

In Québec, religion is finally being left behind. Mina, I don't know who you are or your religious views but your activism is more than anything I have done to improve the lives of others. I commend you. Have you met with Maire Coderre? What else can we do for you?

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Alexandre Popovic
9 years ago Featured

Je signe parce qu'il n'est pas encore trop tard pour empêcher l'irréparable. Je peux pas croire que le Canada veut retourner cette femme-là auprès de ses tortionnaires.

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Elmita
9 years ago Featured

How does the government justify letting immigrants across our border unchecked but deports a woman who has done nothing wrong to certain death. Facts should matter more than flawed old rules that don't apply to her situation. I am ashamed of our government for even considering this.

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mandy hiscocks
9 years ago Featured

under international law, you can't deport someone who is at risk of torture and/or death. even if the PM isn't all over twitter saying how great Canada is. even if Coderre isn't getting undeserved cred for Montréal's "Sanctuary City" motion. but maybe especially because of those things. walk the walk and let her stay.

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Anne Baudouin
9 years ago Featured

As a Canadian I do not want this poor woman deported. She is in danger in her homeland and only because she stood up for her beliefs. Our freedom is often taken for granted, but we are FREE to help others who would like to enjoy life and peace. Help Roghayeh Azizi become a Canadian. We need people like her in this world.

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Michelle
9 years ago Featured

Canada until recently it seems has always been animate about defending ppl who face prosecution in their home countries and have granted asylum to those whose lives are in danger if they return home . No one should be killed for speaking against oppressive and violent organizations , government and others. It is my obligation as a human being and a proud Canadian to urge our current administration to continue this and refrain from deporting ppl back whom will most likely be exacuted simply because they fought for their basic human rights

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Anonymous
9 years ago

I should check if Japan or U.S. accept Mina.

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Junette Sampson
9 years ago

I vouch for Mina to save lives and stay in Canada