Hossein Kazemeini Boroujerdi, Outspoken Religious Critic, in Grave Danger

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: (New York) – The Iranian authorities should ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into threats and attempted attacks against Ayatollah Hossein Kazemeini Boroujerdi’s life, and allow him to seek proper medical care outside prison, Human Rights Watch said today. Boroujerdi, a prominent 53-year-old Shia cleric who has criticized the religious system of government, suffers from several serious health conditions.

A source close to Boroujerdi and his family told Human Rights Watch that on November 22, 2011, a cellmate tried to kill Boroujerdi during an altercation. Boroujerdi’s family and followers have long complained of the dangerous and substandard conditions under which the cleric is held, including detention with violent cellmates convicted of drug trafficking and violent crimes.

Failed attempt on Mr. Boroujerdi’s life in Prison

According to reports, on 22 November, Tuesday morning (1 Azar 1390), authorities of Evin Prison in an inhumane action made an attempt on Mr. Boroujerdi’d life.

Witnesses said that authorities had made a prisoner to make an attempt on Mr. Boroujerdi’s life during a false fight. This prisoner was arrested for drug trafficking and was sentenced to death. The authorities had said to the prisoner that if he kills Mr. Boroujerdi he will be free and forgiven by leadership. But this attempt was failed because of co-operations of the prisoners.

Wall Street Movement support of Mr. Boroujerdi

Campaign99: Note - the idea is simple. We have decided to talk with 99 people engaged in Occupy Wall Street Movement around the world. We will listen to each person's narrative of why s/he has joined the Occupy Wall Street Movement. Then we will narrate the life story of an Iranian prisoner of conscience for that person. After this mutual exchange of stories, we will ask the person to send a message to and make a poster for that Iranian prisoner. While s/he is holding the poster, we take a picture. If you like the idea, share it with your friends. This is for global solidarity.

UN regulations mandate proper medical care for prisoners of conscience

Fidh: Several prisoners of conscience in Iran are in pressing need of proper medical treatment, which is not available inside the various prisons where they are held. However, the Iranian authorities are using their poor health conditions to exert more pressure on them, to coerce them to make false confessions or to issue new charges against them and prolong their detention.

Mr. Boroujerdi's letter to Hillary Clinton

Translated and edited by: Banafsheh Pourzand-Bonazzi

banzanbon@hushmail.com

  Esteemed U.S. Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton,

Please accept the greetings of this Iranian prisoner who is deprived of both legal representation and medical attention.

As you may very well know, the Islamic regime in Iran came to power based on lies and false promises by its founders, and with the passage of time, it lost its public footing, to the point where the international community realized that the people of Iran and the regime are in fact, divided. Those atop the regime of Supreme Leadership continue to either plunder or pillage the great wealth of this rich land, or expand their militaristic and autocratic ambitions.