A Harsh Prison Sentence Against A Mourning But Determined Woman!

The news of the sentencing of Mansoureh Behkish to four and a half years prison on April 4, 20012, not only drew attention from national and international news agencies in a couple of hours, but caused some immediate condemnations from human rights organizations, including The International Federation of Human Rights League andthe World Organization Against Torture.
Mansoureh Behkish is being sentenced for seeking justice for her six close family members who were killed by the Islamic Republic in the 80's, while she is responsible for the care of her 91 year old mother.
Although the courts of the Islamic Republic are known for unfair sentences, what causes this one to create a world wide reaction, is that showing solidarity with other mournful mothers and families is considered as "conspiring against social security" and "propaganda against the regime".! These families who have lost their loved ones in the 80's and during the Green movement, used to gather in Laleh Park in Iran holding candles, flowers and photos of their children, and were known as Mournful Mother of Iran or Mothers of Laleh Park.

Although unlawful and harsh sentences made by judicial system in Iran is not rare, it still is hard to hear another case and not to be astonished,. How can one get accustomed to witnessing the imprisonment of lawyers, or human rights activists, only for the crime of defending their clients, or regarding for human values? How can we not to get outraged every time we hear showing solidarity with mournful mothers or seeking justice for their lost loved one is considered as a crime?

Jila Karamzadeh Makvandi ,a poetess, is also another supporter of the Mourning Mothers, who is now behind bars only for attending the peaceful gatherings at Laleh Park to show her solidarity to them.. Many other of these mothers and women as well, are being intimidated or forced to flee the country with heavy sentences and every day harassment.

Mansoureh Bahkish had been threatened, interrogated and illegally imprisoned many times in the past, only for going to Khavaran or Behesht Zahra cemeteries or participating in vigils along with other Mourning Mothers at Laleh Park. Once in Summer 2008 she was arrested insultingly at work, just because the day before, she had participated in a commemoration ceremony with “Mothers of Khavaran”. Although this arrestment did not last more than 3 days, it coasted her losing her job at the bank. She was also arrested two times in support of other Mournful Mothers at Laleh Park ; on December 5, 2009, with twenty eight other mourning mothers, and once again on January 9 ,2010 with twenty nine other Mothers of Laleh Park . She was also arrested on January 12, 2010 on the street and spent one month in solitary and was finally released with a heavy bond.

The International Solidarity with The Mothers of Laleh Park strongly condemns inhumane sentences against the supporters of The Mothers of Laleh Park like Mansoureh Behkish, Jila Karamzadeh Makvandi and others. They also like always stresses on their demands for freedom of all political-conscience prisoners, abolishment of the death penalty and the trial of all those involved in the crimes of The Islamic Republic in an open and fair court.

This campaign is firmly asking the Islamic regime to stop the illegal arrests and harassment against the family members of those killed and abused and at the same time, seeks help from all conciseness people of the world to demand from the regime to respect the International Human Rights Charter and its international treaties.

The rulers of Iran must know that the response to mothers seeking justice is not to put them behind bars and the bones of the thousand sons and daughters buried in Khavaran or Behesht Zahra cemeteries are awaiting justice.

April 2012
http://www.madaraneparklale.org/2012/04/harsh-prison-sentence-against-mourning_09.html#more