Ali Panah takes mineral supplements on doctors advice

Day 41 of hunger strike - Ali taking mineral supplements

GPJA is very pleased that hunger striker Ali Panah is now taking liquid mineral supplements on the strong advice of doctors during his stay in hospital last week.

The mineral supplements, while having little food value will prevent some of the physical damage from a prolonged period without food.

We do not want to see anyone lose their life because of an inhumane government policy. GPJA continues to argue alongside Amnesty International for the government to issue a temporary visa to Ali until it is safe for him to return to Iran. Anything less is unacceptable

Ali phoned a supporter from prison today. He is bearing up well in the circumstances and continuing to refuse food.

Government smear campaign

Meanwhile there is clearly an orchestrated government smear campaign against Ali. Department of Labour officials have been implying that Ali has something to hide. They claim he is not a true Christian and imply that they have evidence to discredit him but can’t release it because of the Privacy Act. This is devious nonsense. Ali is a committed Christian as attested by his church vicar and parishioners. Supporters are aware of the full circumstances around Ali’s past history. He has well justified fears for his safety should he be forced to return to Iran.

Immigration officials should cut the crap and advise the Minister to apply some decency to his decision-making.

Background

Ali is an Iranian who arrived here several years ago and applied for refugee status. His application was declined and he was arrested 18 months ago and detained at Mt Eden Prison to be deported. However it is not safe for him to return to Iran so he has refused to sign papers applying for an Iranian passport.

As a Christian convert (before he came to NZ) his life would be in danger. Ali has the strong support of his New Zealand employer, his Anglican vicar and fellow parishioners as well as the Iranian community in New Zealand.

Amnesty International says that in cases like this the government should issue a temporary visa until it is safe for Ali to return to Iran. Minister of Immigration David Cunliffe is refusing to use his discretion under the Immigration Act to do this.

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