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Concern at Iranian film director’s visa rejection
PRESS RELEASE
18 April 2016
Amnesty International
expresses concern at Iranian film director’s visa
rejection
As proud sponsors of the documentary
‘Sonita’ at this year's Documentary Edge Film Festival,
Amnesty International is concerned to hear the news that the
film’s Iranian director, Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami, has been
denied a visa to visit New Zealand during the festival next
month.
This award winning documentary addresses the
issue of forced marriage in Iran through the journey of
young Afghan refugee, turned rapper, Sonita who narrowly
escaped forced marriage at 16 by writing the song ‘Brides
for sale’.
Human rights activist Ghaemmaghami
was due to speak at screenings of the documentary and also
to feature as a guest masterclass speaker at international
industry event the Screen Edge Forum giving New Zealand
audiences the opportunity to explore these important
issues.
“Film directors are often the target of
crackdowns by governments in their own countries, but it is
deeply concerning to see our own country rejecting this visa
application”, said Margaret Taylor, Activism Manager at
Amnesty International.
“Rokhsareh plans to visit
several other countries such as Australia, Turkey and the US
on her worldwide tour to promotes this documentary, so
it’s surprising that New Zealand has rejected her
application on the grounds that she may be a flight
risk”.
Amnesty International would like to hear
more from Immigration New Zealand on how they came to this
decision and the organisation would welcome a reassessment
of this case.
‘Sonita’ will screen at The Roxy
in Miramar, Wellington on 13 and 15 May and at Q Theatre in
Auckland on 19 and 29 May.
The festival has set up
a petition calling for Immigration NZ to reverse their
decision on Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami’s visa, you can add
your name at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/let-acclaimed-iranian-director-rokhsareh/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=button
For more information about the festival visit http://docedge.nz/
ENDS
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