URGENT: OFFICIALS IN RASHT PREPARING TO EXECUTE DELARA DARABI

Officials in Rasht Preparing to Hang Delara Darabi Despite Khoramshahi's
Request for Review of Delara's Case

Before the new year holiday in Iran, Abdolsammad Khoramshahi, attorney
for Delara Darabi , filed his objection to the Supreme Court's affirmation of Delara's death sentence, as well as a request for a review of Delara's case by a five-judge panel.

However, according to sources close to Delara's case, during the new year
holiday, officials in Rasht, where Delara is has been imprisoned for the
past 3 years, have been in communication with the office of Iran's head of
judiciary in preparation to hang the young artist.

Ayatollah Shahroudi, head of Iran's judiciary, has the discretion to commute
Delara's death sentence and to order a new trial for the young artist, where
exculpatory evidence can be presented. As such, it is extremely important
to voice your objection to the upcoming execution of Delara Darabi. To do
so, please take the following steps:

1. Sign the petition objecting to the impending execution of Delara Darabi.

2. Contact the office of Ayatollah Shahroudi by fax or mail to voice your
objection:

Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi*
appeal via the judiciary website: http://iranjudiciary.org/

*Please note that this matter is extremely urgent and requires your
immediate attention. Should you have any questions, please contact
info@SaveDelara.com . For more information, visit:
www.SaveDelara.com

Letter from Delara Darabi

This morning, I contacted Ms. Lily Mazahery, the human rights lawyer who is spearheading the Save Delara! campaign, about permission to post the translation of a letter from Delara Darabi, and she was gracious, as always, to grant such permission. The following is the translation of Delara's letter:


For three years, I have searched for answers within the confines of darkness. I need magnanimity without pity or forgiveness other than that which is granted to me by my God. I know that my story must end with forgiveness, yet let us leave aside for the moment that, for three years, I have struggled for my rights to no avail and I have screamed my innocence to ears that are deaf at best.

I believe that creation is born of strained circumstances: strained humanity, strained finances, strained emotions. After all, one learns to paddle for survival only when fear of drowning has set in. I am no exception to this rule.

I do not know which path you have taken to arrive at my paintings. Frankly, it is not important. For I know that it is LOVE that has led you here: love of life, love of humanity, love of belief. These paintings are proof that, even in the darkest confines of human life, there is at least the sensation of safety. After all, one can not remain a prisoner of hopes and dreams.

You, whose friendship I treasure without reason: Do pray for Delaras of far away.

Delara Darabi – Rasht Prison

(Translated from Farsi to English by Lily Mazahery. Posted with the express permission of Ms. Lily Mazahery and the Legal Rights Institute, 2007. ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED).

You can see a flash slide show of Delara's paintings here.