Protestors call for release of AIDS doctors imprisoned ...

Protestors call for release of AIDS doctors imprisoned in Iran - Protestors call for release of AIDS doctors imprisoned in Iran

Protestors gathered in front of the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, DC on 12 May, calling for the release of two Iranian physicians, who are being held on charges related to endangering national security.

Kamiar and Arash Alaei, two world-renowned HIV/AIDS physicians, have been held in Tehrans Evin Prison since June 2008.

Physicians for Human Rights [PHR] and a coalition of organizations in more than 16 countries held a Global Day of Action today, calling on Iran to drop the charges against the two brothers and release them immediately.
John Bradshaw, director of PHR, said that the Alaeis were arrested only for their work with the international medical community.

He told WashingtonTV: Just for doing that, for having contact with outsiders, the regime arrested them and said they were trying to overthrow the government and its really an illegitimate charge.

The doctors founded Irans non-governmental Pars Institute and formed the triangular clinical plan, in which treatment is offered for sexually-transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, and drug addiction. In November 2006, they were participants in the first US-sponsored exchange program with Iran, diplomatic ties were cut in 1979.

Bradshaw told WashingtonTV that he hoped the release of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi this week, is an indication of improving ties between Washington and Tehran.

That will help everyone, all these human rights cases will be helped by that.

The reverend Jesse Jackson, who has played the role of human rights mediator for various American administrations in the past, and was seen walking towards the Pakistani embassy where the Iranian Interest Section is housed, told reporters he was there to express gratitude for the release of Roxanna Saberi, an American of Iranian origin who was recently released by Iran, but also to find out the next steps to secure the release of ...

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