15 June 2009

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

To the Obama Administration:

I am writing to you to express my concern over the use of violence by

security forces responding to protests over the election results
following the 12 June elections in Iran. Large numbers of people have
been severely beaten by riot police on motorcycles who wield
truncheons and nightsticks. Furthermore, up to five students at Tehran
University were reportedly shot dead on Sunday 14 June and another
person was reportedly shot when security agents opened fire on a
demonstration on behalf of Mir Hossein Mousavi on 15 June. Several
other people were injured by gunfire.
I am also concerned upon hearing reports that authorities have
detained at least 170 people since 12 June 2009, including the brother
of former President Mohammad Khatami. Furthermore, the Iranian
authorities have attempted to prevent the flow of information by
blocking cell phone, text messaging, email and web sites.

I am concerned by sheer magnitude of disturbing images and video

that have been distributed on Twitter and YouTube. It seems that what
mainstream media has reported and what is really happening are
completely and fundamentally different. I am also concerned of
reports that indicate hospitals are not to be trusted by the protesters
should they be injured, and that the Iranian Government is picking up
bodies of protesters who have died from the hospitals and loading
them into the back of large government vehicles.

I urge you to request of the Iranian Government that security agents

will exercise restraint in the use of lethal force to respond to protests,
and that they will refrain from beating people for exercising their right
to freedom of expression and association. I also urge you to request of
the Iranian Government that those detained for peacefully expressing
their opposition to the election results be released. I finally urge you to
request of the Iranian Government that they not restrict the right to
freedom of expression and association, by permitting peaceful public
protests and by not interfering with communications.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. The information cited
above was received primarily from Amnesty International. Thanks
again.

Sincerely,