Association of Iranian Political Prisoners(in Exile)Public Statement
18
November 2002
Turkey: Iranian refugee died after
a suicide attempt
Kamran Farmanedeh,32 years, Iranian
asylum seeker, who on 3 Novemebr 2002 committed suicide in protest to the
rejection of his asylum application by UNHCR, died in the hospital of Eskeshir
on 18 November 2002. It is a tragedy and a deep grief. Kamran loved his life
in spite of all difficulties. But unfortunately he did not get the chance
to enjoy it. The Islamic regime of Iran is blamed for kamran´s death.If
it wasn´t because of this regime Kamran would have not left Iran in
the first place. In the same time, we believe that UNHCR could have prevented
his death if it would have taken his word seriously when he said UNHCR has
left him no other choice but to commit suicide.
Kamranm was not the first and will not be the last. UNHCR has full responsiblity
to minimize the risk of such a incident by adujusting its harsh policy toward
the Iranian refugees and changing the procedure in dealing with their cases
and in the way they are treated.
We are well aware that UNHCR, due to its limitations, is not able to protect
all who have forced to leave their countries. But there must be some way out
from this circulation. We are sure you believe, as UNHCR does, that Such incident
should be prevented in future. We believe that "committing suicide"
is not the answer to the problems. But we must understand that a person who
intends to commit suicide is not in a situation to think weather he is acting
wrong or right. He does it becuase he sees no other way out from the problem
he is founding himself in. There have also been cases who have been executed
in Iran after that their refugee status rejected by UNHCR in Ankara and deported
to Iran by Turkish police.
In order to make distinguish between who is in need of protection and "who
is not", We believe, UNHCR is to establish a trusting and sympathetic
bridge with the refugees. According to a research that our organisation has
carried out last in 2001 almost 87% of the Iranian refugees do not feel comfortable
when they are holding interview at UNHCR. For this very obvious reason, they
are not able to express themselves properly. The problem begins right from
this point. Mistrust repalce the trust and confidence disappears.
We believe that UNHCR is to change its vision and its way of handling the
refugee problems by establishing a trusting and sympathetic bridge with saylum
seekers. Refugees should have easily access to UNHCR, its employees and social
duty workers. Most of the people fleeing from their coutries, are traumatized
by one or another reason. They should have access to housing, to medical and
trauma centers. The childern should be able to go to school. More responsiblity
and struggle for the rights of the refugees are what we suggest to UNHCR even
if they have not been granted status by UNHCR. Changing legal procedure will
definately be helpful.