My heart goes out to all of the people currently struggling for their human rights in Iran, but I am also compelled to keep the focus two Iranian HIV/AIDS physicians who lost their human rights 1 year ago. Drs Kamiar and Arash Alaei, internationally renowned Iranian HIV/AIDS, physicians were detained in section 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran for practicing medicine. Sadly they are continually being joined by new cell mates in the wake of post election demonstrations. One of their current cellmates could in fact be Newsweek Journalist Maziar Bahari, who profiled the Drs Alaei in a documentary he directed Mohammad and the Matchmaker.
Physicians for Human Rights, who is leading an international coalition of HIV/AIDS, human rights, and health professional organiziations to advocate for the release of the Drs. Alaei released a statement today on the anniversary.
On this somber anniversary for friends, family and colleagues of the Alaeis, Iran is witnessing increasing violence and a litany of alleged human rights abuses. As post-election violence in Iran continues, PHR urges the Iranian government to protect the human rights of everyone within its borders and to respect both international law and human rights provisions in Iran’s own constitution.....
On the one-year anniversary of their arrest, PHR renews our call to the Iranian government to release Arash and Kamiar Alaei so that they can continue their life-saving medical work in Iran and worldwide.
For more background on the Alaei's case, check out my previous posts on Daily Kos here.
Detained Newsweek Journalist Maziar Bahari profiled Drs Kamiar and Arash Alaei in a BBC documentary he directed, Mohammad and the Matchmaker The film describes how Kamiar and Arash Alaei moved beyond the traditional role of doctor and worked to provide social services and even helping them find love. You can view the entire 3 part series of documentary on through YouTube on this blog post.
Over the course of their detention and trial, we've heard from sources inside Iran that the Drs Alaei have put their training to use and have been treating HIV/AIDS and TB patients at Evin Prison. With the disturbing reports of demonstrators seeking medical attention being hauled off to prison, I only hope whomever is in charge of Evin prison allows Kamiar and Arash to put their skills as physicians to use if needed.