The first international seminar

on massacre of Iranian political prisoners

It is not a story that you can tell

It is not a song that you can sing

It is not a tone that you can hear

Or something that you can see

Or something that you can know…

I am the shared pain

Shout me.

(from Ahmad Shamloo, shared love)

Our shared song is the long years of executions, torture and years of imprisonment which has robbed our fighters their lives. Comrades in fate who remained true to their ideals, hopes and love for human beings. Loved friends who were killed by the Islamic regime. Our shared pain is the existence of the criminals who have not been taken to courts of justice and still rule the country- an oppressive capitalist regime which is still in power.

Our shared pain is that long years of fight and efforts for freedom and equality in Iran are fading away. However, the lesson that we have learnt is: if there is a hope in Iran, it will only become true through perseverance and unity.

The magazine, “ Dialouges from Prison” invites all friends and free thinkers to strengthen our efforts by their participation. Taking part in our seminar in Cologne can be the first step in this direction. Your presence can definitely be an expansion of first seminar on massacre of Iranian political prisoners.

We would like to thank those who have responded so far. The followings are the details of the seminar:

Place and time of the seminar

This seminar is in Cologne, Germany from 15.- 17. July 2005.

Unfortunately, due to some technical problems, it was not possible to offer different languages this year. We are, however, doing our best to overcome this problem in the following years.

We would like the participants to register as soon as possible to help us provide them with better service and organization.

You can remain in contact with us using our email address and be informed about the latest changes. Since there are limited number of seats, early registration is recommended.

Themes of discussions

All the researchers and writers are required to send their articles on the following themes, the latest until 01.06.2005 to the organizing committee.

1.                  Prisons and class struggle, the movement of freeing political prisoners, and its perspectives.

2.                  Oppression in Iran (and the efforts on documentations)

3.                  Family and relatives of the political prisoners

4.                  Effects of torture on body and mind

5.                  Crime against humanity: the legal aspects of killings and executions of political prisoners in Iran.

6.                  Women and prisons

7.                  Children in prisons.

8.                  Reflections: national and international solidarity with political prisoners in Iran and their families.

The organizing committee has chosen the above themes from among many suggested ones. The latest points of emphasis will be published in near future. The speakers have maximum 20 minutes to present their writings. After the seminar all the papers will be collected and published in a book.

Along the seminar there are art and entertainment programs. Those who would like to participate or have any suggestions to add to the programs, are required to contact us as early as possible.

There will be an international solidarity evening for political prisoners. People and organizations from all over the world are invited to join us and announce their solidarity with political prisoners, victims and the survivors. We hope that this evening can provide the opportunity to get closer to the victims of oppression and find more international contacts.

In addition we welcome any financial and technical support. Your constructive comments for improvement of our work are an asset for us. 

All the organization committee of the seminar were themselves political prisoners in Iran.

The organization committee of the first seminar on massacre of Iranian political prisoners.

30.April 2005

Contact address:

Email: goftogooha@web.de

Internet: http://www.dialogt.net/seminar2005

Tel. 0174/4912843 (Erreichbar ab 17:00)