1. Special Focus Case:
Majid Tavakkoli
Campaign for Individuals at Risk

2. Majid Tavakkoli: Overview
 He is a student leader and member of the Islamic Students Association, working
to peacefully represent students’ interests and concerns in Iran.
 Before arrest, he studied ship building at Amir Kabir University
 24 years old
 Prisoner of Conscience, imprisoned solely
for the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression

3. Majid Tavakkoli: Case Background
2009
Copyright atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com
 Majid Tavakkoli was arrested on December 7, 2009 following his speech at a
peaceful rally marking Student Day
 Demonstration was part of anti-government protests following disputed
presidential election in June 2009.
 He was reportedly beaten during his arrest, sentenced following an unfair trial in
January 2010 and held in solitary confinement for several months
 Majid was tried and sentenced to 8 ½ years of prison during an unfair trial, one
in which his lawyer was not allowed to attend

4. Majid Tavakkoli: Case Background
2010
 From January to May 2010, he was placed in solitary
confinement and was allowed only one brief family
visit for 15 minutes
 During this time, he was staging a hunger strike
and was reportedly suffering from a respiratory
condition, internal bleeding, and loss of speech.
Raja'i Shahr Prison, copyright uruknet.info
 In June 2010, Amnesty International adopted Majid Tavakkoli’s case as part of a
campaign to address the Iranian governments stifling of freedom of expression
which has escalated since the disputed presidential elections in June 2009

5. Majid Tavakkoli: Case Background
2010
 On December 7, 2010, marking the Student Day anniversary, Majid Tavakkoli and
imprisoned student Bahareh Hedayat wrote a joint later praising efforts of Iranian
students abroad, and called for the protection and promotion of the Student
Movement.
 Following this letter, both students now face additional charges of
“propaganda against the system” and “acting against national security by
conspiring against the system.”
 During a recent interrogation, Majid Tavakkoli was asked to condemn the Student
Movement in order to be acquitted from his charges. He refused to do so.

6. Majid Tavakkoli: Case Background
2011
 On January 5, 2011, Majid Tavakkoli’s family home was raided by intelligence
officers from the Shiraz Ministry of Intelligence and his brother was summoned to
appear before the Office of Investigation at the Shiraz Ministry of Intelligence.
 In response, Majid Tavakkoli published a letter condemning the raid on his
family home.
 Despite a history of arrests, torture, and solitary confinement, Majid Tavakkoli
continues to exercise his right to free expression on behalf of thousands of other
silenced Iranian students

7. Majid Tavakkoli: Current Situation
 Serving 8 ½ years in prison, plus 5 year ban on any involvement in political
activities and on leaving the country
 He faces additional charges of “propaganda against the system” and “acting
against national security by conspiring against the system” after publishing the
Student Day letter
 Has been subjected to months in solitary confinement, restricted access to
lawyers and family.
 Suffers from poor health and has been denied proper medical care

8. Majid Tavakkoli
Copyright majidtavakkoli.freepoliticalprisoners.net
CASE GOALS:
 Majid Tavakkoli is immediately and unconditionally released
 Until his release, Majid Tavakkoli is treated humanely according to international
human rights standards and is protected from torture and other ill-treatment and
has access to adequate medical care.
KEY TARGETS:
 Supreme Leader - Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
 Head of the Judiciary - Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
 Speaker of Parliament - Ali Larijani
 Head of the human rights council in the judiciary and a top adviser to the supreme
leader -Mohammad-Javad Larijani

9. Strategy
Engage Allies to Join the Call for Justice:
 Student Organizations
 Iranian Diaspora
 Medical Associations and Networks
 International Human Rights Organizations
 Utilize social networking and other communication channels to ensure that people
inside Iran know we stand with them in calling for freedom of expression.
Raise Profile of Case:
 Targeted approaches to niche media and selected columnists
 Engage high level influential people
Joint initiatives with key international AI sections
Direct action by AI activists targeting Iran government officials

10. Key Dates: 2011
 November 17: International Students’ Day
 December 1-4: Middle East Studies Association
Annual Meeting (Washington, DC)
 December 7: Student Day in Iran/ Anniversary of
Majid Tavakkoli’s arrest
 December 10: International Human Rights Day

11. Key Tactics
Current Actions:
 Pass the Mic (and Shine a Light) for Majid: Take up the microphone to help share Majid’s
hopes for “human rights, justice and peace” in Iran. Hold an open mic night, encouraging
people to share thoughts about human rights and freedom of expression.
 NOWRUZ Solidarity Card Action: Send Majid Tavakkoli cards of support.
 Letter Writing and Postcards: Throughout campaign, we will continue to bombard
Iranian government officials with letters and postcards. If you would like to receive post
cards. Please contact Ilona Kelly: ikelly@aiusa.org.
In Development:
 “Truthbombs” - Student Radio Series: Public awareness initiative on radio stations and
other media outlets. This is an opportunity for the public to speak to the Iran
government and call for the release of Majid. Compile “collage” of voices to play on
radio station networks.
 (Shine Some) Lights! Camera! Solidarity!: Create video recordings containing messages of
solidarity for Majid and other student activists in Iran. Record yourself reading an
excerpt from Majid Tavakkoli’s speeches of writings.
 Community murals: Work with AI members in East, especially artists and students, to
create large scale paintings symbolizing the right to self expression and an iconic image
of Majid.

12. Resources and How to Get Involved
 For more information and to take action visit: www.amnestyusa.org/majid
 To receive case updates and to connect with other activists taking action for
Majid, join the googlegroup: http://groups.google.com/group/SFC-Majid?hl=en .
 Key Contacts:
 AI Mid-Atlantic Regional Office: aiusama@aiusa.org
 Adrian Groenendyk, Special Focus Case Coordinator,
groenendyk.adrian@gmail.com
 Elise Auerbach, Iran Specialist, aiis@uchicago.edu
 Ilona Kelly, Individuals at Risk Campaigner - Africa and the Middle East,
Ikelly@aiusa.org