The World Admires Ganji’s Resistance

Farhad Mahdavi, Rooz Online:

While imprisoned journalist Akbar Ganji’s is starving in his solitary confinement cell in Evin prison, the world is holds him in esteem for his bravery and struggle for his rights.

In a magnificent ceremony, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and a group of Italians awarded Ganji the Golden Pen of Freedom award and respectfully bowed to his suffering and resistance. WAN has praised Ganji’s sacrifices and resistance and stressed that the Iranian jailed journalist should be a cherished symbol of bravery for all journalists around the globe. Iranian students too have organized gatherings to commemorate their brave writer and journalist. But inside the prison walls, Ganji’s captors began to starve the journalist by denying him regular meals. READ MORE

Masoumeh Shafiee, Ganji’s wife tells “Rooz” that the Iranian government is not moved by such awards. They have no understanding of the price they have to pay for mistreating Ganji. She complains about the deafening silence, disappointment that has surrounded this case. She says, “we feel we do not have a supporter or a protector to seek. It seems that we have lost everything.” She knows that the Iranian press is not allowed to publish reports on him, even when it is about students who get together to commemorate the imprisoned writer. Ganji’s wife says that the last time she visited him in jail, he was still shockingly thin and weak, and it seemed as if he is restricted from receiving his needed medical treatment and even food. She again complains that Iran’s judiciary officials do not comprehend the dilemma.

The organizers of WAN know that Ganji is fighting for freedom of speech and that the world is pursuing his plea. In their statements, the international media have repeatedly called for his immediate and unconditional release. But to no avail

Akbar Ganji is well aware of the prizes and awards that have been bestowed on him. He keeps himself abreast on what is going on in the world. His wife is heart-warmed and energized with the international support that is provided. But yet one wonders how is Ganji going to survive without food and water? Have they really banned him from food and medicine?

In her latest interview, Ganji’s wife stated that her husband had been denied food and medicine for two days, on her visit. Ganji himself has told his wife and his lawyer that during the fasting month of Ramadan, he was only given three kettles of boiling water in the afternoons as his food stipend.

There was a time when Iran and the name of Abbas Kiarostami, a renowned film director, was what the world heard about most on Iran. Today, however, Iran’s name is tied with Ganji and his resistance. Ganji is a treasure who may be longing for a few drops of water now. The world has risen to pay respect to him. He is not alone in his struggle.