At this event held by the Tri-Cities Amnesty International Organization on December 10, 2023, at the Coquitlam Library, and covered by Skyrise Media, numerous social, civil, and political activists participated. The audience heard of many heart-breaking stories of people killed by the Iranian regime.

The program took shape through the contributions of these individuals: Members of Amnesty International for the event including Aomar,Hazel,Joy, Mary,Farad Soofi, and Erik and the members of Iranians for Justice including Reza Hoshmand, Bahroz Vosog and Mahbubeh Mojtahed.

To begin, a representative of the Indigenous people of the Coquitlam region read a message and welcomed the attendees. He emphasized the need for collective efforts, dialogue, and mutual care to strive for a better life for the next generations.

Following that, a member symbolically lit a candle, surrounded by a barbed wire, expressing a wish for the innocent to be freed from prison.

Next, Farhad Soofi, a member of Amnesty International, read a statement and outlined the goals of the group. He touched on the social and political challenges in Iran, including the execution of his brother, and shared the reasons that led him to join the organization and advocate for human rights. Overwhelmed by intense emotions, he couldn't complete the statement, and the program host continued reading the text.

A documentary film was then screened, addressing the execution of Iranian prisoners in 1988 and the reasons why these killings are still considered crimes against humanity.

Following that, a panel discussion with the families of victims and former Iranian prisoners was held, moderated by Mahboubeh Mojtahed. Panellists, holding pictures of victims, shared memories of their captivity and murders.

The families on the panel for justice included: Homa Jahanshahe, Afsaneh Chaechi, Nastran Soofi, Mostafa, Tahmeneh Sadagi, Mohammad Payganbarzadeh and Mahbubeh Mojtahed.

Tahmineh Sadeghi from Amnesty International urged for increased pressure on the Iranian and Canadian governments to prevent Iranian officials from coming to Canada for a better life.

The program continued with musical performances by Firoozeh and Keyvan.

Bonita Zarrillo, Member of Parliament, delivered a brief speech, initially addressing human rights and later pointing out the issue of systematic killings of Indigenous children in Canada. She mentioned her party's efforts to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization and protect Iranians in Canada.

Next, a video message from Ketty Nivyabandi, a Burundian poet and human rights activist living in exile in Canada, was broadcast, emphasizing the importance of collective action for human rights.

The program concluded with appreciation for Farhad Soofi, a member of Amnesty International and a Iranian-Canadian social activist, who received a bouquet of flowers. An old film of Farhad was shown, illustrating his years of social activism and efforts in the field of human rights.

The program ended with two poems recited by Ramin Mahjouri and Mahboubeh, respectively, expressing gratitude to those who collaborated in the program.

Journalist: Majid Mahichi

Skyrise Media Society