Join us in calling on the Islamic Republic of Iran to
immediately charge or release Dr. Kamiar Alaei and Dr. Arash Alaei.
We, the undersigned health professionals, HIV/AIDS
advocates, and
concerned individuals, call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to either
immediately charge or release Dr. Kamiar Alaei and Dr. Arash Alaei -
two brothers internationally known for their work on HIV/AIDS - who
were detained without charge by Iranian security forces in late June
2008. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
The Alaei brothers have
been leaders in addressing problems relating to drug use, with a focus
on the spread of HIV/AIDS. They have played a key role in putting these
issues on Iran's national health care agenda. They have worked closely
with government and religious leaders to ensure support for education
campaigns on HIV transmission, including those targeting youth, and for
HIV and harm reduction programs in prisons. They have also worked to
share their expertise with neighboring countries by holding training
workshops for Afghan and Tajik health professionals.
Dr. Kamiar
Alaei is a doctoral candidate at the SUNY Albany School of Public
Health in Albany, New York. Dr. Arash Alaei is a former Director of the
International Education and Research Cooperation of the Iranian
National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Neither
of the men is known to have any involvement in political activities.
Therefore,
we urge the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran either to charge
these physicians and provide them with access to counsel and family, or
release them immediately so that they can continue their important
medical and public health work for the betterment of the people of Iran
and the world.
Signed by:
