PEN Canada: Program on Siamack Pourzand

M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EVENT DATE:

June 25, 2002

For more information contact:

Isobel Harry, PEN Canada, (416) 703-8448 ext. 22, iharry@pencanada.ca
Larry Siems, PEN American Center, (212) 334-1660 ext. 105, lsiems@pen.org

PEN Centres, BOOKER-PRIZE AUTHOR MARGARET ATWOOD AND LEADING IRANIAN HUMAN
RIGHTS LAWYER MEHRANGIZ KAR SOUND ALARM OVER JOURNALIST JAILED IN IRAN

WHO & WHAT:

Booker-Prize literary award winner Margaret Atwood will join internationally
renowned human rights lawyer and writer Mehrangiz Kar, PEN Canada President
Reza Baraheni and representatives of PEN Canada and PEN American Center to
appeal for the immediate release of Ms. Kar's husband, an Iranian journalist
and film critic who was sentenced this past month to 11 years in prison.

It is widely believed that Siamak Pourzand was detained in connection with
his position as manager of the Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye Honari-ye Tehran, a
cultural center for writers, artists, and intellectuals, and for his
articles critical of the Islamic regime; PEN fears that his conviction on
charges of "undermining state security through his links with monarchists
and counter-revolutionaries" was based on confessions that were extracted
under duress during the months he was held in incommunicado detention.
Concerns for Pourzand have been mounting following reports that he has
suffered one or more heart attacks since his arrest, and that he has not
been allowed access to adequate and necessary medical attention.

At the press conference Ms. Kar will speak along with founding president of
PEN Canada Margaret Atwood and current president Reza Baraheni.
Representatives of the Canadian and American PEN Centers will also brief the
press on PEN's concerns for a number of other writers, journalists, and
translators currently being held in Iranian prisons in violation of their
right to freedom of expression.

WHEN:

Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 11:00 A.M.

WHERE:

Round Room, Massey College
4 Devonshire Place, Toronto, Canada
Refreshments will be served

**The information contained in this autolist item is the sole responsibility
of PEN Canada and PEN American Center**