Escaped from Iran… to a life without rights

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hunted and Forced to leave Iran. Living stateless in Indonesia for over 6 years for refusing to print Iranian Government propaganda

Amir had the courage to refuse to print government propaganda, and as a result, he and his family were forced to flee Iran and eventually live without any status or rights in Indonesia.

You can help to give this amazing family the opportunity to regain basic human rights and to flourish in Canada.

We’re raising $23,750 to pay for the costs of a sponsored resettlement to Canada (for three family members Amir, his wife Ameneh, and Matthew his son). There are already donations made and committed. This is the remaining amount.

We need your support to make this happen!

(Amir’s art)

Amir is a graphic artist who owned his own printing company in Iran. He had the courage to refuse work from the government as it pursued an agenda he disagreed with. As a result, his shop was seized by the government and workers were arrested. He and his family were hunted, forced to flee, hid in coastal towns and ultimately escaping to Indonesia.

(Amir’s thoughts about theplight of refugees)

The family is living with no rights to work, study, drive, marry, travel or to even hold a bank account. Without these basic fundamental rights it impossible for any of them to live a normal life, let alone to thrive. If they are to earn any money, it is by working illegally, at the lowest jobs. Even then they are not always paid. They are constantly the victims of extortion, without any rights or recourse to the courts, for matters such as being required to pay a years rent in advance and then being evicted.

Despite living with constant stress and uncertainty, the family has done amazing things. Mozhgan, Amir’s daughter, (for whom funds have already been raised) has established an NGO to support and advocate for refugee rights. Amir’s wife, Ameneh and son, Matthew, participate in the running of free medical clinics, gathering and distributing donations, coordinating legal support and information. They act as program administrators, project coordinators, translators, and everything in between. Over the last couple of years the family has managed to coordinate dental and optical tests for hundreds of refugees, providing glasses and medication with ad hoc donations and volunteer doctors. Amir volunteers as an Art teacher at Roshan Refugee Learning Center. He is an accomplished artist and graphic designer.

(Amir with his daughter Mozhgan holding one of his pieces of art)

Staying in Indonesia means a life in limbo, the constant struggle to survive, excluded from all aspects of regular life. Going back to Iran means prison, possible torture and death. They are desperate to find a home and lead a normal life. Though Amir’s volunteered for some time, he has been overwhelmed by the consequences his actions have had on his family. He suffers from situational depression. At times he has been unable to paint. More recently, with the forming of this group of 5 and the imminent launch of this campaign, he has started drawing once again, though he is distressed at the thought of asking others for funds to help. To do his part, he has been drawing and is mailing his work so it can be sold for this effort. (I will let all donors know when it arrives through an update to this group.)

Left to right, Mozhgan, Amir, Ameneh and Matthew

They have one hope, and this is it. A group of five Canadians will sponsor their application, and help them once in Canada, supporting them to make a new life.

But they need the money to make it happen. The government requires the group to raise $41,500 to cover the costs of the family’s first year in Canada, including accommodation, travel, food, furniture and clothing. The group of 5 have committed donations in kind to the maximum value of $5,000 and there are additional personal donations totalling $12,750. The remaining $23,750 remains to be raised.

This fundraiser is coordinated by Martha Binks and Lisa McAlpine. They led a group that successfully sponsored three Syrian refugees to Canada, a single mother and her two daughters who arrived in July 2018. All money raised goes into trust account held solely for the benefit of the refugees. This is a requirement of the Canadian Government, and a bank letter attesting to those funds accompanies the refugees’ application. Once the refugees arrive, funds are paid out in equal amounts over their first year in Canada while they get settled and established.

Yes, this is but one family, and there are millions in need.

We cannot help every refugee, but we can help this amazing family regain their basic human rights and start anew in Canada. We cannot change the world, but we can change THEIR world.

When Amir gets to Canada he plans to continue with his work as an artist and graphic artist.

Amir’s wife, Ameneh plans to continue her work as a dress designer and maker, specializing in wedding gowns. Amir’s son, Matthew, would like to continue to University. He hopes for a career in law enforcement or the justice system.

Turn this flicker of hope into reality. Every donation makes a difference and will be enormously appreciated!

You can find Mozhgan’s NGO, the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Information Centre here.

Mozhgan and RAIC

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