Iranian Refugee Sets Fire to Himself
paster | 05.09.2003 23:00 | Anti-racism | Migration
Israfil Shiri has died after five days of terrible suffering in Wythenshawe Hospital Burns Unit Manchester.
On Thursday 27th August Israfil Shiri, a destitute young Iranian man poured petrol over his body and set fire to himself in the offices of Refugee Action in Manchester. He suffered burns to 80% of his body. He had told his friends he would do it to prove that this government cares more about animals than people fleeing torture and persecution.
"If they cut off all my benefits, prevent me from working and make me homeless, I too will commit suicide". These were the words of another Iranian asylum seeker who, along with 30 other people, attended a meeting on Monday to discuss last Thursday's tragedy and how we can prevent it from happening again.
Israfil Shiri, 30, who has been on life support at Wythenshawe Hospital Burns Unit following the suicide attempt at the Manchester offices of Refugee Action last week, died early on the morning of the third September.
On Thursday 27th August Israfil Shiri, a destitute young Iranian man poured petrol over his body and set fire to himself in the offices of Refugee Action in Manchester. He suffered burns to 80% of his body. He had told his friends he would do it to prove that this government cares more about animals than people fleeing torture and persecution.
"If they cut off all my benefits, prevent me from working and make me homeless, I too will commit suicide". These were the words of another Iranian asylum seeker who, along with 30 other people, attended a meeting on Monday to discuss last Thursday's tragedy and how we can prevent it from happening again.
Israfil Shiri, 30, who has been on life support at Wythenshawe Hospital Burns Unit following the suicide attempt at the Manchester offices of Refugee Action last week, died early on the morning of the third September.
In Memory of Israfil Shiri 1973-2003
Another innocent victim of the UK's 'Unjust and inhumane' Immigration laws
In Iran, he had worked in a section of the military and he fled the country when he and his family were persecuted because he refused to follow orders that involved harming other innocent people. He suffered from a complicated medical condition and since his application for asylum was rejected over a year ago, he had been refused any medical treatment, had been made homeless from his Salford council flat and had received no benefits or support.
His friend described how before the suicide attempt Israfil was in great pain due to his illness and was terrified of being sent back to Iran. He had lost all hope.
Reza Moradi of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees commenting on the incident said, "Once you see you are facing deportation to jailers of the Islamic regime - you can't have a solicitor, you have no house to live in, you can't work, that is enough for people to commit suicide, or do something like this."
This tragedy comes only a month after 2 other incidents in which one Iranian asylum seeker sowed his mouth and lips together and another went on hunger strike.
An open letter has been launched and the Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers calling for local politicians and leaders to meet with the Iranian Community of asylum seekers in Greater Manchester.
Another innocent victim of the UK's 'Unjust and inhumane' Immigration laws
In Iran, he had worked in a section of the military and he fled the country when he and his family were persecuted because he refused to follow orders that involved harming other innocent people. He suffered from a complicated medical condition and since his application for asylum was rejected over a year ago, he had been refused any medical treatment, had been made homeless from his Salford council flat and had received no benefits or support.
His friend described how before the suicide attempt Israfil was in great pain due to his illness and was terrified of being sent back to Iran. He had lost all hope.
Reza Moradi of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees commenting on the incident said, "Once you see you are facing deportation to jailers of the Islamic regime - you can't have a solicitor, you have no house to live in, you can't work, that is enough for people to commit suicide, or do something like this."
This tragedy comes only a month after 2 other incidents in which one Iranian asylum seeker sowed his mouth and lips together and another went on hunger strike.
An open letter has been launched and the Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers calling for local politicians and leaders to meet with the Iranian Community of asylum seekers in Greater Manchester.
paster
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Bristol suicide attempt
03.09.2003 17:35
12:07 - 03 September 2003
A Man poured petrol over himself and threatened to set himself on fire in a protest outside the BBC in Bristol today. Police in riot gear rushed him, while spraying him with fire extinguishers.
He was then wrestled to the ground and arrested.
The man turned up at the corporation's Whiteladies Road studios at about 10.45am.
He was carrying a green petrol can in one hand and a lighter in the other.
He was shouting in Arabic but it was not clear what he was protesting about.
A fire crew, an ambulance and police arrived and a crowd grew as the drama unfolded.
A witness, who did not wish to be named, was at the BBC building when the man arrived.
He said: "He was shouting in Arabic.
"He was on the grass outside the BBC and started pouring petrol over himself.
"He had a petrol can in one hand and a lighter in the other and was threatening to set himself on fire.
"The police arrived almost immediately."
The crowd applauded after police and fire officers dealt with the situation. After the man was arrested, Detective Inspector Steve Kendall, said: "We received a call saying a gentleman was outside the BBC with a petrol can and a lighter and was threatening to set himself on fire.
"He didn't appear to speak any English and it was impossible to communicate with him.
"Considering the situation, it was decided to act immediately.
"Officers wearing fire protective gear approached and safely overpowered the man.
"He was arrested without any injury and is now in police custody.
"We will now be trying to establish the motive for his actions."
There were a number of similar protests in June by Iranians protesting against a raid in Paris by French authorities against opposition group, the People's Mujahedeen of Iran, in which more than 150 people were arrested.
In two days of protests, four people turned themselves into human torches near the French Embassy in London.
Two police officers were taken to hospital after receiving injuries during the protests.
In one of the incidents, a man set himself on fire before walking towards the embassy in Knightsbridge.
a
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Apparently different causes of protests
05.09.2003 19:32
The reason for the protests outside the French embassy was that the French arrested 159 members of an Iranian opposition group, the National Liberation Army of Iran, to protect their economic partnerships with the Fascist Islamic dictatorship government in Iran, which routinely uses rape and torture against detainees.
rezapahlavi