To: UNHCR Ankara-Turkey   Ladies and Gentlemen:   We would like to express our concern for a great number of Iranian Refugees that have been residing in Van, Turkey. It seems that the UNHCR offices of Turkey are not acknowledging the very real dangers this group faces when deported back to Iran. The lack of assistance given to this particular group is resulting in great human suffering – once deported to Iran a great portion are arrested, tortured, and/or executed. Multitudes of refugees have fled Iran to surrounding nations. Van, Turkey has been one such destination. Many Iranian Refugees live in hiding there, often in excessive poverty. Their lives are very uncertain, as a life in hiding will be, offering little security for the present and future, and have driven many to take their own lives. We have alerted United Nations Representatives of the consequences of the UNHCR-Turkey’s perpetual denial of refugee status for individuals and families that have fled Iran. We urge United Nations Representatives to consider the human rights implications of not acknowledging the plight of this refugee population. We remember friends whose frustration and panic resulted in taking their own lives. Javad Azimi and Shahram Jelozadeh of Belejik, Turkey have consumed poisons to finish their dangerous lives. Ali Solaimanizadeh of Afion also made an attempt to end his life by consuming a toxic quantity of medication, but was revived. He again made an attempt to receive a referral by the UNHCR, was denied again. He made another attempt to end his life, and succeeded. The frustration and hopelessness that is the constant reality of so many Iranian refugees living in Turkey also led the hand of Kamran Farhmand, who killed himself because he foresaw no opportunity to rescue himself.  Miss Holimeh Azaram, case number A-7980, is a mother of three children and was born in Iran 1970. Ms. Azaram was involved in some political activities supporting human rights in Iran, which ensued in Iranian authorities pursuing and attempting to prosecute her. She fled Iran with her children and surrendered herself to UN authorities in Turkey. She applied for refugee status, was denied, and was to be sent back to Iran. Eluding Turkish Police, Ms. Azaram and her children were forced into hiding in an undisclosed location. Mr Seyyedmansour Ayyoubi, case number A-6495, born in 1967, his wife, Roghieh, born in 1969, and their daughter fled Iran to save their lives. Mr. Ayyoubi was known for his political activities and was allegedly a member of the PDKI. The Ayyoubi family surrendered themselves to the UN, applied for a UNHCR referral, and was denied. UNHCR officials tell Mr. Ayyoubi that his file is closed, but are not forthcoming with information of why this is so. Turkish authorities are in the process of forcing Mr. Ayyoubi and his family to return to Iran, where he and his wife will certainly face prosecution and/or execution. We beseech the United Nations to consider the implications facing these families if no action is taken to protect them. We urge the re-assessment of referral applications to the UNHCR, for the Ayyoubi family and the many others who are denied. At present, we are told that applications to the UNHCR cannot be reconsidered, and we find this to be detrimental to UNHCR’s mission of preserving life and promoting safety for refugees.

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