I am an Irish Catholic girl with a Persian last name - Maleki. My marriage has tied me to many beautiful Iranians who have spoken about love, poetry, tragedy, culture and hope. Perhaps that is why I couldn't turn the dial; I couldn't stop thinking about what happened to Esha and why she has been prevented from teaching the world more about the women of Iran and her family's incredible home. The home of my husband's family...people who long to share what is true and beautiful about Iran.
I write about this carefully. I choose my words wisely, as I know that a courageous woman prays for her release in a faraway prison.
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October 15th. Esha Momeni drove down a highway in Tehran. The 28-year-old Cal-State Northridge student began her journey in Iran two months earlier, feverishly working to complete her Masters thesis project - a documentary focusing on the Iranian Women's Movement.
Written by Esha Momeni (2007):
Iran and all that makes it unique - steep streets, narrow alleys and unmarked homes - is still the land of promise that we hold dear to our hearts. The women of this land are peacefully writing a glorious end to the bitter long story of inequality and injustice. Iran is still the covenant to those hands that would like to wash the mud of distress from the yarns of this land in the stream of peace and unity. Only then we can resurrect equality and knit white wings for the dove that represents unity.
Sirens came on. Men identifying themselves as undercover police pulled Esha over for a supposed traffic violation. They took Esha into custody. Her journey to uncover the female experience in Iran had taken a frightening turn.
Now in solitary confinement in the notorious Evin Prison, Esha faces the possibility of torture and mistreatment.
But - in the eyes of the Iranian Government - what has Esha done wrong? She has not officially been charged with any crime. Why would police arrest an Iranian-American for a traffic violation?
Iranian police searched Esha's home in the city and confiscated her laptop and video she had taken. As part of her documentary, Esha conducted interviews with Iranian women about their experiences living in the Middle East. Women who want change and equality - members of the One Million Signature Movement: a campaign to end discriminatory laws against women in Iran.
Another possible reason? Esha is a member of the Campaign for Equality, a two-year-old group that also works to end Iranian laws that discriminate against women. Apparently, many supporters of the campaign have been arrested and Iranian authorities have worked to shut down the website.
According to Amnesty International, Officials of Iran's Revolutionary Court told the family no information about the case will be released until the investigation is complete.
Esha holds dual citizenship with the United States and Iran (which does not recognize dual citzenship). And the United States, having no diplomatic representation in Iran, must work through the Swiss Embassy to gain information about the case. Previously, the Iranian government has said the arrest of a U.S.-Iranian citizen is an internal matter.
In a statement on the Cal-State Northridge website, President Jolene Koester said:
She is a student invested in learning and understanding current conditions in the country of her family's origin. Anyone who values knowledge and the role of academic inquiry in shedding light on the human condition should be concerned.
Amnesty International is monitoring Esha's situation, as friends and family work for her release.
PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK AND SIGN THE PETITION TO HELP FREE ESHA!
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