Letter to President Biden Urging Priority in Negotiations to Freeing Baquer and Siamak Namazi

We reported last week on the effort by a group of Americans who are former staff of UNICEF and the UN to urge the US Administration to move forward strongly in pressing for the release of Siamak Namazi from Evin Prison in Tehran, and permission for both Siamak and his father, Baquer, to leave Iran.  Although the freedom of both father and son is important to members around the globe and irrespective of nationality, we dediced that a letter to the US President would be stronger if it came from American citizens and residents.  

In total 111 former staff have signed the letter below.  The original has been sent to President Biden.  Copies are going to Secretary of State Blinken, and the chairpersons and members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  

Many thanks to those members who signed and to those who considered signing.   Please see the responses by Baquer Namazi and Babak Namazi (Siamak's brother) below the letter.

For those who reached out to former UNICEF and UN colleagues who are not members of XUNICEF, and may not see this article, please send them a copy along with our sincere thanks. 

Baquer Namazi wrote:

Dear Tom and all friends,

I cannot find words to express my deep feelings for this splendid collective effort, which has my everlasting gratitude.

This absolutely wonderful endeavour gives me and my family a very warm feeling that we are not alone and we have the best friends in the world to stand by us.

God bless you Tom and all those who signed the letter. Please do convey my deepest thanks for the heart warming support of these dear, dear friends and former colleagues. I am confident it will make an impact and hopefully stir the President and his team to take concrete action.

Baquer


Babak Namazi wrote:

Dear Tom and all UNICEF colleagues.

I'm completely overwhelmed by this incredible amount of support you are all showing. It is certainly an extremely difficult situation my family is going through but throughout one thing has become apparent to me: the selfless, sustained and unconditional support you have all shown throughout this ordeal. What amazing humanity and kindness we are shown by you all against the evil and dark forces of the IRGC.

I can only thank you all from the bottom of my heart and say how grateful we all are.

At the same time I'm really proud of my dad that has such amazing friends and colleagues whom obviously have been impressed by the integrity of my dad.

Many thanks

With respect and appreciation,

Babak