Iran Document: Journalist (& Political Prisoner) Ahmed Zeidabadi Accepts World Press Freedom Prize

This week Ahmed Zeidabadi --- journalist, academic, political analyst and Seecretary General of Office for Strengthening Unity --- accepted, in absentia, the World Press Freedom Prize of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

Zeidabadi was detained just after the June 2009 Iranian election and featured in the Tehran "show trial" of more than 100 defendants. He was sentenced in December 2009 to six years in prison and a lifetime ban on political and social activities. He is currently out of prison but could be summoned to serve his sentence at any time.

This was his statement of acceptance:

I would like to greet the honourable Director General of UNESCO, as well as the members of the Prize Jury for their efforts and for the honour they have bestowed upon me with the award of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

I feel sad and apologetic for not being able to draft a message worthy of the occasion and your gathering. As you may be aware, the Revolutionary Court in addition to sentencing me to six years' imprisonment, five years of exile and a lifetime ban on political, social and journalistic activity has also banned me forever from any writing and speaking. Therefore, any message by me would add to my suffering and that of my family.

Despite that restriction, I would like to make it clear that in the performance of my profession, I had no means but my pen and my speech and that in using those means, I never went beyond the narrow and limited confines of the Iranian government's laws and regulations. But, in violation of their own laws and regulations, they have imposed pain and suffering beyond my endurance -- pain and suffering resembling those of a person who is crucified for weeks or buried alive.

While in prison, I constantly strive to forgive, but I cannot forget.

Finally, in accepting this Prize which is in reality a recognition of all prisoners of opinion in my country and my imprisoned or exiled colleagues, I dedicate it to my family and in particular to my wife and children. In addition to the psychological pains of these two years, they have for the past ten years had to live with the dread of an expected "knock on the door." With every unexpected knock on the door, their fragile and innocent hearts were agitated.

I also dedicate this Prize to the mother of Sohrab Arabi [killed on 15 June 2009 by security forces] and all other heartbroken mothers whose sons never returned home. I dedicate it to all tearful mothers, sisters, daughters and the children who live with the pain of having their loved ones in prison.

For remembering us, God will remember and reward you.