VUB students launch large-scale video campaign for release of Dr Djalali

10 December 10:00 - International Human Rights Day

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the students of the Study Circle Free Research (STKVO) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are calling on fellow students, lecturers and well-wishers to share a video message addressed to the Iranian government on social media. With this action they want to push again for the release of Dr Ahmadreza Djalali, the VUB visiting professor imprisoned and sentenced to death in Iran.  STKVO chair Bram Moriën: “Despite enormous efforts from the world community, the situation of Professor Ahmadreza Djalali remains extremely critical. The recent stay of execution proved that our actions are effective. Therefore, we must continue to take initiatives to keep the fate of Professor Djalali in the spotlight as much as possible.”

Participants are asked to record a short video in which they ask the Iranian government to release the doctor, in their own words, and to put that message on their social media channel on Thursday 10 December at around 10.00, with the hashtags #PeopleForAhmadreza and #SaveAhmadreza. 

The students themselves have already made videos for inspiration and created a series of tips for those who want to make a video to support the action (see below - added to this mail). 

“Any manner of public interest in the fate of Prof Dr Djalali is a step closer to his homecoming. Apart from the diplomatic efforts that are taking place, this is currently one of the only things we can do. If as many people as possible post a film on social media, this is a message to the Iranian authorities that cannot be ignored,” Moriën adds.

“It is absolutely marvellous that our students, too, continue to engage in various ways to get Ahmadreza released. Every action counts and the battle is far from over. I am certainly proud of the entire VUB community and hope that the general public will also support the initiative en masse,” says VUB rector Caroline Pauwels. 

Contact

Study Circle Free Research

STKVO@vub.be

Bram Moriën

^{The world needs you}

^{The Vrije Universiteit Brussel assumes its scientific and social responsibility with love and decisiveness. That is why VUB launched the platform De Wereld Heeft Je Nodig (The World Needs You). Here, ideas and actions are brought together, started up and developed around six Ps. The first P stands for People, because that’s what it’s all about: giving people equal opportunities, prosperity, welfare and respect. Peace stands for fighting injustice, big and small, in the world. Prosperity combats poverty and inequality. Planet represents actions on biodiversity, climate, air quality, animal rights ... With Partnership, the VUB is looking for joint actions to make the world a better place. The sixth and last P is for Poincaré, the French philosopher Henri Poincaré, from whom VUB derives its motto that thinking can submit to nothing, except the facts themselves. VUB is an ‘urban engaged university’, strongly anchored in Brussels and Europe and working according to the principles of free research. http://vub.be/theworldneedsyou}