WRITE A LETTER TO IRANIAN OFFICIALS:

Please write to President Ahmadinejad and Chief of the Judiciary Sadegh Larijani calling for the Hikers’ release. Below, we’ve provided a template and address for each. The postage for a letter to Iran is 98¢

Alternatively, you may submit your letter via the AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL “Iran Must Release the American Hikers” Campaign.

SUGGESTED TEMPLATE FOR PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD:

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President, Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

I respectfully ask you to show the same compassion toward Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, the American hikers the Islamic Republic of Iran has detained since July 31, 2009 after they reportedly crossed an unmarked border from Iraq into Iran, that you have shown to Sarah Shourd by releasing her on bail. It is now over one year since Shane and Josh have been detained. They mean no harm to the Islamic Republic of Iran and do not deserve to be detained any longer. We are deeply concerned for their health and well-being. We are also deeply concerned that they continue to be denied their right to meet with their Iranian lawyer, regular contact with their families and regular consular visits.

The only mistake these young travelers may have made was to lose their way during a hiking vacation. I quote the words of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in urging the Iranian authorities to release Shane and Josh:

“It is difficult to escape the conclusion that (Shane and Josh) continue to be held because they are Americans and not for any legal reason. I urge the Iranian authorities not to deny them their freedom in order to express their discontent with the United States. Nations have a right to disagree but their citizens should not be made to pay the price of their differences.”

Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR LOCATION]

Please address letters to:

SUGGESTED TEMPLATE FOR THE HEAD OF THE JUDICIARY:

His Excellency Ayatollah Sadegh Ardeshir Larijani
Head of the Judiciary, Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

I respectfully ask you to show the same compassion toward Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, the American hikers the Islamic Republic of Iran has detained since July 31, 2009 after they reportedly crossed an unmarked border from Iraq into Iran, that you have shown to Sarah Shourd by releasing her on bail. It is now over one year since Shane and Josh have been detained. They mean no harm to the Islamic Republic of Iran and do not deserve to be detained any longer. We are deeply concerned for their health and well-being. We are also deeply concerned that they continue to be denied their right to meet with their Iranian lawyer, regular contact with their families and regular consular visits.

The only mistake these young travelers may have made was to lose their way during a hiking vacation. I quote the words of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in urging the Iranian authorities to release Shane and Josh:

“It is difficult to escape the conclusion that (Shane and Josh) continue to be held because they are Americans and not for any legal reason. I urge the Iranian authorities not to deny them their freedom in order to express their discontent with the United States. Nations have a right to disagree but their citizens should not be made to pay the price of their differences.”

Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR LOCATION]

Please address letters to:

Thank you for your support!