Soureh Alavi and her daughter are at risk of being forcibly returned to Iran by Turkish authorities

We are submitting this affidavit to Ms. Soureh Alaviвs application for asylum. We unequivocally support Miss Soureh Alaviвs asylum claim. She would face a serious and well-founded fear of future persecution to her life and liberty should she be deported to Iran. Having fled Iran places her life in danger. Deporting Ms. Soureh Alavi to Iran will be a preparation of her arrest, torture and then stoning.

Ms. Soureh Alavi was married to a fanatic man. Her husband has been the chief and commander of the Sepah Pasdaran and his family are all involved with the secret police agency and government associations. They have great influence in the country and they break laws without any reprimand. Ms. Soureh Alavi faced a range of domestic violence by her husband. Her husband forced her to obey his patriarchal rules at home. She was beaten by her husband and because of this Soureh became physically and psychologically ill. He was violating her rights as a human being in every aspect. She had no rights in Iran to save herself and her daughter from this patriarch and barbaric behaviour.

Ms. Soureh Alaviвs faced domestic violence to the point that her husband tried to kill her. Because of her husbandвs influence in government Ms. Alavi was unable to speak up. She was unable to protest or refer to authorities. Ms. Alaviвs ex-husband not only beat and tortured her, he also beat their daughter. Their daughter still carries memory of the domestic violence. She still has nightmares with frequent incontinence (bed wetting). The torture of Ms. Alavi and her daughter got to the point that she was forced to divorce her husband.

Ms. Soureh Alavi clearly fulfils the criteria for refugee recognition detailed in relevant international instruments. Ms. Soureh Alavi would face a serious threat to her life and liberty should she be deported to Iran. Having fled Iran places her life in danger. Deporting Ms. Soureh Alavi to Iran will be a preparation of her arrest, torture and then stoning.

We strongly urges the Turkish authorities and UNHCR in Turkey to revisit the Ms. Soureh Alaviвs case and grant her and her daughter refugee recognition based on her well-founded fear of future persecution and execution.