Raman Nasirizadeh, a Kurdish refugee in Denmark, at high risk of imminent deportation to Iran

Hengaw: Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Raman Nasirizadeh, a Kurdish social media activist originally from Marivan, who applied for asylum in Denmark five years ago, faces deportation to Iran following his participation in a protest staged outside the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Denmark. 

According to the report received by the Hengaw Organization For Human Rights, Raman Nasirizadeh, a 24-year-old Kurdish refugee residing in Denmark, is currently facing legal action after a complaint was filed by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, due to his participation in a protest held in front of the embassy. As a result, the potential of his deportation to Iran has become more pronounced.
 

The Public Prosecutor's Office of Copenhagen has issued an indictment against Raman Nasirizadeh, wherein he stands accused of "vandalism" committed in front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He is required to present himself in the Copenhagen court at a later date to mount his defense.
 

This indictment was issued when Raman Nasirizadeh was present in front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran simultaneously with the protests against the water shortage in Khuzestan in July 2021.
 

In a conversation with Hengaw regarding the legal case brought against him, Raman Nasirizadeh emphasized that he played no role in the incident of "painting on the pillar of the embassy," which has been cited as a basis for the accusation. He stated that he was unaware of such actions before the protest and even took the initiative to inform the police via a phone call to maintain order during the gathering.
 

In the notification sent to this Kurdish asylum seeker in December 2022, it is indicated that "the prosecutor reserves the right to request deportation." Additionally, proposed sanctions include imprisonment and a fine, underscoring the Danish judicial system's seriousness in handling this case.
 

On the other hand, According to Raman Nasirizadeh, his family has been consistently summoned by Iranian government institutions in Marivan over the past two years. They have received warnings and even threats concerning their son's social media activities.
 

According to the latest notification from the Copenhagen Prosecutor's Office, Raman Nasirizadeh is scheduled to present himself in the city's court on June 27, 2024, for the hearing of the charges against him. Given the nature of the accusations and the indictment directed at this asylum seeker, combined with the influence exerted by the Islamic Republic embassy, the prospect of his deportation to Iran carries significant gravity, thereby endangering his life.
 

In accordance with international asylum law and the European Convention on Human Rights, to which the Danish government is committed, any expulsion or deportation of refugees, particularly those with political refugee status, must align with established human rights standards. The jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights underscores that signatory states to the Convention must thoroughly assess all potential risks associated with expulsion and deportation. If such actions pose a threat to the safety of the refugee, they must be promptly halted.

Given the track record of the Iranian government in implementing inhumane punishments and the death penalty, the Danish government is obliged to refrain from operating such deportations.