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Iranian hunger striker has heart attack outside US embassy
Emma Rowley02.09.09
A woman on hunger strike outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square for more than a month has suffered a heart attack.
Farzaneh Dadkhah, 41, was last night in a specialist heart hospital amid fears that her prolonged period of starvation had triggered heart problems.
She is one of 12 people who were today on their 37th day without food, in a plea for international action to help thousands of Iranian dissidents housed in a camp in Iraq.
About 3,500 people live at Camp Ashraf, which was set up near Baghdad in the Eighties to house opponents of the Iranian regime.
Iraqi security forces entered the camp to take control on 28 July, leaving at least eight dead and hundreds injured according to Amnesty International.
Ms Dadkhah, who lives in London, was admitted to University College Hospital on Monday night after she began experiencing chest pains.
Doctors placed her on a drip of fluids, salts and sugar.
Azadeh Hosseini, spokeswoman for the protesters, said: “Farzaneh was just complaining of not feeling very well and then when they took her to hospital they checked her heart and said she might have had a possible heart attack.”
Nonetheless the Iranian mother-of-two is expected to return to the strike outside the embassy despite being severely malnourished.
“She is very determined,” said Ms Hosseini.
“She was in prison for many years inside Iran so she knows what could happen to people at Ashraf. She has put her health — and life — at risk.”
Reader views (24)
I would like to send my admirations and respect to those hunger strikers fasting outside USA Embassy in London. There are here to prove that humanity in not dead and unlit we have such brave heroines and heroes in our community, there would be no room for the terrorist regime of Iran to rule the world. There are here to confirm no one has right to kill and maim and held innocent civilians as hostages for long duration in Iraq in response to request from the mullahs of Iran. I wish them nothing but success in their struggle. I hope the responsible politicians act quickly and promptly before it is too late?
- Mohammed Reza, Newcastle up on Tyne England
We have made a mess in Iraq, WE CAN NOT LEAVE EVERYTHING AS IT IS THERE. WE MUST TAKE ACTION AND PROTECT THOSE PEOPLE!
THEY ARE THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO STOP ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM TO EXPAND!
- Meno, London
It must take a lot of courage to go on hunger strike for 37 days. I admire her.
- Emma, London, UK
Lord Corbett said in a news conference held in front of the US Embassy earlier this month reiterated that the US has a legal obligation to protect the dissidents in Ashraf. This is a humanitarian issue. If Eddie, Danny or Sue do not appreciate the injustice that has forced a mother of two to hunger protest as the very last mean to show her outrage to the crime that has taken place in Ashraf and to the silence by the media and the governments who have a responsibility as the occupiers of Iraq to protect these dissidents (based on the Geneva Conventions). What these brave people in front of the US embassy are doing is very humanitarian and very admirable for us to wake up and join in preventing another Rwanda. Not to mention that Ashraf and the dissidents there are the only obstacle against the expansion of religious fanaticism that Iran is the heartland for. If it was not for Ashraf, the world would have not known about the clandestine nuclear programs of the Iranian government and we would be facing a supper power now that could have been equipped by atomic weapon!! Ashraf is the only source of inspiration for millions of youths and women who participated in the recent uprisings demanding freedom, which is the reason why the Iranian government is putting pressure on its proxies in Iraq to dismantle Ashraf. The International community has much benefit in securing Ashraf. In view of this we all owe to Farzaneh and others who are risking their lives to open our eyes.
- Kaveh, London
Sue R. The only thing the US asks for is enough ground to bury our dead. There is no colonialism in our recent history nor has the idea been to stay in Iraq. I think you may be speaking of the history of Britian not the USA.
- T A Paul, West Palm Beach,Fl.USA
She is using her body as the only weapon left for Iranians who want to defend themselves, against a portion of the world conspiring to keep the blood thirsty and barbaric regime of Iran in power. She doesn't have billions of barrels of oil or an economic benefit, but she does have her blood and life which always prevails before god almoghty.
- Sahand K, Washington DC
First of all, under the 4th Geneva Convention, coalition forces are supposed to be protecting the people of Ashraf City. On July 28, Iraqi forces raided Camp Ashraf on Khamenei's demand and killed 11 people, took 36 people hostages and wounded about 500 people and the Coalition forces and US aren't doing ANYTHING.
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE OUTSIDE THE US EMBASSY ON HUNGER STRIKE!
I think the fact that these people went on hunger strike shows what a price they are willing to pay for the freedom of their country and also, to be honest, if it was anyone else, they would probably retaliate against those responsible. but they are inficting this on themselves which shows their dignity and values which are quite respectable.
So to those of you who are making comments without even looking at the big picture, I have one thing to say, go educate yourself then speak, and secondly what would you do if the only true hope your country had for freedom and democracy was targeted by a raid?!? would you be willing to make such a sacrifice for the future of your country?!? Then please respect those who are willing to do that.
- Yasi, Washington DC
It really disgusts me reading some of the comments that people post on these articles.
People like Farzaneh are fighting for freedom of the main organisation against the dictatorship of Iran, PMOI.
- Ali Goldasht, London
I wish her well and hope that the problems she and her loved ones are facing are over soon so that she may then return to her home in good health.
- Ellie, Hammersmith, London
Bandora Etrog, london
I am fed up with these parasites lolling about London with their grievances. Do it somewhere else where the people gives a damn
- Grim Reaper, Hell
She made the choice - the consequences follow the choice. Governments can no more cave into this kind of blackmail than any other, else we'd see an endless succession of hunger strikers for every cause under the Sun, and a few more besides.
Seems odd to me that we argue incessantly that governments should live in the real world - and then advocate that they should submit to emotional blackmail for this or that cause.
- Rogan, Irving
I didn't support the invasion of Iraq, and I was glad when the Brits pulled out, and I hope the Yanks pull out completely soon. The Iraqis want to run their own affairs, well let them. We must acknowledge their sovereignty and let tehm get on with it. I'm sorry, but the days of colonialism are over. (or should be).
- Sue R, London
I can just about get my head around Iranian women being killed by the brutal regime in Iran, but what astounds me is that the US and British governments are complicit in a lot of their deaths.
Here is another Iranian woman paying the price of freedom in her homeland. Unfortunately her blood is on the hands of the West who are determined to keep the mullahs of Iran happy.
- Krazykangaroo, London
...because Sue R their current plight is our responsibility. It was because of "our" fight in Iraq that they now find themselves in the circumstances they are in.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
Why don't the Iranian Government help out? It's to do with their nationals? Oh, I forgot, they are muhajadeen who were working against the Iranian government. Well, live by the sword as they say. (I want to see the Iranian Govt overthrown by the way, but I don't see why we should be involved in their internal fights.).
- Sue R, London
For the hard of thinking, Camp Ashraf is near Baghdad, in IRAQ! Try reading the story, Frank, Graham et al. Why do you think a protest outside the "US Embassy" might work? Might not the US have some sway over the fate of the several thousand people living there?
Since 2003 the occupants of Camp Ashraf have been protected under the Geneva Convention. Until 1st January this year the Camp was under the control of the US Military, and then transfered to the Iraqi State. Rightly the residents were screened for past terrorist offences and generally disarmed, but the overwhelming majority are political refugees in the first place now living in an atmosphere of intimidation and abuse from the Iraqi police, all while the US military looks on from their maintained presence.
Why the London embassy? Probably because it is better for coverage than outside the Amsterdam or Warsaw embassy, for example.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
first, read the article. the camp in in iraq, not iran. second, who says she is on benefits? and so what if she is anyway? third, are you just inhuman, racist or stupid? or all three? i've seen the results of persecution, oppression, torture and war in various parts of the world. if you or someone you cared about was in this situation you would be shouting out demanding help. who are you to criticise people for trying to make other peoples' lives better? the discraceful comments posted here say so much more about you as individuals than it does about the people protesting. you sum up all that is wrong in our society: intolerance, bigotry and a lack of education.
- Bandora Etrog, london
So I am working today (its my lunch hour) to keep this person on benefits dossing outside the US embassy. Why do I bother ?
- Grim Reaper, Hell
For greater love has no one than this that he would lay down his life or his friends.
I admire them, I had given up hope to live to see men and women who still beleive in that
God bless them. I keep them in my prayers until they could see their friends go free.
Thank you Emma
Azad
- Azad Irani, London
How brave she is to sacrifice her life for others in need.
What a wonderful world it would be, if everyone had such a strong sense of humanity.
I wish her every luck and I hope those in power open their eyes before it's too late.
- Hamid, London
That's right camp outside the US Embassy, they have real sway in Iran. Here is an idea, why not camp outside the Iranian, Chinese or Russian Embassy?
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
I think I must have lost the plot. I am very sorry to read about this woman´s medical condition, but I do not not see how going on hunger strike outside the US embassy in London is going to help dissidents in Iran.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
That's one less hospital bed for someone with a genuine heart condition. She should be prosecuted for attempting suicide.
- Danny, NW5
She's obviously willing to die for her cause so let her.
- Eddie, London
