The taste of freedom

We covered this story back in 2007. It seems to have moved to a happy ending now, in 2009.

Ali Panah was granted refugee status following a third hearing by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority.

Mr Panah has said he would have faced persecution and possibly the death penalty in Iran as a Muslim who had converted to Christianity.

He was released on bail in September 2007 after a 53-day hunger strike at Auckland remand prison.

Welcome to New Zealand, Ali Panah. It's a pity New Zealand was nearly as dangerous to your health as Iran when it comes to support for Christian beliefs. After that incredible hunger strike, freedom must taste so sweet. Congratulations.

Mr Panah sought asylum when he arrived in New Zealand and was detained for 20 months for refusing to sign documents that would lead to his deportation to Iran.

Some politicians questioned how genuine his conversion was, but he had staunch allies in the Anglican Church, particularly from Archbishop David Moxon.

Mr Panah's lawyer Grant Illingworth told a media conference at a Christian college in Auckland today that the authority recognised that he was in greater peril in Iran because of the publicity.

"Because of the publicity that was created as a result of the fast that Ali went on, it is absolutely inevitable that the Iranian authorities would know about Ali's position."

I seem to recall that one aspect of this case was that a gay Iranian was treated differently - he "came out" whilst in Auckland and was subsequently given residency because it was seen as dangerous to go back to Iran having declared himself gay. Mr Panah did not appear to get the same consideration. The wheels have taken some time to turn, but they have turned.

Related Link: Hunger Strike Has Made Point

Original Post back in 2007: Iranian Hunger Striker given bail