Omid Memorial
The men and women whose stories you can read on this page are now all citizens of a silent city named Omid ("hope" in Persian). There, victims of persecution have found a common life whose substance is memory.
Omid's citizens were of varying social origins, nationalities, and religions; they held diverse, and often opposing, opinions and ideologies. Despite the differences in their personality, spirit, and moral fiber, they are all united in Omid by their natural rights and their humanity. What makes them fellow citizens is the fact that one day each of them was unfairly and arbitrarily deprived of his or her life. At that moment, while the world watched the unspeakable happen, an individual destiny was shattered, a family was destroyed, and an indescribable suffering was inflicted.
Mansur Arvand (Arwand)…
Mansur Arvand, a well-known athlete from Mahabad, was very proud to be a Kurd and always wore Kurdish clothing.
Bahram Ahmadi…
At the time of his arrest, Bahram was only 17. His main activity was to distribute CDs, which drew attention to insulting statements against Sunni beliefs by Shi’a religious figures.
Reza Sabzevari…
a police officer charged with “sexual offenses”, while there was no evidence to prove his charges.