IRANIAN FILM-MAKER JAFAR PANAHI

That this House notes that Iranian pro-democracy activist and internationally acclaimed film-maker Jafar Panahi was arrested following the mass protests of summer 2009; further notes that he has now begun a hunger strike in Tehran's Evin prison in response to the humiliating treatment he has reported; and therefore urges the Government to support the immediate release of Panahi and all political prisoners, whilst opposing all sanctions or prospect of military action against Iran and attacks on the country, which the regime uses to justify its suppression of grassroots movements for democracy and progressive social change.