New Zealand’s two Anglican Archbishops have asked for mercy for Ali Panah, who is now in the 35th day of a fast he began in a last-ditch bid to avoid deportation to Iran.<\/p>\n
And the Archbishops, Brown Turei and David Moxon, have endorsed the work of Anthony Dancer, the Anglican Church’s Social Justice Commissioner, and others who are campaigning on Mr Panah’s behalf.<\/p>\n
Ali Panah, who is Christian, and who had been a member of the Anglican parish of St James, Orakei for two years before his arrest, started his fast following the Minister of Immigration’s refusal to grant him refugee status.<\/p>\n
He has been held in Mt Eden Prison for 18 months, having refused to sign documents that would lead to his deportation to Iran.<\/p>\n
As a Christian, he faces grave risks if he returns to his homeland.<\/p>\n