Cycling for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) is a campaign launched in response to the violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities against peaceful demonstrations after the election on June 12, 2009.

The CHRI initiative was first supported primarily by Iranian students and professors from University of Toronto. But it wasn’t long before Canadian students and activists also joined in on the campaign.

Now, CHRI is a large, diverse, and non-partisan group of students, academics, and concerned citizens whose principal objective is to support those arrested while expressing their right to demonstrate peacefully.

It is the responsibility of Iranians to reform Iran into a vibrant democracy. However, it is the responsibility of all citizens of the world to protest violation of human rights.
As such, we invite people of all nations and backgrounds to join us for the event or to sign the online petition.

With your support we can make a difference.

CYCLING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN is supported by:

- The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran
- Solidarity with Iran (Toronto)
- Solidarity with Iran (Vancouver)

Individuals:
- Professor Payam Akhavan, Professor of Law at McGill University
- Professor Ronald Deibert, Director of the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto
- Professor Amir Hassanpour, Associate Professor at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto
- Professor Ramin Jahanbegloo, Professor of Political Science from the University of Toronto
- Professor Haideh Moghissi, Associate Dean at York University
- Professor Saeed Rahnema, Professor of Political Science at York University

Frequently Asked Questions

Why bike?
We use cycling as a tool to raise public awareness. On the one hand, our long-distance initiatives draw media attention. On the other, Cycling the 800km from Toronto to New York is test of endurance. Thus it represents not only our commitment to our cause, but is also symbolic gesture of solidarity with Iranian political prisoners and the physical and psychological hardships they continue to endure simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly.

Cycling also keeps us together. We bike every Sunday and that’s how we have become a team/group.

Why target the UN General Assembly in New York?
We strongly believe that the heads of State at this 64th session of the U.N. General Assembly should condemn the use of government-sanctioned violence in Iran. We do not believe that such pressure constitutes ‘foreign interference’ as Iran’s own constitution guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

It is clear that the Iranian authorities have not only failed to address the worsening human rights situation, but they are also trying to externalize the matter by blaming the recent turmoil on ‘foreign powers’ who are somehow interfering in Iran’s domestic affairs. World leaders need to make it clear to the Iranian government that it cannot evade responsibility and that human rights issues will be at the forefront of engagement with the Iranian authorities.

There have been wide-spread and systematic human rights abuses in Iran following the national elections. Mr. Ahmadinejad’s visit to the U.N. General Assembly is a good opportunity for us to raise public awareness regarding these human rights violations that have occurred during his tenure.

Also, as this is will be a highly publicized event, our presence will signal our solidarity with those living in Iran. This is significant as it will demonstrate that their voices and sacrifices have not fallen on deaf ears.

What concerns you most about the situation in Iran, and why do you feel that Canadians should pay attention to it?
Unfortunately the human rights situation in Iran is getting worse. Widespread arrests, intimidation of the opposition, closure of newspapers, torture, rape of prisoners by prison guards, etc. have proliferated at an alarming rate.

Human rights are universal and it is the responsibility of everybody, regardless of their background and nationality, to protest when it is violated.

How can people get involved with CHRI?
They can come bike with us on Sundays (contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer.chri@gmail.com) or join us as a member and attend  our events and meetings, etc. If they are interested in human rights advocacy this is a great group to join (just email the noted email address and you will be added to our email list serve).

They can come and see us off on September 19th, at 12:00 pm, at Hart House, when we leave Toronto to NYC (more information on our website or Facebook event page).

They can also check our website, spread the word about CHRI and post CHRI links on their Facebook walls. These are great awareness-raising tools.
Who’s funding this? How can people donate if they are unable to participate in the ride?
We are an independent and non-partisan group. All our funds come from supports from individuals who care for human rights in Iran. As such, we are not funded by any organization, but merely rely on public donations. Torontonians have thus far been very generous.

People can donate here or write a cheque to CHRI

What else can be done?
We are organizing a conference on Iran civil movements and advocacy at the University of Toronto on October 17, 2009.
Recently Iranian students from Toronto colleges and universities have got together and created the Iranian Students Federation of Colleges and Universities (ISFCU). It’s mandate is to promote democracy and the sanctity of human rights in Iran.

With support from the University of Toronto we are helping Iranians to by-pass the Internet filters put in place by the Iranian government to block them from access to many internet websites.