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Expressing Solidarity with Mr. Khan Mohammad Stanikzai, Freelance Translator from Afghanistan
Dear UNHCR:
We would like to express our solidarity with Mr. Khan Mohammad Stanikzai, a freelance Pashto translator from Afghanistan and request that you do your utmost to accelerate processing his request for asylum.
After translating documents for Ching Hai International Association and the United States Central Command, Mr. Stanikzai became the target of media attacks in his home country Afghanistan accusing him of translation of irreligious material and intelligence activities. Fearing more serious attacks, he moved to Peshawar, where on March 26 2009, he was fired on by armed men while he was on his way back from his work place.
The reality is that, a linguist is neutral and acts only as a conduit for making a text understandable in a new language. The linguist will not add any personal or political bias to the document or even correction; however, this is not always understood and can be misconstrued.
For this reason, we are shocked and appalled by the persecution Mr Stanikzai has faced while carrying out the activity of translation, obviously the result of efforts by certain groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan to suppress distribution of even the least sensitive of information. We therefore find it of the utmost importance to support him in his efforts to find safety in a country where he and his family can live in peace.
Dear UNHCR:
We would like to express our solidarity with Mr. Khan Mohammad Stanikzai, a freelance Pashto translator from Afghanistan and request that you do your utmost to accelerate processing his request for asylum.
After translating documents for Ching Hai International Association and the United States Central Command, Mr. Stanikzai became the target of media attacks in his home country Afghanistan accusing him of translation of irreligious material and intelligence activities. Fearing more serious attacks, he moved to Peshawar, where on March 26 2009, he was fired on by armed men while he was on his way back from his work place.
The reality is that, a linguist is neutral and acts only as a conduit for making a text understandable in a new language. The linguist will not add any personal or political bias to the document or even correction; however, this is not always understood and can be misconstrued.
For this reason, we are shocked and appalled by the persecution Mr Stanikzai has faced while carrying out the activity of translation, obviously the result of efforts by certain groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan to suppress distribution of even the least sensitive of information. We therefore find it of the utmost importance to support him in his efforts to find safety in a country where he and his family can live in peace.
148 Signatures
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Payam Bagheri
- Comments
- Livung in safety is his natural right
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Professor Mouaza Aziz
- Comments
- It is the right of all the human beings to live free and in peace, and if anyone is facing life threats, s/he should be helped to get out of the situation. Stanikzai needs assistance, he should be helped.
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Rabia Sadat
- Comments
- Security situation in areas like Peshawar in Pakistan is not good and such people can easily get targeted.
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Nahid
- Comments
- Anyone in such a condition needs to be helped.
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DW Sultan
- Comments
- He is to be helped with resettlement in a safe place.
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Thomas Marks
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Reza Ebrahimi
- Comments
- I hereby support Stanikzai for his assylum Application.
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Kumar
- Comments
- Looking at the genuine issue, i think he should be helped and supported by the goverment.
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Ahmad Noorzai
- Comments
- I am with you, I request UNHCR to help you with whatever required in such a time.
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Ashraf
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Semantics
- Comments
- I dont think a translator should be subjected to this kind of torture. He has no role in any activity, all he is doing is converting information from one language to another. This is unfair
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Wei-Hsin Yeh
- Comments
- totally agree!
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Noor khatir
- Comments
- as i know mr khan has three minor childreen and addition to risk to his life his family and very minor kids all under age of 9 years and their life also due to khan is in strong risk and need urgent Humanatarin attention to there life to be saved
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Emad badr
- Comments
- We support Mr. Stanikzai and want UNHCR to resettle him to a place where he may live and work free.
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necla
- Comments
- I support him and belive that he should be protected .
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Sean Mann
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Michelle M. Rousseve
- Comments
- I have known Stan for many years. He has a much needed skill for facilitating communication between his country and the world. He is in grave danger and needs help. He is a good man.
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Scott Crystal
- Comments
- As long as one abides by a code of ethics, the linguist is neutral and unbiased
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Ian Gordon
- Comments
- Interpreters have to be impartial.
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Nasser Mobaraki
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Don R. Robets
- Comments
- I believe this person to be of good character, a hard worker, and will be an asset to any country where he can find safety.
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Sean Mann
- Comments
- A professional translator like Stanikzai serves in a neutral role to support others' communication. When such a professional comes under threat for his work, it is important that he and his family find a refuge safe from persecution.
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Amir Khan
- Comments
- Translators work is always impartial and there is no way that the translator will agree with the nature of text being translated. We support all translators family around the world.
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Colin Stewart
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Rupert George
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Nikos Tzerbinos
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Bavand Behpoor
- Comments
- I'm a translator and a university teacher
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Amber Larsen
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Siegfried Armbruster
- Comments
- To whom it my apply. If Khan Mohammad Stanikzai has worked for you, you are in my opinion bound to care for the safety of this translator and his family. The situation in Afghanistan is grim, and without going into a discussion of what UNHCR is doing there, please support Khan Mohammad Stanikzai and his family in every possible way and if required organize asylum in a save country.
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Christopher Hallam
- Comments
- Translation work must be free from political interference to ensure accuracy and truth. Who will it be next?
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Janos Samu
- Comments
- A translator is a tool to convey the message of the author to the intended audience. His person has no bearing on the content. Punishing or ostricizing him is the same as destrroying a TV set for broadcasting news not to our liking.
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Anthea Martin
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Colman Stephenson
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ELEANOR CHURCH
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Yana Polonskaya
- Comments
- Don`t give up the fight, friends!
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MЙH, Йva
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Caroline Mestrallet
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Janos Barocsi
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Krisztina Nйmeth
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Zsolt Birу
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Szйles Gбbor
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Istvan KLIM
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Tracy Granger
- Comments
- Release Volunteer
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Clem White
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Andrea Sarka
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Annika Blomqvist
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Niamh Eastwood
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Dr Manooch Azmoodeh
- Comments
- Respected UNHCR, I would deeply appreciate if you would help this innocent man, who offers his valuable services to the world, a safe haven where he can continue his work in Peace.
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Juliane Heider
- Comments
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Astrid Coewn
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148
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