No News of Iranian-Canadian Journalist

In an interview with Rooz, the father of Al Jazeera reporter Homa Dorothy Parvaz demanded that Islamic republic officials and the Syrian government provide information about his daughter.

Homa Dorothy Parvaz’s father, Pirooz (Fred) Parvaz, told Rooz that he is extremely concerned about her daughter and requested that Iranian and Syrian officials allow Homa to contact her family.

Homa Dorothy Parvaz, an Iranian-Canadian reporter for the Al Jazeera network, entered Syria on April 29 to cover the Syrian people’s uprising. She was later reported missing, until May 4, when Syrian officials confirmed her arrest.

Now, after 13 days, Al Jazeera has reported that Ms. Parvaz has been handed over to Iranian authorities. The Islamic republic officials have so far been silent on this matter, however, and Homa’s condition and whereabouts remain unknown. Al Jazeera released a statement calling on Iranian officials to confirm Dorothy Parvaz’s status, citing information confirming that she is being held in Iran.

Rooz has spoken to Pirooz (Fred) Parvaz about her daughter’s latest condition.

Rooz ® : Mr. Parvaz, what do you know about your daughter’s condition?

Pirooz (Fred) Parvaz (PFP): Nothing, and we don’t know what to do. Canadian officials and people from Al Jazeera are pursuing the matter, and we have deferred to them. They said they have experienced similar problems in the past. We are waiting to see what will happen.

R: Your daughter traveled to Syria as a journalist and to cover the events there. Did you know something like this could happen?

PFP: Absolutely not. We didn’t even know she was going to Syria. We spoke to her one day before her departure, on April 28, and she didn’t say anything; maybe because she didn’t want us to be worried. She knew I would be against it, and she would have gone anyway. When I heard later I was shocked. I don’t know why she agreed to go to Syria, to a region that’s so insecure. But, anyway, Homa is fearless and is willing to risk her life for her profession. Now she is engaged because can’t set a wedding date because every time there is a different city and a different country. She loves her profession and I can never change her mind.

R: If you have anything you would like to say, please do.

PFP: I only want the international community and any state that could help to assist me in hearing my daughter’s voice. My daughter traveled to Syria only to report the news. Any journalist who travels anywhere does so purely for reporting purposes. I sincerely ask the governments of Iran, Syria, Canada, and any other official in any country who could help to help release my daughter and let her get back to her life. I thank you very much and am waiting for my daughter’s return.