NEW YORK ( CNN ) -- Families of three U.S. hikers detained by Iran submitted a 2,500-signature petition to Tehran 's U.N. mission Thursday , appealing for their release `` as soon as possible . '' An undated family photo shows Sarah Shourd , one of three U.S. hikers detained in Iran since July 31 . Shane Bauer , Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were detained July 31 after reportedly straying into Iran while hiking in northern Iraq . `` The families , friends and supporters of Shane , Sarah and Josh share the deep hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion in this unfortunate case and release them as soon as possible , '' the petition says . It was signed online at freethehikers.org and at vigils held across the nation . Switzerland 's ambassador to Iran paid the three a consular visit last month and said they were in good condition , but they have had no direct contact with relatives , the families said in a news release . Switzerland handles U.S. consular matters in Tehran , as the United States and Iran have no diplomatic relations . President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran said last month that the Americans entered his country illegally , `` an act that is considered a crime everywhere . '' He insisted that he had no control over the case . `` The judiciary handles these cases . The judiciary in Iran is completely independent and no one can interfere with the process of the law and work of the judge , '' he told The Associated Press . However , he added , `` what I can ask is that the judiciary expedite the process and give it its full attention ... and basically look at the case with maximum leniency . '' Relatives of the hikers expressed gratitude for those comments . `` President Ahmadinejad said he sympathizes with our plight , and we appreciate that , '' said Cindy Hickey , the mother of Shane Bauer and a spokeswoman for the families . `` We urge the Iranian authorities to act on the president 's words and let our children return to us as soon as possible , '' she said . `` Our children have been detained for 11 weeks , and every hour they remain in detention brings us more heartache . The support we 've received from so many people who hope like we do that Shane , Sarah and Josh will be allowed to get on with their lives has been an extraordinary source of strength . '' The Americans entered northern Iraq from Turkey on July 28 during a planned five-day hike . Bauer and Shourd had been living in Damascus , Syria ; Fattal was visiting . They set out to hike in northern Iraq 's Kurdistan region with a fourth friend , Shon Meckfessel , who has said he had a cold and decided to stay behind that day . He also said his friends did not know they were near the border and made `` a simple and regrettable mistake '' by crossing into Iran . Relatives have said the three accidentally strayed into Iran across an unmarked border . Authorities in Iran charged the three with illegally entering the country , according to the semi-official Fars News Agency .
Families submit petitions with 2,500 signatures to Iran 's Shane Bauer mission . U.N. , Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were detained 11 weeks . Petition seeks `` compassion in this unfortunate case '' Signatures gathered at freethehikers.org and at vigils .