The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders called for the immediate release of six women’s human rights activists in Gilan who were recently imprisoned.
More disturbing news from Iran: 6 WHRDs imprisoned with lengthy sentences, reportedly violently arrested, tortured, and threatened with rape and death during interrogations. I call on Iran to release them immediately and end the suppression of WHRDs. @PMIRAN_GENEVA
— Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) July 15, 2024
Mary Lawlor expressed her concern over the long prison sentences and reports of violent arrests, torture, and threats by Iranian security agents to rape and kill these prisoners during interrogation in a post on Twitter, calling for an end to the repression of women’s human rights activists.
Six civil and women’s rights activists in Gilan province reported to Branch 5 of the Rasht Execution of Sentences office on Saturday, July 13, to begin serving their prison sentences.
Forough Samiinia, Jelve Javaheri, Shiva Shahsiah, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, and Azadeh Chavoshian were transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.
In her latest Instagram post, Forough Samiinia, referring to the start of her and her friends’ prison sentences, stated, “We have not forgotten our dreams and we fight to achieve them.”
The prison sentences for Zohreh and Zahra Dadras, two other prisoners convicted in the case of 11 Gilan activists, were executed on July 10.
In this case, 11 civil and women’s rights activists from Gilan have been sentenced to over 60 years in prison collectively.
These activists have reported being tortured and beaten during their detention.
Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison on charges of “forming a group with the intent to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion,” of which six years and one day are enforceable.
Forough Samiinia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shahsiah, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, Azadeh Chavoshian, and Zahra Dadras were each sentenced to six years, three months, and 17 days in prison on charges of “membership in a group” and “assembly and collusion.”
Two other defendants in this case, Jelve Javaheri and Hooman Taheri, were each sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”
The issuance of over 60 years of prison sentences for 11 women’s rights defenders and civil activists in Gilan province has faced widespread criticism from hundreds of activists and civil and human rights organizations, including the Iranian Writers Association, the Center for Human Rights Defenders, and the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also condemned these sentences as “unjust” and “an attempt to intimidate and silence activists.”
