New York/The Hague

Iranian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release human rights lawyer Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh and all women (23 women by the account of Mr. Reza Khandan, Nasrins’ husband) and men who are being held and detained in Qarchak and Tehran prisons, respectively, after attending the funeral of 16-year-old Armita Garavand. Ms. Sotoudeh is reportedly being held at the Vozara Detention Center, where Mahsa Amini was also taken before her custodial death in September 2022, sparking the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.

Armita Garavand died on October 29 after a month in a coma following a mysterious encounter at the Iran metro system while not wearing a headscarf. PGA calls on Iran to carry out an impartial, thorough, and independent investigation to clarify her death and bring justice to her case.

According to the local Fars news agency, Nasrin “had been arrested and handed over to judicial authorities” for “not wearing a headscarf” and “disturbing the society’s mental security.”

Nasrin’s arrest and beating during detention caused her glasses to break. This shows how hard they hit her. She refused to wear a hijab when she met with the prosecutor’s office. It is not possible for families and lawyers to attend and meet with the judge in the Evin courthouse. We have no information about Nasrin's new case or her charges. Nasrin is in a dangerous situation due to heart problems and the conditions of Qarchak Prison. She has been refused visitors, and she is on hunger strike and refusing medications. We are worried about her health. Reza Khandan, Nasrin’s husband, on October 31, 2023

With her husband and their friend, Mr. Farhad Meysami, and in solidarity with the “Girls of Revolution Street,” in 2018, Nasrin launched the campaign “I oppose the mandatory hijab” to highlight the fundamental principle of all individuals’ bodily autonomy and freedom of expression to determine their attire. Nasrin has dedicated her life to defending the rights of Iranian women and girls and exercising their rights to freedom of expression and protest. This has led to her imprisonment multiple times in dire conditions.

Together with its longstanding partner, Parliamentarians for Global Action and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights (RWCHR) have repeatedly denounced the persecution against Nasrin. PGA will continue calling on her immediate release and supporting her fight to promote and defend the human rights of women and girls in Iran and around the world while shedding light on human rights defenders who courageously oppose authoritarian regimes.

We call on all Members of Parliament to take decisive and immediate action in support of Nasrin Sotoudeh. At this very critical moment, parliamentarians’ support can be lifesaving.

Actions by Members:

• Ms. Anita Vandenbeld, MP (Canada), member of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, and founding member of PGA’s Parliamentary Rapid Response Team (PARRT), submits a motion condemning the arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh and calling for her immediate and unconditional release. Ms. Vandenbeld’s motion passed unanimously by all parties and will be tabled in the Canadian House of Commons.

  Today the Canadian House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights (#SDIR) unanimously passed my motion to condemn the arrest of ⁦@NasrinSotoudeh⁩ yesterday in Iran and call for her unconditional release. ⁦@PGAction⁩ #PARRT #WomanLifeFreedom pic.twitter.com/csEoUwIlST

  — Anita Vandenbeld (@anitavandenbeld) October 31, 2023

• Dr. Hanna Neuman, MEP (Germany) and PARRT founding member

  In #Iran, you don’t go to prison for beating up a woman so badly that she dies after coma. In Iran, you go to prison for attending that woman’s funeral. #NasrinSotoudeh is in Qarchak prison and her health condition is worsening. She and all others must be released immediately. pic.twitter.com/wS1W2u8oww

  — Hannah Neumann (@HNeumannMEP) October 30, 2023

• Sen. Emilio Álvarez Icaza, MP (Mexico) and PARRT member

  Exigimos al gobierno de #Iran la inmediata libertad de @NasrinSotoudeh @gpplural @senadomexicano https://t.co/6xjO1LKnVk

  — Emilio Álvarez Icaza Longoria (@EmilioAlvarezI) October 30, 2023

• Mr. Anders Österberg, former Swedish Member of Parliament and PARRT member demanding Nasrin Sotoudeh’s unconditional and immediate release in 2021
  

ACTIONS IN SUPPORT OF NASRIN SOTOUDEH

Iranian Authorities should Immediately Release Human Rights Defender Nasrin Sotoudeh

Ms. Sotoudeh was arrested and imprisoned based on politically motivated charges.

Panel Discussion: How Parliamentarians Can Support At-Risk Human Rights Defenders

Parliamentarians for Global Action and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights co-hosted a panel discussion on the documentary film NASRIN and how legislators can support at-risk human rights defenders.

New Zealand MPs committed to supporting Nasrin Sotoudeh & Human Rights Defenders

The New Zealand Parliament and PGA, co-organized a critical event to support and advocate for the immediate and unconditional release of Iranian human rights defender, Nasrin Sotoudeh

“I Oppose the Mandatory Hijab” Campaign

This campaign is a resounding call for women’s right to decide what to wear, transcending borders, cultures, and religions to address a significant symbol that has been used to oppress and punish Iranian women for decades.