APWLD calls for release of Iranian women human rights defenders Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh and Shadi Sadr

To:       Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei

            President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

            Jamal Karimi-Rad, Head of the Judiciary

            Manuchehr Motaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs

            Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Geneva

 

March 12, 2007

Your Excellencies,

We are writing to you to express our great concern about the recent persecution of the women’s rights defenders in Iran. We are dismayed at the news of the recent arrests of 38 women’s rights defenders on March 4, 2007, in Tehran while gathering in a peaceful protest in front of the Islamic Revolutionary Court. Furthermore, we are distressed by the use of unnecessary violence by the National Security Police officers against these women which has led to some cases of physical injury.

According to Article 27 of the Iranian constitution, “Public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried and that they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam.” And these women had peacefully gathered to show their solidarity with the 5 women activists who were on trial for their participation in a previous peaceful protest.

Most women were released between March 6 and 8, 2007. However, Ms. Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh and Ms. Shadi Sadr remain in detention in the Evin prison. They are currently on hunger strike.

 APWLD calls upon you to: 

  • Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh and Ms. Shadi Sadr;
  • Release them immediately and unconditionally since their detention is arbitrary;
  • Put an end to all acts of harassment against human rights defenders in Iran;
  • Conform with the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, especially its Article 5a, which states that “for the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels, to meet peacefully” and Article 8(2), which provides that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to submit to governmental bodies and agencies and organisations concerned with public affairs criticism and proposals for improving their functioning and to draw attention to any aspect of their work that may hinder or impede the promotion, protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms”;
  • Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Iran.

 APWLD salutes the courage of women human rights defenders in Iran! We express our solidarity with our Iranian sisters who stand firm in their fight for their rights, justice and democracy.

 APWLD is a regional women’s human rights network of 150 members in 23 countries of the Asia Pacific region committed to enabling women to use law as an instrument of social change, equality and development.

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