About 25 Civil and Political Groups Outside Iran Demand the Release of Female Political Prisoners

"The Solidarity Network for Human Rights in Iran," consisting of 24 civil and human rights organizations, issued a statement ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, calling for the release of all political prisoners from the prisons of the Islamic Republic. The network referenced reports from human rights organizations in Iran and around the world, stating: "Many active women are imprisoned in various prisons of the Islamic government in Iran, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all of them." The statement noted: "A large number of female political prisoners held in the women’s section of Evin Prison are over 50 years old and suffer from various illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory issues, and other specific ailments." The Solidarity Network for Human Rights in Iran also urged all women’s organizations, human rights groups, and democratic institutions and parties to "demand the release of all political and ideological prisoners on International Women’s Day" and to "raise the cry of no to execution more widely in Iran and abroad." The network emphasized the necessity of supporting "the fundamental demands of women, namely the freedom of choice in clothing and equality among humans in the country." Among the signatory organizations in the Solidarity Network for Human Rights in Iran are the "Republican Associations of Germany and the Netherlands, Iranian Human Rights Association in Northern and Southern California, Kurdish Human Rights Defenders Association, Human Rights Campaign for Iran, Independent Committee Against the Suppression of Iranian Citizens in Paris, Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, the organization 'All Human Rights for All in Iran,' and the Solidarity of Iranian Republicans (Haja) in Montreal." The court hearing regarding the charges against detained activists in Gilan will be held on Thursday, March 1. Results of a study in Iran: "Women, Life, Freedom" is more than a women’s movement; the highest protests were in Tehran and Kurdistan. Hamideh Zaraa'i, a detained protester, has been exiled to Rasht. Narges Mansouri, a political prisoner, was sentenced to 3 years in prison in a new case. Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, was transferred from Sanandaj Prison to Lakan Prison in Rasht.