Concerns Raised by Political and Civil Activists Regarding the Execution Sentence of Varisha Moradi

Dozens of civil and political activists have condemned the death sentence issued for Varisha Moradi, a political prisoner, expressing concern over the potential implementation of this sentence. According to a statement signed by 247 political and civil activists published on Saturday, March 16, after more than a year and a half since Ms. Moradi's arrest, she is now 'under a death sentence, and at any moment, this sentence could be confirmed by the Supreme Court and executed.' The signatories of this statement have noted that Varisha Moradi was subjected to psychological and physical pressures for five months in solitary confinement and was sentenced to death by Judge Abolqasem Salavati without being allowed to defend herself or have her lawyers present. These activists have emphasized that Varisha Moradi has played a significant role in 'empowering and educating women' in the Kurdish regions of Iraq and Syria. The signatories also stressed that this sentence is 'not only against Varisha Moradi but a sentence against all women in society and Kurdistan.' Ms. Moradi has been sentenced to death by the Iranian judicial system on charges of 'baghi' or membership in armed opposition groups against the Iranian government, and her case is currently under appeal. In recent months, many civil and political activists, as well as human rights organizations, have called for the immediate cancellation of death sentences, especially against three Kurdish women prisoners, including Varisha Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, and Sharifeh Mohammadi. Over 200 lawyers in Iran have demanded a halt to the execution of the three women activists. The signatories of the statement published on Saturday described the execution as 'governmental murder' and urged all those seeking to abolish the death penalty to oppose these inhumane sentences regardless of political affiliations. They referenced the issuance of death sentences for three Kurdish women, over 50 political and ideological prisoners, and thousands of drug-related prisoners. Meanwhile, some civil activists and social media users have called for the immediate cancellation of the death sentences for Varisha Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, Sharifeh Mohammadi, and other political prisoners. They have urged international organizations to exert more pressure on the Iranian judicial system to prevent arbitrary executions. About ten days ago, 17 human rights organizations sent an open letter to the Federal Government of Germany, the European Parliament, and the United Nations, requesting support from these international bodies to save the lives of Pakhshan Azizi and Varisha Moradi.