France: The JCPOA is not a blank check for human rights violations in Iran

Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Foreign Minister, on Thursday, April 1, referred to the recent sentence against Nasrin Sotoudeh, a imprisoned lawyer and human rights activist, stating that the nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran, known as the JCPOA, is not a blank check for human rights violations in the country. Reza Khandan, Sotoudeh's husband, previously stated that his wife has been sentenced to 33 years in prison due to new charges, but she must serve her longest sentence of 12 years. Sotoudeh has also been sentenced to 148 lashes for not having 'Islamic hijab' in court. According to Reuters, Jean-Yves Le Drian addressed the members of the French Parliament, saying that the new ruling against Sotoudeh has sparked global outrage, and our government shares this sentiment. The French Foreign Minister added that despite the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, we have made significant efforts to preserve the nuclear agreement signed by global powers and Tehran. Iran and six world powers reached an agreement in Vienna in 2015 to resolve the Iranian nuclear dispute. However, the U.S. withdrew from this agreement last May and reinstated all its suspended sanctions against Iran. Jean-Yves Le Drian continued by stating that our efforts to maintain the agreement in Vienna do not mean a blank check for Iran to violate human rights, and for this reason, France will take all necessary actions to ensure Sotoudeh's freedom. Nasrin Sotoudeh has defended political and civil activists in Iranian courts over the past decade, including protesters against compulsory hijab. She was previously arrested in September 2010 and spent three years in prison. This lawyer has been in prison since June 23 of last year. French officials had previously criticized the new ruling against Sotoudeh. Marlène Schiappa, a French representative, praised Sotoudeh's activities last week at the 63rd session of the 'Commission on the Status of Women' in New York. Marlène Schiappa stated, 'I especially want to send a sisterly and supportive greeting from France to Nasrin Sotoudeh, who is currently imprisoned in Iran.' The representative of the Islamic Republic at this session called Marlène Schiappa's remarks 'interference in the affairs of countries.'