German Labor Organization Criticizes Death Sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi: We Will Not Remain Silent Against the Treatment of Workers in Iran

A labor organization in Germany criticized the issuance of a death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist in Iran, following "a severely unjust trial" in the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, stating that it will not remain silent regarding the treatment of workers by the Islamic Republic's officials. The website of the German Metalworkers' Union in Frankfurt reported that accounts of torture and mistreatment of Ms. Mohammadi, including severe beatings, reflect a "disturbing injustice" that she has faced since her arrest last fall. Previously, Stefan Cotton, Secretary-General of the International Transport Workers' Federation, stated on Tuesday, September 4, "We are closely following the emergency situation of Sharifeh Mohammadi, who has been sentenced to death, and we demand her immediate release." Meanwhile, the campaign to defend Sharifeh Mohammadi issued a statement on Thursday, September 7, thanking global support for this imprisoned labor activist sentenced to death, stating that "the least expectation from the Supreme Court is to overturn this unjust ruling so that necessary actions can be taken to send the case to an equivalent branch and issue a verdict of acquittal for Sharifeh." This campaign previously announced that Sharifeh Mohammadi's case is currently under review in the Supreme Court. Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested in December of last year and on July 4, 2024, was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on the charge of "baghi" (rebellion). This ruling was issued based on allegations from the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic regarding Ms. Mohammadi's membership in "Komala," which has been strongly denied by Ms. Mohammadi, her husband, Sirous Fathi, and the Komala Party. The campaign to defend Sharifeh Mohammadi had previously reported on the torture inflicted on her in the detention center of the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj. Human rights, labor, and professional organizations in Iran, as well as human rights organizations and labor unions worldwide, along with several Iranian activists, have condemned the death sentence for Ms. Mohammadi. Additionally, retirees in their protests in various cities in Iran have called for the release of this labor activist. The latest status of Sharifeh Mohammadi, the labor activist sentenced to death, was discussed in an interview with Mozdak Azar. Protesting retirees in Shush stated: "Sharifeh Mohammadi must be freed." UN experts have warned about the "sharp increase in executions" in Iran, stating that these punishments are "illegal." The campaign to defend Sharifeh Mohammadi reported the registration of a request to annul her death sentence at the office of the UN Secretary-General. Concerns from human rights organizations regarding more executions ahead of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death have also been raised. A representative from the Catalonia Parliament in Spain has taken political sponsorship for Pakhshan Azizi.