Narges Mohammadi to Rouhani: Prevent Continued Security Crackdowns on Civil Activists

Narges Mohammadi, the Vice President and spokesperson of the Human Rights Defenders Center, currently imprisoned, has written a letter to Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, urging him to stop the ongoing security crackdowns on civil activists. In a section of the letter published on Monday, June 14, on the website 'Kalemeh', she states: 'Since 1992, when I entered university, I have been active as a founder or member in ten civil and social organizations (student, professional, human rights, and peace-seeking). In my recent case, continuing my activities in civil organizations for which I had previously received a six-year prison sentence, I have again been deemed guilty and this time sentenced to 16 years in prison for the same reason.' The Vice President and spokesperson of the Human Rights Defenders Center argues that such activities are not only 'not deserving of punishment as a civil activist' but that 'those who restrict these rights should be dealt with according to the laws of the Islamic Republic.' Narges Mohammadi, who was arrested again in May 2015, is currently serving a six-year sentence and has recently been sentenced to 16 years in a closed court for 'gathering and colluding with the intent to commit a crime against national security', 'propaganda against the regime', and 'forming and managing an illegal group called Legam'. However, based on laws related to the aggregation of sentences, her prison term will be 10 years. In her letter, she continues: 'Unfortunately, the repressive policies of the previous government targeted and weakened civil organizations as the foundations of democracy, and the continuation of this approach by any of the governmental institutions, especially the security institution under your presidency, will not be accepted by public opinion.' She adds: 'In the past 14 years of my activities, I have experienced 3 cases, 3 convictions, and 4 arrests, and I have been sent to security wards and solitary confinement 3 times. You are well aware that according to the ruling of the Administrative Justice Court number 435 dated January 17, 2004, keeping detainees and convicted prisoners in solitary confinement is a clear example of severity and unconstitutional.' The Vice President and spokesperson of the Human Rights Defenders Center emphasizes: 'As a lawyer and President of the Iranian nation, I ask you, can I appeal for the suffering endured in solitary confinement and the mental health issues and even seizures in the hospital, for which medical documents exist? Who and which institution will reconsider the humanitarian disasters inflicted on civil-political activists? Is it enough to request a reconsideration for a stage called 'verdict and punishment' in the face of the oppression and damages inflicted on us during various stages of the trial?' Narges Mohammadi concludes her letter: 'Mr. President, I wrote this letter not to draw your attention to an individual's case but to express and reveal a sample of hundreds of illegal and unethical actions and violations of the clear and explicit laws of the nation by some governmental institutions, so that alongside your efforts to establish constructive relations and interactions with the world, which is the desire of the Iranian people, you also pay attention to other demands of the people regarding internal issues, including the realization of civil society, which is essential for achieving democracy and lasting peace in the country, and prevent the continuation of security crackdowns on civil activists and the suppression of civil institutions.' Since Ms. Mohammadi's arrest last year, several international human rights organizations and political and cultural figures have called for her release. The recent ruling from the Revolutionary Court against Narges Mohammadi in late May has sparked significant reactions, including a statement from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for her immediate release.