Nasrin Sotoudeh, Imprisoned Lawyer: We Risked Evin's Entire Male and Security Environment with Our Hair

Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, detailed her arrest and that of several others during the funeral of Armita Garavand in a letter. She stated that when she and the other detainees were transferred to Evin Court, they had 'risked Evin's entirely male and security environment' with their hair. Sotoudeh was arrested after appearing without mandatory hijab at the funeral of 16-year-old Armita Garavand, who had died. She noted that the number of detainees at the ceremony was 43, including 23 women and 20 men, and she was subsequently transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. This imprisoned human rights activist pointed out that the number of detained women was higher, stating, 'We had feminized the courtyard of Evin Court.' Sotoudeh also reported violence from government agents against participants at the funeral, including dragging her and Manzar Pourzarabi, family members of victims of the Ukrainian plane crash, on the ground and using several stun guns on her during the arrest. According to this imprisoned lawyer, government agents attempted to seize images of several victims of the Ukrainian plane crash from Manzar Pourzarabi. They also tried to arrest one of the girls opposing mandatory hijab at the ceremony. Sotoudeh wrote, 'Suddenly, I saw a young girl next to me being dragged. I pulled her, and others also pulled her into the crowd and took her several rows ahead.' In part of her letter, this imprisoned lawyer stated that judicial and security authorities of the Islamic Republic conditioned the release of some detainees on signing a commitment not to participate in such ceremonies, which was rejected by some detainees. The UN Human Rights Committee expressed concern on November 3 about the Islamic Republic's treatment of women and girls, calling for the decriminalization of women opposing mandatory hijab and the dissolution of the 'Morality Police' in Iran. Sotoudeh wrote in her letter that she and Manzar Pourzarabi 'completely refrained from wearing their hijab.' This imprisoned human rights activist described the choice of attire as 'the most normal thing in the world,' adding that despite their hijab-less presence, 'the breath of the gentlemen in the court was held in their chests.' Sotoudeh also noted the refusal of judicial authorities to interrogate and prosecute her and Manzar Pourzarabi 'due to not wearing a hijab' and stated that she would file a complaint regarding this matter. According to the state-run Fars news agency, Sotoudeh's charges include 'removing the hijab and activities against the psychological security of society.' Sotoudeh has previously been arrested and imprisoned for her human rights activities. Amnesty International expressed outrage and sorrow on November 8 over the death of Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old girl, due to the enforcement of 'insulting and humiliating mandatory hijab laws,' calling for the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and all detainees at the funeral of this teenager. Exclusive: Charges against 14 of the detainees at Armita Garavand's funeral: Gathering and conspiracy. Amnesty International: Mandatory hijab is a tool for 'widespread and systematic' violations of the rights of women and girls in Iran. Nasrin Sotoudeh's arrest at Armita Garavand's funeral. Nasrin Sotoudeh, lawyer and human rights defender, received the 'Pennsylvania University Democracy Medal.'