PEN America Condemns the Imprisonment of Sepideh Rashno; Parastoo Farah: Standing for Freedom is More Beautiful than Freedom Itself

PEN America on Friday, February 16, issued a statement condemning the sentencing of Sepideh Rashno, a young Iranian poet and writer who is a fierce critic of mandatory hijab, stating: "The health and vitality of a nation depend solely on the ability of its people to express their thoughts without fear of government retaliation." Simultaneously, Parastoo Farah, a human rights activist, wrote on her account on 'X' for Sepideh Rashno: "The only thing more beautiful than freedom itself is standing for freedom." PEN America further emphasized in its statement: "The resilience of Iranian women in defending freedom of expression and other rights, despite the relentless, severe, and brutal attacks by the government to suppress and punish them, is truly remarkable and commendable. In this context, writers and artists like Sepideh Rashno not only strengthen the public's desire for change by showcasing injustices but also play a crucial role in inspiring everyone to dream of a brighter future based on human rights and a free future for women." According to the latest list from PEN America, at least 57 Iranian writers were arrested in 2022 due to their work, making Iran the second-largest prison for writers in the world after China. PEN America reported that "the Islamic Republic is now the unrivaled jailer of the highest number of female writers in the world." Sepideh Rashno, a writer, poet, and civil rights activist opposing mandatory hijab, announced on her Instagram page on Thursday, February 15, that her sentence of three years and 11 months has been enforced following the consolidation of three of her cases, and she will present herself to the Evin Court's execution office in the coming days. Rashno was arrested in July 2022 after protesting against "mandatory hijab" and resisting the interventions of a woman known as "Raiheh Rabiei" regarding her attire, and was forced to make a "forced confession" in front of the Islamic Republic's state television camera. She has a history of arrest and conviction due to her activism. Rashno's name appears in the BBC's list of 100 inspiring and influential women for the year 2023. PEN America states: "We stand at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect freedom of expression in the United States and around the world, defending the freedom of the pen, and we believe that the power of words can change the world."