PEN International Condemns One-Year Prison Sentence for Narges Mohammadi

On Friday, July 1, PEN International issued a statement condemning the one-year prison sentence handed down to Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The statement expressed PEN's anger over the issuance of another 'retaliatory' sentence against Mohammadi. According to the organization, the ruling from the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran has increased her prison term to 13 years and three months, along with 154 lashes, exile, and four months of community service, including street cleaning. Romana Kacioli, Executive Director of PEN International, stated, 'Narges Mohammadi has once again been condemned following a sham trial in retaliation for criticizing the regime and her unwavering defense of human rights. Defending human rights is not a crime, but violating these rights is.' She added, 'The ongoing harassment of Narges Mohammadi highlights the fragility of the Iranian regime, which, despite its repression, cannot tolerate criticism.' The Executive Director also called for an end to Mohammadi's 'unjust' imprisonment. The 52-year-old Mohammadi has been imprisoned since November 2021 due to several prior convictions related to her campaigns against mandatory hijab for women and the death penalty in Iran. Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, wrote on his social media account on Tuesday, June 19, that Mohammadi was sentenced to one year in prison for 'propaganda against the regime.' According to Nili, this sentence was in response to calls for a boycott of parliamentary elections, letters to Swedish and Norwegian representatives, and comments regarding Dina Qalibaf, an Iranian journalist and student. On April 21, Mohammadi had released an audio message from Evin Prison, exposing 'beatings' and 'sexual harassment' of Dina Qalibaf. In another part of its statement, PEN International noted the relentless efforts of the Islamic Republic to silence Mohammadi, stating that she remains active in defending human rights in various areas, calling for an end to the war and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as an end to systemic discrimination against Baha'i citizens in Iran. The organization emphasized that the relentless harassment and torture of Narges Mohammadi by the Islamic Republic over the past three years 'reveals the depth of the crisis of freedom of expression in the country and the cruel weapon of the judiciary to silence and punish critics.' The new ruling against Narges Mohammadi has faced protests from many international organizations and institutions. PEN International has also called for the annulment of all 'retaliatory' sentences against this human rights activist and her immediate and unconditional release. Source: PEN International and Voice of America. The International Coalition for 'Freedom for Narges' condemned the new ruling of the judiciary against Narges Mohammadi. The Nobel Committee condemned the issuance of another one-year prison sentence for Narges Mohammadi. Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was sentenced to another year in prison on charges of 'propaganda against the regime.' Reporters Without Borders announced the launch of a new campaign for Narges Mohammadi's freedom. Narges Mohammadi refused to attend her court session. Dozens of activists supporting Narges Mohammadi stated: The Islamic Republic has used sexual violence as a tool of repression. Narges Mohammadi's request to the public: Join the 'campaign for solidarity against sexual harassment.'