Statement from 31 Human Rights Organizations in Support of Sharifeh Mohammadi: Her Activities Have Been Peaceful and Legal

A number of human rights organizations active in Iran and other countries issued a joint statement protesting the death sentence issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor rights activist, and called for the cancellation of all charges against her. According to Hrana, the media organ of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, 31 human rights organizations in a joint statement requested the 'immediate cancellation of all charges against' Sharifeh Mohammadi, and urged the Iranian authorities to 'end the systematic harassment of women human rights defenders' and 'refrain from issuing death sentences.' In recent weeks, the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic have issued death sentences for Sharifeh Mohammadi and Pakhshan Azizi, two civil activists, on the charge of 'baghi' (rebellion), and several others are also at risk of similar sentences. The statement from the 31 human rights organizations emphasized that they are 'shocked and deeply concerned' about the 'unjust death sentence' for Sharifeh Mohammadi, and called on the judiciary of the Islamic Republic to 'immediately and unconditionally cancel all charges' against her, stressing that 'the charges against her due to her activities in defense of workers' rights are activities that are not only peaceful but also legal and within the framework of the country's laws.' The statement called on the Iranian authorities to 'respect peaceful assemblies and the right to organize for the rights of women and workers in civil society organizations' and 'end the use of the death penalty, which is often issued to instill fear among government opponents and without adhering to legal procedures and mechanisms in courts.' The signatory organizations called on 'all feminists and women human rights defenders and their organizations around the world, especially in the Middle East and North Africa' to 'unite in solidarity with Sharifeh Mohammadi and demand her unconditional freedom.' These organizations emphasized that 'Sharifeh Mohammadi is a human rights activist who has organized a registered, independent, public, and legal organization in support of workers' rights.' The statement from these human rights organizations highlighted that 'the condemnation of a woman human rights defender solely for peacefully defending workers' rights has shocked Iranian civil society and the international human rights community,' and 'we believe Sharifeh Mohammadi is a victim of a security fabrication and all charges against her are baseless.' According to the signatories of this statement, Sharifeh Mohammadi's case is 'a clear example of the ongoing repression and hostility' of the Islamic Republic towards 'women's rights activists and civil activists'; they reminded the Iranian authorities that 'activism for the realization of workers' rights is not a crime.' The Siamak Pourzand Foundation, the Human Rights Activists in Iran, and Kurdpa are among the signatories of this statement. Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested at her home by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence on December 5, 2023, and was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on January 1 of the same year, and was later returned to Lakan Prison. Previous reports indicate that Ms. Mohammadi faced 'physical and psychological violence' during her detention and interrogation.