The 'Narges Freedom' Coalition's Request to World Leaders Ahead of the UN Meeting

The strategic committee of the international 'Narges Freedom' coalition urged the global community to take immediate and unconditional action for the release of Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting. In a statement released on Friday, September 30, the committee highlighted the health condition of Narges Mohammadi, which has 'significantly deteriorated in Evin Prison in recent months,' and called for 'diplomatic intervention' from world leaders at the UN meeting to save her life. The 79th session of the UN General Assembly is set to take place from October 3 to 9 at the organization's headquarters in New York, with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian scheduled to speak on the first day of the meeting. The strategic committee of the 'Narges Freedom' coalition has requested UN member states to raise concerns about Narges Mohammadi's health as 'an urgent priority in their relations with the Iranian government' and to seek a strong commitment for her medical release before President Pezeshkian's speech at the UN. The committee also condemned the repeated pressures and violations against Ms. Mohammadi by the security-judicial apparatus and the harsh conditions faced by many political prisoners in the country, describing them as emblematic examples of the Islamic Republic of Iran's disregard for its commitments as a UN member and urged the international community to swiftly and seriously address this issue. The statement reminded that despite 'the prison doctors' recommendations,' Narges Mohammadi has not been transferred to the hospital. It also pointed to her heart and lung conditions, recent medical examinations, and the 'discovery of a mass in her chest,' which raises concerns and requires continuous monitoring. Furthermore, Mohammadi's contact with her family and legal advisor remains restricted. Her meetings with her lawyer have been denied for several months due to her refusal to wear a headscarf, and she has been cut off from phone contact with her family since November 29, 2023. The strategic committee of the 'Narges Freedom' coalition is supported by the Narges Foundation, the American PEN Association, Reporters Without Borders, and Front Line Defenders. The committee had previously stated in August that Narges Mohammadi's health had worsened and called for her immediate release and unhindered access to medical care. Narges Mohammadi has been in Evin Prison since November 2021 and was sentenced to an additional year in prison in June this year for 'propaganda against the regime.' Reports indicate that this imprisoned human rights activist suffers from 'serious heart and lung diseases,' and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have previously expressed concern about her health status.