Two Civil and Human Rights Organizations Criticize Sentencing of 60 Years in Prison for Activists in Gilan

The Iranian Writers' Association and the Human Rights Defenders Association criticized the sentencing of 60 years in prison for 11 women's rights defenders and political activists in Gilan province on Thursday, April 9. The Iranian Writers' Association stated: "In Iran, such sentences do not surprise anyone, nor do they instill fear," referencing the "bloody decade of the 60s," the executions of that decade, and the regime's violent crackdown on even simple and peaceful protests, adding that thousands of years of prison sentences have been issued to an ever-increasing number of critics, protesters, and opponents. They noted: "If there is anything surprising (especially to the rulers), it is the movement's refusal to back down from its demands." The organization pointed out that such trials have significantly increased in the past year and a half and will continue, attributing this rise to the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement that is still pulsating within society; it is nothing but the people's ongoing defense of their right to freedom of expression in various forms. The Iranian Writers' Association concluded: "The condemned activists will be under the umbrella of public support." Additionally, the Human Rights Defenders Association stated: "It is regrettable that the government sees peace activists seeking women's rights equality as its enemy. Pursuing and demanding women's rights is not a crime." The Third Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced the 11 women’s rights activists and political activists arrested in August 2023 in Gilan to a total of over 60 years in prison on Wednesday, April 8. According to the Bidar Zani channel, Zahra Dadras received 9 years and 6 months in prison, while eight other women named Forough Samiani, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashedari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, Azadeh Chavoshian, and Zahra Dadras were each sentenced to over 6 years in prison. While all nine activists were charged with "assembly and collusion," Zahra Dadras faced the charge of "forming a group aimed at undermining national security," and the other eight activists were also charged with "membership in a group." Two other defendants in this case, Jalveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri, were each sentenced to one year in prison for "propaganda against the regime." The court session addressing the charges against these 11 activists was held on February 29, 2023, in the Third Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht. These women’s rights activists were arrested on August 16, 2023, by government agents in the cities of Rasht, Anzali, Lahijan, and Fuman. They were temporarily released from Lakan Prison in Rasht about two months later on bail. The U.S. State Department also strongly condemned the sentences issued for the 11 women’s rights defenders and political activists in Gilan on Thursday. A spokesperson for the department described these sentences as "unjust" and "an attempt to intimidate and silence activists." Matthew Miller, in response to a question from a VOA Persian reporter, called the judicial process regarding human rights activists in Iran "fabricated" and stated: "The Iranian regime is seeking to intimidate and silence these brave women by issuing such sentences." The issuance of over 60 years in prison for 11 activists in Gilan was condemned by the U.S.; Miller stated: "An attempt to intimidate and silence activists." Eleven women’s rights activists in Gilan were sentenced to a total of over 60 years in prison for the crime of "assembly and collusion."