UN Fact-Finding Committee: Tomaj Salehi Must Be Released 'Immediately and Unconditionally'

In one of the latest reactions from international bodies to the death sentence issued for Tomaj Salehi, the UN Fact-Finding Committee condemned this ruling due to the artist's use of the right to freedom of expression in support of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement. The fact-finding committee has urgently called for the 'immediate and unconditional' release of Tomaj Salehi and urged the Islamic Republic to halt all death sentences against those who have exercised their freedom. The independent international fact-finding committee was established following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in the custody of the morality police and has taken serious steps to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations by collecting and preserving documents and identifying suspects. On Thursday, April 5, 2024, member countries of the UN Human Rights Council voted to extend the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Committee for another year. Previously, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also called on the Islamic Republic to revoke Salehi's death sentence and to release the imprisoned rapper immediately and unconditionally in a section of its report on Iran. Tomaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper opposing the Islamic Republic, was arrested by government forces in early October 2022 in connection with nationwide protests and sent to prison. He was released on bail a year later but was re-arrested a few days later and sent to prison in Isfahan. On April 19, 2024, Salehi was tried in the first branch of the Isfahan Islamic Revolutionary Court on charges of 'assembly and collusion, and complicity in rebellion,' and his death sentence was communicated to his lawyers on May 25. A statement from 14 political prisoners condemned Salehi's death sentence: 'Today's silence means tomorrow's sentence for us.' A freedom of expression organization stated that Tomaj Salehi is a 'rebellious voice' against oppression in Iran. Molavi Abdolhamid reacted to Salehi's death sentence: 'Do not kill people for speaking.' The High Commissioner for Human Rights criticized the 'suppression' of women in Iran and called for Tomaj Salehi's release. The Tehran prosecutor announced charges against a journalist for publishing a video of people's reactions to Salehi's death sentence. A strong wave of support for Tomaj Salehi and condemnation of the Islamic Republic emerged; Mahsa Amini's mother said: 'Let Tomaj breathe.' Iranian artists reacted to the rapper's death sentence: 'Free Tomaj Salehi.'