UN Independent Experts: The Islamic Republic Must End the Harassment of Narges Mohammadi

A group of independent experts from the United Nations on Thursday, July 28, issued a statement urging the Islamic Republic to end the harassment of Narges Mohammadi, a jailed human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. They also called for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and all women human rights defenders imprisoned for advocating human rights in Iran. The experts stated, "We are concerned about the unfair trials and lengthy sentences issued for Narges Mohammadi, a human rights defender, which are directly related to her peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression and assembly in pursuit of gender equality in Iran." The statement continued, "The excessive use of cover charges under national security or propaganda against the government to silence critical voices must stop." These UN experts had previously deemed Narges Mohammadi's detention by the Islamic Republic as "arbitrary." They expressed deep concern about the atmosphere of discrimination and fear that female human rights defenders live in Iran. According to these experts, this situation is exacerbated by the lack of a legal system based on laws that are responsive to gender and accessible to women, as well as the impunity for violations of the rights of women and girls. They stated, "Discrimination and severe violence against women and girls are unacceptable. We want to remind the Iranian government of its commitment to support and promote the rights of all human rights defenders while they peacefully carry out their legitimate work." The experts also noted that they received alarming reports indicating that Narges Mohammadi was deprived of access to her lawyer shortly after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was not allowed to contact her family. They pointed out that Ms. Mohammadi has even been denied access to medical assistance, stating that access to medical and legal services for detainees is part of their fundamental rights and must be respected. The statement mentioned that in recent years, the detention of women’s rights activists in Iran has increased, and Islamic Republic officials warn that other protesters against compulsory hijab may be charged with national security crimes. The experts stated, "Women human rights defenders who challenge the imposition of compulsory hijab codes on women are acting in defense of universally guaranteed human rights. We urge the Iranian government to remember this." They further reminded that the use of repressive laws to criminalize the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is inconsistent with Iran's commitments under international human rights laws. Narges Mohammadi, 52, has been imprisoned since November 2021 due to several previous convictions related to her campaigns against compulsory hijab for women and the death penalty in Iran. Mustafa Nili, her lawyer, wrote on June 19 on his social media account that Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced to one year in prison for "propaganda against the regime." According to Mustafa Nili, this sentence was in response to calls for a boycott of parliamentary elections, letters to Swedish and Norwegian representatives, and comments about Dina Qalibaf, an Iranian journalist and student. On April 21, Narges Mohammadi, in an audio message from Evin prison, revealed allegations of "beating" and "sexual harassment" against Dina Qalibaf, a journalist and student activist. The issuance of a new sentence against Narges Mohammadi has faced protests from many international organizations and institutions. The European Union has called for the immediate release of Narges Mohammadi. Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stated from prison: "I will not participate in the illegitimate government elections." The World Pen Association condemned the issuance of another one-year prison sentence for Narges Mohammadi. The International Coalition for "Freedom for Narges" condemned the new ruling against Narges Mohammadi by the judiciary. 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 for "propaganda against the regime."