Over 350 Civil Society and Women's Rights Activists Condemn Sentences Against Gilan Activists

More than 350 women’s rights activists and civil and political activists issued a statement calling for the annulment of all sentences issued against Gilan activists, the cessation of pressure, and their unconditional release. The statement, signed by 355 civil, political, and human rights activists, describes the 'heavy sentences' issued for Gilan activists as one of the most significant examples of the 'continuation of struggle and repression.' The signatories of the statement also referred to the 'familiar and repetitive accusations' against women’s rights activists in Gilan, addressing the 'repressive force' and stating that 'the sentences issued against these individuals are, in fact, targeting the relentless activity and insistence on collective demands.' They emphasized that 'years of denial and repression of the feminist movement' have never stopped activists. The third branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced 11 women’s rights activists and political activists in Gilan province to a total of more than 60 years in prison on Wednesday, April 8. These individuals, including 10 women and one man, who were arrested in August 2023, received prison sentences ranging from one to nine years on charges of 'gathering and collusion,' 'forming a group with the aim of undermining national security,' and 'membership in a group.' Part of the statement from the 355 civil and political activists reads: 'The issuance of mass sentences of imprisonment, exile, and worse, the security cases against women’s rights activists imprisoned in jails across the country, is nothing but the government’s fear of the political agency of women and their significant role in creating fundamental changes. Therefore, prison sentences have never become a point of termination for the equality-seeking and struggle of women activists.' In recent days, several professional and human rights organizations have also criticized the prison sentences against the 11 women’s rights activists in Gilan. The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations condemned the 'inhumane' and 'unjust' sentences against several professional and women activists in Gilan in a statement on Friday, April 10. The Iranian Writers' Association and the Human Rights Defenders Center also criticized the issuance of 60 years of prison sentences for 11 women’s rights defenders and political activists in Gilan on Thursday, April 9. The U.S. Department of State has also strongly condemned these sentences. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for this department, described the sentencing of Gilan activists as 'unjust' and 'an attempt to intimidate and silence activists.' Gohar Eshghi's reaction to the 60-year prison sentence for Gilan activists: 'This reactionary government is the number one enemy of freedom-seeking women.' Two civil and human rights organizations criticized the issuance of 60 years of prison sentences for Gilan activists. The Iranian Teachers' Trade Association condemned the 'inhumane' sentences against professional and women activists. The U.S. condemned the heavy sentences for civil activists in Gilan; Miller stated: 'An attempt to intimidate and silence activists.'