URGENT: Iranian authorities have ordered Nasrin Sotoudeh back to prison. Demand her freedom now. | View in browser.

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URGENT ACTION: HELP #FREENASRIN

John,

I have horrible news to share — and an urgent call-to-action. 

On December 2, after just three weeks of temporary release, renowned Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was ordered to return to Shahr-e-Ray “Gharchak” prison by Iranian authorities. She is serving a cruel and unjust sentence of 148 lashes and 38 years simply for defending women’s rights. 

We need your urgent action: Demand Nasrin be freed permanently from prison, and her sentence overturned.

Nasrin was temporarily released on November 7 because of her deteriorating health. Within days, she was diagnosed with COVID-19, on top of existing health issues. Nasrin was not 'free' — she didn't know if or when she would be sent back to prison. And because she had COVID-19, she was isolated and unable to even hug her children. 

Just before authorities ordered her back to prison, a medical examiner informed Nasrin that she was still sick and contagious with COVID-19. 

Nasrin is one of Iran’s foremost human rights activists. She has steadfastly advocated for justice and equality, including serving as legal counsel for women peacefully protesting for the right to decide whether or not to wear the hijab (veil). Her conviction is directly related to her work as a women human rights defender. 

Her release should have been permanent. Instead, she’s been forced to return to Gharchak prison, a defunct chicken farm that holds several hundred women in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions. The facility has no access to safe drinkable water, decent food, medicine, or fresh air.  

John, no one should be imprisoned in such appalling conditions. We must generate massive public pressure on the Iranian government to #FreeNasrin immediately. 

More than a million people in more than 200 countries and territories have spoken up in defense of Nasrin since she was first imprisoned. Each signature, demanding Nasrin’s immediate and unconditional release, represents someone who is outraged by her cruel sentence and is willing to demand her freedom — someone like you. 

With mounting pressure from Amnesty supporters, we won her early release from an earlier imprisonment back in 2013. Then again this November, we helped to secure her temporary release. 

We must continue to advocate for her permanent release and for her sentence to be quashed. Take immediate action now. 

Our impact — our ability to free Nasrin and other women human rights defenders like her — rests on the voices of our supporters around the world. Thank you for speaking out.  

Yours in solidarity,  

Jackie Hansen 
Gender Rights Campaigner 
Amnesty International Canada


 

Amnesty International supports the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression, including the right of Muslim women to decide whether to wear the hijab or other forms of Islamic dress. Amnesty International firmly opposes all forms of Islamophobia and condemns any and all acts of white supremacist racism and violence against Muslim communities. 

 

 
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