Nasrin Sotoudeh's letter from prison about "creative and peaceful efforts" to end compulsory hijab; this right will soon be returned to us
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and civil activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, published a letter describing the women's efforts for "freedom" and "the right to choose their clothing" as commendable and criticized the long sentences handed down to these women.
In her letter, published on Tuesday, August 10, on the Amnesty International website and social media, Nasrin Sotoudeh wrote: "The efforts that Iranian women are making today for freedom and the right to choose their clothing are admirable. This admiration is due, above all, to the peaceful method they have chosen, and in return they have faced sentences that are several hundred years old."
Ms. Sotoudeh has described women's efforts to end compulsory hijab as "creative and peaceful."
He also wrote, referring to the role of women in previous decades: "The round-the-clock control targeted their personality, body, soul, and spirit, but they grew and flourished contrary to expectations."
The civil activist continued by mentioning the movement of the Revolution Girls and the white scarves they wore on their heads in the street, and wrote about the peaceful struggle of women including Yasman Ariani, Munireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz: "They laid flowers at the feet of the Revolution Girls and gave flowers to their fellow citizens in the subway and on the street. But for each flower, they received years of imprisonment and were sent to prison without any glory or complaint."
Yasman Ariani, Munireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz, opponents of compulsory hijab, have been sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Mojgan Keshavarz has been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for "insulting sacred things."
In her letter, Ms. Sotoudeh expressed her gratitude to those who had been interrogated for supporting her, writing, “I draw my and my fellow countrymen’s attention to our collective effort to elevate collective wisdom beyond individuals. Let the world look with amazement at our collective effort for a common and basic right. This right will return to us one day in the not-too-distant future.”
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and civil activist, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison in her final verdict, of which 12 years will be served according to the Islamic Penal Code.
Nasrin Sotoudeh has been in detention since June 13, and the arrest of this human rights activist has sparked protests from the US State Department and international human rights organizations.
Amnesty International recently announced that more than one million people in more than 200 countries and regions around the world have signed a petition calling for the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh, expressing their outrage at the conviction of this prominent Iranian human rights lawyer.
The US State Department recently issued a statement strongly condemning the Islamic Republic's regime's severe repression of women's rights activists in Iran and calling for an end to the harassment and imprisonment of women who are simply demanding their basic and fundamental rights.
Morgan Ortagus, a spokesperson for the US State Department, wrote on her Twitter page on Wednesday, August 13: "We condemn the Iranian regime for sentencing Yasman Ariani, Monireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz to 55 years in prison for opposing mandatory hijab, when they had only donated roses."
Ms. Ortagus, who used the hashtag "White Wednesdays" in her tweet (#whitewednesdays) has called on all countries to condemn this serious and gross violation of human rights.
