Arrest of ‘Shima Qusheh,’ Lawyer and Women’s Rights Activist in Tehran

The arrest of ‘Shima Qusheh,’ a lawyer and women’s rights advocate, amid the suppression of human rights activists and independent lawyers following nationwide protests, symbolizes the pressure exerted by Iran’s security and judicial apparatus on legal experts.

Published reports indicate that Shima Qusheh, a lawyer residing in Tehran and women’s rights activist, was arrested by security forces at her home on Friday, December 16, 2025, and transferred to an undisclosed location. As of the time of writing this report, the official reason for her arrest, specific charges, and her place of detention have not been officially or independently disclosed.

Over decades of professional activity, Qusheh was recognized in legal and civil circles, particularly in the fields of women’s rights and defense of victims’ rights. Part of her activities included legal representation in sensitive cases against perpetrators and support for plaintiff women, a situation that consistently placed her under the scrutiny and pressure of authorities.

Although Iranian authorities have not yet raised specific charges against her, media reports assess this arrest within the framework of a widespread wave of suppression against activists, independent lawyers, and human rights advocates following Iran’s nationwide protests in December 2025.

In recent months and years, lawyers and human rights defenders in Iran have repeatedly been targets of arrest, judicial summons, case prosecution, and security charges. Prosecution offices in cities such as Mashhad have brought charges of ‘propaganda against the system’ or ‘action against national security’ against numerous critical and independent lawyers, demonstrating systematic suppression of the independence of the legal profession in sensitive cases.

Notable examples of human rights lawyers who have faced persecution or pressure in recent years include ‘Mohammad Najafi’ and ‘Amir Salar Davudi,’ among others, who have received conviction sentences and lengthy punishments on security or political charges.

Shima Qusheh’s arrest occurs at a time when Iran faces heightened security pressure following widespread nationwide protests in December 2025. These protests, which began with social and economic issues, rapidly took on political dimensions and were met with repressive responses. Reports indicate thousands of arrests during this wave of protests and violent confrontations with demonstrators. For example, domestic human rights organizations have estimated the number of confirmed detainees at tens of thousands.

Article 18 organization has also criticized the severe suppression of protesters and human rights violations, particularly against children and religious minorities, in official statements and has called for legal accountability and Iranian authorities to respond.

Alongside pressure on legal advocates, religious minorities such as Christians have repeatedly been targets of arrest and trial in recent years. Credible reports have documented at least dozens of cases of arrests of religious minorities in various provinces and cities across Iran, some of which were related to security-religious charges.

These overall circumstances, despite the absence of official announcements, demonstrate that Shima Qusheh’s arrest can be analyzed within a broader pattern of suppression of human rights activists, lawyers, women’s rights advocates, and religious minorities in Iran.

Shima Qusheh’s arrest stands as a prominent example of the pressures exerted by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s security and judicial apparatus on lawyers and human rights defenders occurring before and after the nationwide protests in December 2025. The lack of transparency regarding her charges and place of detention continues; while broader contexts of suppression of activists and human rights advocates in Iran exist.