Human Rights Watch Calls for Immediate Release of Golrokh Irayi, Human Rights Activist
Human Rights Watch has called on the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release Golrokh Irayi, a imprisoned human rights defender who is currently hospitalized.
In a statement published on Tuesday, April 10 (21 Farvardin) on the Human Rights Watch website, it was reported that Golrokh Ebrahimi Irayi was transferred from prison to a hospital on April 3 (14 Farvardin), apparently due to medical complications resulting from a hunger strike, and authorities allowed her family to visit six days later.
Human Rights Watch described the trial of Ms. Irayi as unjust, stating that three years ago she was sentenced to six years in prison “based on charges that solely targeted her peaceful activities.”
Sara Lee Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said: “Iranian authorities apparently feel so threatened by human rights defenders that they imprison them for years.” She added: “Instead of worsening prison conditions, Iran should listen to the demands of human rights defenders for greater rights and freedoms for all citizens.”
In December of this year, Iranian judicial authorities transferred Ms. Irayi and Atena Daemi, another human rights defender, from Evin Prison in Tehran to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, which is known to have worse conditions than Evin. The families of Daemi and Irayi reported that the two activists went on hunger strike on February 3 in protest of their transfer from Evin. Ms. Daemi ended her hunger strike after 23 days, but Irayi continued her strike until her transfer to the hospital on April 10.
According to Human Rights Watch’s report, the Islamic Republic authorities finally allowed Golrokh Irayi’s father to visit her at a hospital in Tehran on April 1 (20 Farvardin). The visit lasted approximately one hour, and it was apparent that Irayi had lost significant weight.
Golrokh Irayi was sentenced to three years in prison for writing an unpublished story in which she condemned stoning as a punishment.
The Middle East director of Human Rights Watch stated that there is no evidence of any crime committed by Ms. Irayi and that her detention behind bars is illegal.
Previously, Amnesty International also issued a statement calling for the release of Golrokh Irayi and Atena Daemi. Arash Sadeghi, Golrokh Irayi’s husband, is also serving his prison sentence in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj.
Source: Voice of America
