Iranian Writers Association Calls for Cancellation of Prison Sentences for Women Who Demanded Khamenei’s Resignation
The Iranian Writers Association issued a statement in response to prison sentences handed down to Giti Pourfazel, Shahla Jahanbin, Zahra Jamali, Shahla Entesari, Fatema Sepahri, and Narges Mansouri, female activists and signatories of a letter demanding the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei.
On Wednesday, the 23rd of Bahman, the Iranian Writers Association released a statement responding to sentences issued against Giti Pourfazel, a writer, human rights lawyer and member of the Iranian Writers Association; Shahla Jahanbin, Zahra Jamali, and Shahla Entesari, each sentenced to 27 months in prison, and a combined 12-year prison sentence for Fatema Sepahri and Narges Mansouri. The association characterized the purpose of such sentences as suppressing freedom of thought and expression.
The association stated in its statement that, without commenting on the content of the resignation letter addressed to Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, signed by these activists, it condemns the issued sentences and calls for the cancellation of the prison sentences of the letter’s signatories.
Radio Farda had previously reported that Giti Pourfazel, Shahla Jahanbin, Zahra Jamali, and Shahla Entesari were each sentenced to three years and six months in prison, which was reduced to 27 months for each upon their decision not to file an appeal.
The Campaign to Defend Political and Civil Prisoners also reported on Wednesday, the 16th of Bahman, that Narges Mansouri, another signatory of the letter, was sentenced to six years in prison, two years of prohibition from membership in political and social parties and organizations, based on a ruling issued on the 26th of Aban by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court on charges of conspiracy and propaganda against the system.
In June of this year, 14 political and civil activists issued a statement addressed to Khamenei calling for his resignation and changes to Iran’s constitution, which they said had created a rubber-stamp parliament, a powerless government, and an independent judiciary.
In mid-August of this year, 14 female civil activists, in light of inequalities and women’s issues in Iran, issued a letter calling for moving beyond the Islamic Republic and drafting a new constitution.
Previously, security officials of the Islamic Republic had accused the signatories of these letters of attempting to “design a new sedition.” Many signatories of both letters have been arrested in recent days.
International human rights organizations and the United States government have accused the Islamic Republic of violating freedom of expression and suppressing civil activists, and have called for the release of journalists imprisoned solely for performing their duties.
The U.S. State Department states that the Iranian regime has arrested thousands of protesters, civil activists, labor representatives, and members of other professions over the past two years.
Source: Voice of America
