US Expresses Concern Over Situation of Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi

The US State Department spokesperson stated that from Washington’s perspective, “daily cases of human rights violations and arbitrary detentions” in Iran are “unacceptable.” The United States called on its allies to join the country in combating human rights violations in Iran.

Hedder Nauert, the US State Department spokesperson, expressing concern about the situation of Narges Mohammadi and Nasrin Sotoudeh, as well as the imprisonment of Gonabadi Dervishes, stated that Washington closely follows multiple reports of human rights violations in Iran.

Nauert said at her press briefing at the White House on Wednesday (August 15): “We closely follow reports regarding numerous human rights defenders and members of minority groups such as the Gonabadi Dervishes who are illegally and arbitrarily imprisoned in Iran’s regime prisons.”

In a statement published by the “US State Department in Farsi” on social media networks, quoting Hedder Nauert: “I tweeted yesterday about Narges Mohammadi, a mother of two who is in severe medical condition and has been sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison for peacefully advocating for human rights reforms. Today we are particularly concerned about Nasrin Sotoudeh, who has been imprisoned in Evin Prison since June 2018 and faces national security charges for legal representation of a woman accused of removing her headscarf in public.”

Taghi Rahmani announced on Tuesday by posting a tweet about the severe physical condition of his wife Narges Mohammadi, stating that this activist and human rights defender was transferred to the hospital following a seizure and hospitalized there.

Narges Mohammadi, vice-chairman of the Center for Human Rights Defenders, is currently serving her sentence in prison. Taghi Rahmani and human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about the deteriorating physical condition of Narges Mohammadi, but prison officials have so far refused to grant her medical leave.

Hedder Nauert also wrote in a separate tweet that America is concerned about reports regarding Narges Mohammadi’s health. She added: “We call on Iran’s regime to release her and provide her with vital medical care.”

Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, is currently serving time in prison on charges of “propaganda against the system” and “insulting the leadership.” Payam Derafshan, her lawyer, announced on Tuesday that the charge of “espionage” has been added to Nasrin Sotoudeh’s charges.

Nasrin Sotoudeh has taken on the legal representation of many cases of political and human rights activists and has repeatedly faced security measures. Legal representation of several women protesters against mandatory hijab in Iran known as “Daughters of the Revolution Street,” including Shaparak Shajarizadeh, has been among her recent cases.

Hedder Nauert, in her press briefing with strong criticism of the Islamic Republic government, said: “Iran’s regime imprisons people for exercising their peaceful rights, and then imprisons those hired to defend them.”

She added: “These daily cases of human rights violations and arbitrary detentions are truly unacceptable.”

Several Gonabadi Dervishes who were severely beaten during the Golestan Haftom incident and were detained have been sentenced to long-term imprisonment.

The “Majzoban Noor” website, which covers news of Gonabadi Dervishes, reported in early July that the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Movahhedi and Judge Ahmadzadeh, issued sentences totaling 114 years of imprisonment for 34 Dervishes.

Majzoban Noor also reported on Monday the issuance of a 25-year prison sentence for a four-member family of Gonabadi Dervishes.

The US State Department spokesperson said Washington is asking its allies around the world to join America “in calling on Iran’s regime to end the repression of its people for exercising human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Iranian officials describe US statements about human rights violations in Iran as “unproven and false claims” and consider them part of “America’s campaign to pressure” the country.

Iran has not yet reacted to Hedder Nauert’s statements at the Wednesday press briefing at the White House.

Source: DW