US condemns prison sentences for three opponents of compulsory hijab in Iran
The United States condemned the sentencing of a total of 55 years in prison against three opponents of compulsory hijab in Iran.
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.
Recently, Judge Moghiseh, head of Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, sentenced Yasman Ariani, Monireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz, three civil society activists imprisoned in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, to a total of 55 years and six months in prison. If this verdict becomes final, the harshest punishment will be applicable.
Yasman Ariani, Munireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz have each been sentenced to 16 years in prison for charges of "gathering and colluding with the intention of acting against national security," "propaganda against the system," and "encouraging and providing the conditions for corruption and prostitution," while Mojgan Keshavarz has been sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for charges of "insulting sacred places."
It is said that the reason for the arrest of Mojgan Keshavarz, Monireh Arabshahi, and Yasman Ariani was their throwing flowers in the women's car of the Tehran Metro and protesting against the mandatory hijab on International Women's Day (March 8).
Last March, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at the "Women of Courage Award" ceremony at the US State Department, praised Iranian women's efforts to fight against compulsory hijab.
In May of this year, the US State Department 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.
Also, in June of this year, Amnesty International published a report, recounting the role of compulsory hijab in the daily lives of Iranian women and girls, and pointing out the sometimes very violent treatment of women who do not wear a full hijab by the Islamic Republic regime's moral security police.
Source: Voice of America
