Re: Call for the release of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
To: Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Republic; Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, Head of the Judiciary
From: Hugh Gwillim, LRWC
Date: October 26, 2012
Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Nasrin Sotoudeh. LRWC submits that Nasrin Soutoudeh is being subjected to restrictive, discriminatory, and arbitrary conditions of detention.
Ms. Sotoudeh is a prominent and long-standing human rights lawyer and activist in Iran who has represented many individuals who were arrested and charged subsequent to the June 2009 presidential elections, including Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi. She was unlawfully arrested and detained on September 4, 2009.
LRWC understands that Ms. Sotoudeh’s detention has been characterized by long periods of solitary confinement. She has been denied contact with her family and lawyer, and has suffered acts of torture. LRWC has been informed that recently Ms. Sotoudeh’s visiting day has been changed from Sunday to Wednesday without reason and in contradiction to Evin prison’s rules. This change has further restricted Ms. Sotoudeh’s visits from her family. Ms. Sotoudeh has also been restricted from making phone calls since May 2011.
In response to these conditions, Ms. Sotoudeh began a hunger strike on October 17, 2012. Ms. Sotoudeh has previously engaged in hunger strikes which have greatly affected her health and well being.
Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada urges that the restrictive, discriminatory, and arbitrary conditions of detention suffered by Ms. Sotoudeh cease immediately. Further LRWC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Nasrin Sotoudeh. We urge you to provide a response.
Write to LRWC by mail, e-mail or fax to advise us of your actions to do the following:
• Release Nasrin Sotoudeh immediately and unconditionally;
• Reunite her family and allow her to return to her work as a lawyer;
• Ensure she is free and be protected from torture and other ill-treatment;
• Cease all restrictive, discriminatory, and arbitrary conditions of detention; and
• Ensure she has regular access to her lawyer, family, and medical care.
