Iran: UN experts alarmed as Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Kurdish woman activist
January 14, 2025 – 12:00 | UN News
*UN experts have condemned the upholding of the death sentence against prominent Iranian-Kurdish activist and defender of women’s rights, Zahra Sedighi Hamedani, by the Supreme Court of Iran.
Zahra Sedighi Hamedani has been convicted of “spreading lies” against the Islamic Republic, “inciting people to corruption and prostitution” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
“We are deeply alarmed by the upholding of the death sentence against Zahra Sedighi Hamedani, a peaceful activist who has been arbitrarily detained and subjected to torture and other ill-treatment,” said the experts, urging Iranian authorities to immediately quash her conviction and sentence, and to release her without delay.
The UN human rights experts also expressed grave concern about the continued targeting of minority and women’s rights defenders in Iran.
“Zahra Sedighi Hamedani’s case is a glaring example of the Iranian government’s crackdown on dissent and its systematic persecution of human rights defenders,” the experts said.
The Iranian-Kurdish woman activist was arrested in October 2022 during the widespread protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being arrested for violating the country’s strict dress code for women.
Hamedani was initially sentenced to death in May 2023, but her sentence was overturned by a lower court last year. The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence on 12 January.
The UN human rights experts called on the Iranian authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association enshrined in international law.
“The Iranian government must end its relentless persecution of human rights defenders, including the arbitrary detention, torture and harassment of those who peacefully exercise their rights,” the experts said.
The UN experts also urged the international community to take urgent action to pressure Iran to end its crackdown on dissent and to respect the human rights of its people.
The experts who issued the statement are:
- Ms. Ivana Radacic, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Ms. Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
- Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
- Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
- Mr. Diego García-Sayán, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
Background
Zahra Sedighi Hamedani is a Kurdish woman activist and defender of women’s rights. She has been involved in various campaigns to promote women’s rights and to end violence against women. She was arrested in October 2022 during the widespread protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being arrested for violating the country’s strict dress code for women.
Hamedani was initially sentenced to death in May 2023, but her sentence was overturned by a lower court last year. The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence on 12 January.
Iran: UN experts alarmed as Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Kurdish woman activist
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