4 April 2019

NSW Council for Civil Liberties (CCL) has urged the Iranian authorities to release Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer.

Originally arrested in June last year, Sotoudeh has been sentenced to 38 years imprisonment and 148 lashes. The allegations against her include “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the state,” membership in various human rights groups, “disturbing public peace and order” and “publishing falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion.” Amnesty International has adopted her as a prisoner of conscience.

Pauline Wright, President of CCL, said “Ms Sotoudeh has been recognised around the world for her work upholding human rights and civil liberties. She has been awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, and the Ludovic Trarieux Human Rights Prize. Human rights defenders are a credit to their societies. The Iranian government should respond to her defence of the rights of Iranians with pride, not repression.”

“The charges that were laid against Ms Sotoudeh are risible. She was denied the right to choose her own lawyer, and was tried and convicted in absentia. A system that fails to observe these fundamental pillars of the rule of law hardly merits being called a justice system. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties urges the Iranian government to immediately release Ms Sotoudeh”, said Wright.

Contacts in relation to this statement.

Pauline Wright

President

NSWCCL 

0418 292 656