Free Women's Rights Defenders in Iran

Dear Mr. Hashemi Shahroudi,
The Honorable Head of the Judiciary,

Greetings,

As you are aware, on March 4th, about 35 female university professors, researchers, lawyers, jurists, and journalists who are all women rights activists were arrested while gathering in front of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to protest the method of trial of five of their fellow activists. They were detained under supervision of the Ministry of Intelligence and kept in ward 209 of Evin prison ...

"We, the undersigned, are writing to you to express our great concern about the recent persecutions and prosecutions of the women’s rights defenders in Iran. We are especially dismayed at the news of the recent arrests of 38 women’s rights defenders on March 4, 2007, in Tehran while gathering in a peaceful protest in front of the Islamic Revolutionary Court. Furthermore, we are distressed by the use of unnecessary violence by the National Security Police officers against these women which has led to some cases of physical injury.

According to Article 27 of the Iranian constitution, “Public gatherings and marches may be freely held, provided arms are not carried and that they are not detrimental to the fundamental principles of Islam.” And these women had peacefully gathered to show their solidarity with the 5 women activists who were on trial for their participation in a previous peaceful protest."

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"Meanwhile all students' associations in Iran have been notified by university authorities that they will not be allowed to organise any rally or university meeting before 8 March on feminism or women's rights