19th November 2024 – For immediate use

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights (CODIR) has condemned the death sentence handed to Iranian-Kurdish activist and political prisoner, Ms. Varishe Moradi, by the regime in Iran.

Moradi has been sentenced on charges of “armed rebellion” due to her alleged affiliation with the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK).  As is usual practice with the Iranian regime, Moradi was not allowed to present a defence in court and her legal team were denied access to her case file during the hearings.

Moradi spent five months in solitary confinement in 2023 before being transferred to the women’s ward in December of that year.  The death sentence was communicated to her lawyers just over a week ago.  The ruling was based upon fabricated evidence and was based upon the judge’s so-called personal knowledge and opinion.

Moradi is one of 42 political prisoners in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison facing the death sentence.  Women prisoners have recently issued a statement condemning the brutal tactics employed by the regime, including torture and fabricated charges. 

The statement calls for the immediate abolition of all death sentences and condemns the Islamic Republic for its “vendetta against freedom and equality movements”.

CODIR General Secretary, Gawain Little, condemned the death sentence handed to Ms Moradi and expressed support for the statement of the women prisoners in Iran, stating,

“This sentence is yet another example of the Iranian regime’s appalling human rights record and flouting of international obligations in the treatment of political prisoners”, he said.   “Fabricating charges against those opposed to the regime is a sign of the fragility and weakness of the theocratic dictatorship in Iran and we call upon all of our affiliates and Labour Movement colleagues to condemn this latest example of the  Iranian regime’s brutality.”

CODIR is calling upon affiliates, peace, human rights and trade union organisations to wite to the Iranian Embassy in London calling for a stay of execution for Ms Moradi and an end to the use of the death penalty in Iran.

CODIR has called for the international community to intervene, through the United Nations, to call for the release of all political prisoners and the dropping of charges against Varishe Moradi. 

CODIR is also asking for individuals to write to their local MP, drawing their attention to the plight of Varishe Moradi,  and demanding her freedom.

ENDS

Further information for Editors

Contact Information for CODIR:-

Postal Address:
B.M.CODIR
London
WC1N 3XX
UK
Website: www.codir.net
E-mail: codir_info@btinternet.com

Further information on CODIR

CODIR is the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights.  It has been established since 1981 and has consistently campaigned to expose human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

CODIR has worked closely with the trade union movement in the UK, the peace movement, all major political parties and Amnesty International to press the case for an end to torture in Iran’s prisons.  Major trade unions in Britain are affiliated to CODIR and support its campaign for peace, human and democratic rights, and social justice in Iran.

CODIR has published Iran Today, its quarterly journal, since 1981, explaining the latest developments in Iran and the most effective way that the British public opinion could demonstrate its solidarity with the people of Iran.

In recent years CODIR has worked closely with Stop the War Coalition and has been vocal against any form of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the nation.