Ms Azizi was sentenced to death in July 2024 for activities relating to assisting displaced women and children in Northeast Syria.  There is no evidence that Ms Azizi was involved in anything other than humanitarian activity.

Since her detention Ms Azizi has been on several hunger strikes and engaged in human rights activism for which she has been punished further by the Iranian regime.  Authorities have denied Ms Azizi contact with her family, including banning in person visits.

The Iranian authorities have increased the use of the death penalty following the Women, Life, Freedom Movement in order to intimidate activists and instil fear in the population.

CODIR General Secretary, Gawain Little, restated the organisation’s long-standing opposition to the death penalty in Iran when highlighting the case of Ms Azizi.

“Death sentences have been increasing in Iran with over 900 people being sentenced to death last year”, he said.  “This is tantamount to the Iranian regime unleashing a reign of terror against its own people. The threat of death for basic trade union, humanitarian and peace activities means they are being outlawed. We are asking all affiliates and the wider trade union movement in Britain to call for a stop to the execution of Ms Azizi and all other political prisoners.” 

Recent reports from Iran about the assassination of two high profile Supreme Court judges, known for handling high profile cases, have raised fears that the regime may take a harder line against those currently imprisoned.  This is especially the case in relation to those prisoners facing execution who have been issued with final judgements, including Pakhshan Azizi.

CODIR is calling for peace, trade union and human rights organisations in Britain to write to the Iranian Embassy demanding a halt to the execution of Ms Azizi and justice for all political prisoners in Iran.

CODIR is also calling upon MPs to raise the case of Ms Azizi and demand her immediate release along with other political prisoners in Iran.

ENDS

Further information for Editors

Contact Information for CODIR:-

Postal Address:
B.M.CODIR
London
WC1N 3XX
UK
Website: www.codir.net
E-mail: [email protected]

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.  Eight 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.

Office

Central Executive Council

CODIR