{"id":2029,"date":"2021-03-09T04:57:32","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T04:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=2029"},"modified":"2021-03-09T04:57:32","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T04:57:32","slug":"press-release-urgent-action-on-international-womens-day-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=2029","title":{"rendered":"Press release – Urgent action on International Women\u2019s Day 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8th<\/sup> March 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For immediate use<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People\u2019s Rights (CODIR) has called upon trade union leaders in the UK to take urgent action on International Women\u2019s Day (8th<\/sup> March) to highlight the ongoing plight of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solidarity organisation has highlighted a number of cases, in particular that of Nasrin Sotoudeh, the world-renowned lawyer and human rights activist serving 38 years in prison for simply doing her job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sotoudeh has fought for the rights of women, children, religious minorities, journalists and artists, as well as those facing the death penalty.  As a result she has been continuously targeted and harassed by the Iranian authorities and has been arrested and imprisoned several times. Her family has also been targeted to silence their campaign for her release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sotoudeh\u2019s case has won the backing of the European Parliament who have called for the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately and unconditionally release her.  CODIR is asking trade unions in Britain to back this call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an open letter published on 2 March 2021, eight political prisoners in the women\u2019s ward of Iran\u2019s notorious Evin Prison spoke of their concern at the total lack of any attention to the health and safety of the inmates. The letter protested against the gross violations of the fundamental rights of political prisoners currently taking place in Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The eight women political prisoners who put their names to the open letter were: Maryam Akbari Monfared, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Raheleh Asl Ahmadi, Hadith Sabouri, Zeinab Hamrang, Shiva Ismaili, Parisa Rafiei and Athena Daemi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter highlighted the routine depriving of prisoners of their basic rights, including the prison authorities\u2019 refusal to grant leave for family reunion, parole, and the commutating of sentences.  The women also pointed out the authorities\u2019 neglect in providing proper medical care and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CODIR asserts that the dire situation for women in Iran, and women political prisoners in particular, cannot continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On International Women\u2019s Day 2021, CODIR appeals to the labour and trade union movement to campaign with renewed vigour for:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n