Nasrin Sotoudeh is a leading human rights lawyer and journalist respected for her defense of the rights of women and children in Iran. She defended political activists and protesters arrested following the disputed presidential elections in June 2009.
Sotoudeh was detained on September 4 2010 and charged with “propaganda against the state,” and “acting against national security.” She has been held in solitary confinement since the arrest and is reportedly on hunger strike to protest against the disregard for her legal rights by government officials.
From the time of her arrest, she has been subjected to intense interrogations and additionally charged with “not observing Islamic dress code” with regards to a videotaped message she made in 2008.
Despite trials held on November 15 and 28, no sentence has been issued.
As a result of several hunger strikes and mistreatment in prison, Sotoudeh’s health is deteriorating and she has been transferred to hospital.
On 17 December, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi announced a sit-in in to take place in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to demand her release.
The demonstration began last Monday.
Over 100 journalists have been imprisoned in Iran since the disputed election last June.
IPI calls for the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh, and all other journalists detained in Iran because of their work.