The following is based on a communication written by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and other UN experts to the Government of Iran on 2 November 2023. The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the Government time to reply.
The Government replied on 23 November 2023, however they did not fully address our concerns regarding how Nasim Soltanbeygi’s human rights activism and journalistic work on social issues can be perceived as criminal offences, nor adequately address our concerns about Ms. Soltanbeygi’s health issues. Ms. Soltanbeygi is currently serving her prison sentence.
Update: On 9 March 2024, Nasim Soltanbeygi was granted temporary release from prison for health-related reasons.
This is a shorter version of the original communication.
BACKGROUND
Topic: the conviction of Nasim Soltanbeygi, a women’s human rights defender and journalist, whose prior detentions have allegedly involved severe mistreatment, leading to her current critical health condition.
Ms. Nasim Soltanbeygi is a woman human rights defender and journalist, focusing mainly on women’s rights issues in Iran. She has been involved in women’s rights movements and contributed to publications addressing social and human rights concerns in marginalized areas of Iran. From 2006 to 2023, she has been arrested three times for her human rights activities. During her detention, Ms. Soltanbeygi allegedly endured intense mistreatment, resulting in serious medical conditions, including epilepsy, which may deteriorate with further incarceration.
ALLEGATIONS
On 12 June 2006, Ms. Soltanbeygi was initially arrested during a women’s rights demonstration in Haft-e Tir Square. Following eight days in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was released on bail. Subsequently, on 15 September 2007, Mrs. Soltanbeygi stood trial at Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court and was given a two-year suspended sentence for charges related to ‘illegal assembly’ and ‘conspiracy against national security.’
On 3 December 2007, Ms. Soltanbeygi was arrested for the second time during a student rally and spent 56 days in detention, 40 of which were in solitary confinement before being released on bail.
On 30 November 2010, Ms. Soltanbeygi was sentenced to six years in prison for her participation in the student movement by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court. Upon appeal, she was acquitted of a year’s sentence for propaganda against the regime, two years were suspended, and her three-year conviction for activities against national security was confirmed.
On 13 October 2012, Ms. Soltanbeygi began serving her 3-year prison sentence at Evin Prison and spent one year in detention before being pardoned and released.
On 11 January 2023, Ms. Soltanbeygi was arrested at the airport by intelligence agents as part of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests and imprisoned for one month in Ward 2A of Evin prison before being released on heavy bail. Despite her temporary release, the intelligence service continued to summon and investigate her, including three times in May 2023. The prosecutor subsequently issued an indictment seeking “the most severe punishment” for her from the court due to her lack of collaboration during the interrogations.
On 3 July 2023, Ms. Soltanbeygi received a sentence from Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, consisting of three years and seven months in prison on the charge of ‘gathering and colluding against national security’ and an additional eight months in prison for ‘propaganda against the state.’ The verdict also imposed a two-year travel ban and a two-year prohibition from participating in political and social groups.
On 18 September 2023, Branch 36 of the appellate court upheld the primary court’s conviction with minor modifications, resulting in a sentence of seven months and sixteen days in prison on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime’, and three years and six months in prison on the charge of ‘gathering and colluding against national security’. In addition to this, the verdict made clear that Ms. Soltanbeygi could not benefit from the amnesty extended in February 2023. This was a general amnesty declared on the 44th anniversary of Iran’s Revolution, leading to the release of many prisoners, including human rights defenders facing similar charges.
CONCERNS
In the communication, we express profound concern regarding the conviction of Nasim Soltanbeygi, which appears to be linked solely to her peaceful human rights activism. Additionally, we are deeply concerned that the enforcement of her prison term could further deteriorate her already compromised health condition after her previous arrests and detentions. These actions appear to be part of a broader pattern indicative of a crackdown on human rights defenders, particularly women’s rights advocates, across Iran. This broader pattern encompasses arbitrary arrests, unfounded charges, and prison sentences lacking due process, which have been widespread since the onset of protests across Iran in September 2022.
Should the allegations be confirmed, they would constitute a violation of the right to liberty and security of person as well as the right to freedom of expression, which can only be subject to limited restrictions in line with international human rights law. We are also worried about the negative implications these violations have on the right to freedom of expression in general, including through the chilling effect on individuals, in particular women and girls, who wish to express themselves, demonstrate peacefully, and participate in public and political life in Iran.
