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Top Experts Say His COVID-19 Diagnosis “Shows Real Risks to Inmates in Iran”
Top UN experts * released a statement today, welcoming the temporary release of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh on November 7, 2020, who had been jailed since 2018 on bogus charges, but urging Iranian authorities to “cancel his beliefs and ensure that his release is permanent. “
Regarding the recent confirmation that Sotoudeh contracted COVID-19 during his detention and hospitalization, the experts said, “Ms. Sotoudeh’s COVID-19 test reports are extremely concerning. We had warned the Iranian government several times of this probability. We are now calling on the Iranian authorities to ensure that Ms. Sotoudeh is able to gain unhindered access to the health care she needs to treat both her underlying condition and COVID-19 disease. “
They continued: “Despite her temporary release, Ms. Sotoudeh’s convictions and prison sentences are still valid despite a multitude of evidence showing the arbitrary, illegal and disproportionate nature of these decisions. … His positive COVID-19 test also shows the real risks for detainees in Iran. We therefore ask once again that all individuals arbitrarily detained be granted at least temporary release at this time to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19 in prison. “
Below is the full statement from the United Nations experts.
Iran: Temporary release of human rights lawyer is a positive first step
Persian
GENEVA (13 November 2020) – UN human rights experts * today welcomed the temporary release, on 7 November 2020, of Iranian female human rights defender and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and urged the Iranian authorities to cancel his beliefs and ensure his release is permanent.
“The Iranian authorities have made the right decision to grant Nasrin Sotoudeh temporary release given his basic health conditions. However, serious problems remain in relation to his convictions, convictions and detentions which need to be resolved urgently, “the experts said.
Ms Sotouteh, an internationally recognized human rights lawyer, is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence after being sentenced on seven counts in March 2019. Her convictions relate to her duties as a lawyer, including defending defenders of human rights of women. Experts have previously raised serious concerns that his current detention is arbitrary.
Concerns over his imprisonment have been exacerbated in recent months due to reports regarding his health condition and fears of COVID-19. Despite continuing concerns, she was later transferred to the Qarchak prison outside Tehran, known for its particularly dire condition. Experts have raised the alarm that Ms. Sotoudeh is now reported to test positive for COVID-19, which she likely contracted while in prison.
“Ms. Sotoudeh’s COVID-19 test reports are extremely concerning. We had warned the Iranian government several times of this probability. We are now calling on the Iranian authorities to ensure that Ms. Sotoudeh is able to gain unhindered access to the health care she needs to treat both her underlying condition and the COVID-19 disease, “the experts said.
“Despite her temporary release, Ms. Sotoudeh’s convictions and prison terms are still valid despite a multitude of evidence demonstrating the arbitrary, illegal and disproportionate nature of these decisions. We reaffirm that the Iranian authorities should immediately overrule her convictions, re-examine her case consistently with international standards and ensure she remains free during the review process, “the experts urged.
“His positive COVID-19 test also shows the real risks for detainees in Iran. We therefore ask once again that all individuals arbitrarily detained be granted at least temporary release at this time to mitigate the risk of contracting COVID-19 in prison. “
* UN experts: Javaid Rehman, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; Mary Lawlor, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Elizabeth Broderick (president), Elena Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Meskerem Geset Techane, Ivana RadačIć, Melissa Upreti (vice president), Working group on discrimination against women and girls; Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Diego García-Sayán, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights of peaceful assembly and association; Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Dubravka Šimonović, Special rapporteur on violence against women; SM. Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special speaker on the right of all to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
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