UN experts seek to save two activists sentenced to death in Iran
U.N. human rights experts are seeking to save two LGBT rights activists from execution in Iran.
Women’s Agenda of Australia reported:
UN experts are demanding a stay of execution for two women LGBT rights activists in Iran, Zahra Sedighi-Hamadani and Elham Choubdar, who have been sentenced to death by Iranian judicial authorities on charges of “corruption on earth” and “trafficking”.
Although the exact reasons for these charges haven’t been made public, the UN has been privately informed that the two women were charged for speaking and acting in support of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other gender-diverse (LGBT) persons facing discrimination in Iran on account of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
The trafficking charges against them are reportedly due to their efforts to assist people leaving Iranian territory.
Iran’s legal system explicitly prohibits homosexuality and same-sex relations are punishable by death under the country’s penal code and activists frequently denounce the country’s treatment of LGBTI individuals.
In a recent statement, UN representatives condemned the sentencing, and called on authorities to “stay their executions and annul their sentences as soon as possible.”
The statement includes a wide range of signatories and representatives from various UN working groups, including Australia’s Elizabeth Broderick.
This appeal from the UN comes as protests are erupting across Iran over the reported death of a 22-year-old Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, by the country’s morality police for violating dress codes.
Global attention is on Iran as the demonstrations continue, with Canada issuing Iranian sanctions in support.
Last year in October, Islamic Revolutionary guards arrested Sedighi-Hamedani near the Iranian border with Türkiye and it’s been reported she forcibly disappeared for 53 days and was subjected to abuse in a detention centre in Urumieh.
Afterward, Choubdar was arrested on an unknown date.
“Authorities must ensure the health and well-being of both women, and promptly release them from detention,” say the UN.
The demands of the UN representatives to Iranian authorities include an investigation into the alleged ill-treatment of Sedighi-Hamedani while in detention, her disappearance and the failure of judicial authorities to ensure due process for both women, which likely violated their right to a fair trial among other human rights.
They also demand Iran to repeal the death penalty and at the very least, reduce the women’s charges to only criminal actions.
The UN statement, with 22 signatories, says, “Authorities have an international obligation to ensure that all human rights defenders in Iran can conduct peaceful and legitimate activities without fear of persecution or reprisals, including those working on sensitive issues such as sexual orientation and gender identity.”
UN experts say they are closely monitoring the situation and remain in contact with Iranian authorities.
