Appeal for Nasrin Sotoodeh to International Lawyers, Judges and Prosecutors

To the attention of:

International Association of Young Lawyers
Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
Federation of European Bars
International Association of Lawyers
International Association of Prosecutors
International Association of Judges

Dear Sirs

We are writing to ask for your support and action regarding the concerning situation of your Iranian colleague Mrs. Nasrin Sotoodeh, the human rights lawyer who was arrested in Iran on September 4.

Nasrin Sotoodeh was arrested after being summoned to court, her home was searched by the Iranian security forces and her belongings were confiscated. She has been on hunger strike since september 24th to protest against her arrest. Nasrin was not allowed to contact her family after being arrested and only after 21 days she was allowed to call her husband Reza Khandan for a few seconds before the call was cut off. In these few seconds Sotoodeh managed to inform that she'd been on hunger strike and was under severe pressure and threats while in prison.

Please note that while Nasrin was charged with acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the state, her only crime is that of representing her clients. Nasrin is in fact currently the lawyer representing several high profile human rights defenders including journalist Isa Saharkhiz and Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, leader of the banned Democratic Front of Iran. She also represented juvenile offenders facing death penalty and is acting as the lawyer for Shirin Ebadi in several cases.

Nasrin Sotoodeh is currently in ward 209 of Evin prison and is reported to be under torture and pressure by Ministry of Intelligence and her cry and weepings can be heard in prison hallways by other prisoners. Her situation is particularly concerning as Nasrin is the mother of two children, aged ten and three, whom she has not been permitted to visit since her arrest.

As individuals and organizations who are committed to justice for all human beings and in solidarity with your colleague Nasrin Sotoodeh, who like yourselves has dedicated her life to defend human rights and justice, we hereby ask you to take supportive action by contacting Iran's General Prosecutor Hojjatoleslam Mohseni Ejei and firmly demand for her immediate and unconditional release from prison.

Yours sincerely,