The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has reported a significant increase in the persecution of human rights lawyers in Iran, with five prominent lawyers arrested and sentenced in recent weeks. This repression has intensified since the 2022 protests, utilizing vague charges to silence those defending victims of state violence. CHRI urges the international community to act against these violations, emphasizing the necessary role of independent lawyers in upholding justice.
The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has issued a press release highlighting a worrying escalation in the Iranian government’s crackdown on human rights lawyers and dissidents. In recent weeks, authorities have employed intimidation tactics and targeted prosecutions that have resulted in the arrest and sentencing of five lawyers. Notably, human rights advocates have faced vague accusations such as “propaganda against the state” and “publishing falsehoods” for their work in defending victims of state violence and exposing judicial corruption. Prominent figures like Payam Derafshan are among those facing these baseless charges, while others, including Behnam Nezadi and Khosrow Alikordi, have already been sentenced. CHRI’s leadership has called upon the international community to condemn these actions and advocate for the immediate release of these lawyers and the elimination of charges against them. Furthermore, calls for adherence to international protocols protecting the independence of legal professionals are being emphasized. Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of CHRI, stated that the solitary voices of independent lawyers defending citizens’ rights are crucial to fostering a fair society.
The existing framework of repression in Iran has persisted despite frequent criticism from organizations such as Human Rights Watch (HRW), which asserts that the Iranian government imposes severe restrictions on freedoms of assembly and expression. This leads to widespread arrests and harassment of activists, journalists, and other dissenters. The educational sector, including universities, has also faced scrutiny, with crackdowns on both faculty and students. In recent events, international efforts to secure the release of detained journalist Cecilia Sala illustrate the ongoing risk for those facing accusation by Iranian authorities.
Therefore, in light of the ongoing repression of human rights lawyers and the broader implications of these actions on civil liberties in Iran, the CHRI urges the UN and governments worldwide to take a stand against the persecution of legal advocates. The suppression of these lawyers is a clear reflection of increasing authoritarianism, highlighting the essential role they play in championing justice and accountability within Iranian society.
The deterioration of human rights conditions in Iran has surged following significant protests arising from the Women, Life, Freedom movement. The Iranian government’s response has predominantly involved systematic targeting of dissenters, particularly human rights lawyers who advocate for political and social freedoms. The actions taken against legal professionals serve as a broader signal regarding the Iranian regime’s relationship with individual rights, specifically the right to legal representation and the independence of legal institutions. This climate of fear extends beyond lawyers, encompassing journalists, activists, and protestors, reflecting an ongoing struggle for civil liberties in Iran.
In conclusion, the systematic crackdown on human rights lawyers in Iran represents a stark violation of international human rights principles. The arrests and persecution of prominent lawyers such as Payam Derafshan signal a broader governmental strategy to suppress dissent and control narratives surrounding state violence. CHRI’s call for global condemnation and action is critical in supporting these legal professionals who are essential to the legal and social fabric of an equitable society.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
