UN Experts Call For Immediate Release Of Iranian Nobel Laureate

A group of independent rights experts from the UN has called for the release of Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi.

Last week, the imprisoned Iranian activist was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in spite of her imprisonment at the notorious Evin Prison in recognition of her fearless dedication to women's rights in Iran.

She is currently serving an extended jail term for charges related to "spreading anti-state propaganda," as stated in a press release from the UN Human Rights Council-appointed Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Since she began her campaigning, she has faced multiple arrests, with her initial detention occurring in 2011 due to her advocacy on behalf of imprisoned human rights activists and their families. In 2015, she was rearrested and handed additional prison sentences.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention highlighted that Iranian authorities persist in depriving Mohammadi of her freedom, despite concerns about her deteriorating health in detention and against the advice of medical professionals. Her detention runs counter to Iran's international human rights obligations.

The experts expressed deep regret that despite calls from the United Nations and the international community, Iranian authorities continue to criminalize Narges Mohammadi for her human rights advocacy.

The UN group consists of five independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. Their mandate includes investigating cases of arbitrary detention which goes against international standards outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international legal instruments accepted by the concerned States.