Female labor activist sentenced to death in Iran

Sharifeh Mohammadi, a prominent labor activist imprisoned in Iran has been sentenced to death on charges of armed rebellion.

The Campaign to Defend Mohammadi wrote on Instagram, "This sentence is based on the pretext of Ms. Mohammadi's membership in an independent, public, and legal labor organization a decade ago, demonstrating the baselessness of the verdict."

The campaign’s statement called the ruling "absurd and unfounded," intended to instil fear among activists as the government continues to oppress any voices of dissent.

Mohammadi, who was arrested in December, is one of the latest in a wave of executions in a bid to quash dissent. Last year, 834 Iranians were executed, according to the United Nations. It was a record high, 50 percent higher than the previous year.

At least 22 of those were women, Iran the world's number one executioner of women. The 2023 figures were the highest since 2014 according to Iran Human Rights.

The campaign called for Mohammadi's acquittal and unconditional release, declaring, "This sentence is not only against Sharifeh but is a declaration of war and a death sentence against all social and civil activists."

In January, the UN called for an end to the "horrific wave of executions" underway, with 67 executions in May alone.