Urgent: Free Narges Mohammadi — Permanently
Narges Mohammadi Must Be Freed - Permanently
We, the undersigned feminist organizations, civil society groups, and human rights defenders, call for the immediate and unconditional release of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi and all women human rights defenders imprisoned in Iran for their peaceful activism.
Narges Mohammadi remains in critical condition and under intensive cardiac care after years of imprisonment, solitary confinement, repeated arrests, physical assault, and systematic medical neglect by Iranian authorities.
Her recent transfer from a hospital in Zanjan to Pars Hospital in Tehran, where she is now receiving treatment from her own medical team, was secured only after sustained international pressure. While necessary, this transfer is not justice.
A temporary suspension of her sentence cannot be mistaken for freedom. Narges Mohammadi must never be returned to prison.
Her case is not an exception. It is a pattern. Across Iran, human rights defenders, activists, lawyers, journalists, and organizers face the same tools of repression: imprisonment, punitive medical neglect, solitary confinement, relentless judicial persecution or even the death penalty. The Iranian authorities have made the systematic targeting of individuals who speak, organize, and resist into policy. Narges Mohammadi's condition is the most visible consequence of that policy but she is far from the only one living it.
States continue to punish women not only for what they say, but for the power they represent when they organize, resist, and lead. The targeting of women human rights defenders is an attack on feminist movements, on civil society, collective organizing, and on the fundamental right of women to live and speak freely. It is gender-based political persecution.
The charges against Narges Mohammadi are false and politically motivated. For years, the authorities have imprisoned her for peacefully defending human rights, women’s rights, dignity, and freedom, while repeatedly adding new accusations to prolong her punishment. This is judicial persecution and it is part of a broader pattern.
At a time of escalating war, militarization, oppression and violence in the region, civilians, human rights defenders, and feminist movements continue to face grave risks. We condemn attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as state repression and violence targeting those who defend human rights, in violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The Iranian people deserve safety, dignity, and justice. Lasting peace and security cannot be built through war, imprisonment, or state violence, but through justice, human rights, and the protection of those who courageously defend them.
Narges Mohammadi’s transfer to hospital must mark the beginning of a permanent release, not a pause in her imprisonment.
We call for:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and all women human rights defenders imprisoned in Iran for their peaceful activism;
- The annulment of all sentences and dismissal of all charges against Narges Mohammadi;
- An end to the systematic criminalization of all human rights defenders in Iran, including imprisonment, surveillance, travel bans, and judicial harassment;
- Full and ongoing access to specialized medical care for Narges Mohammadi.
We urge governments, United Nations mechanisms, feminist movements, international institutions, and media to intensify pressure on Iranian authorities until Narges Mohammadi is permanently free and all women human rights defenders imprisoned for their peaceful activism are released. We stand in solidarity with those inside and outside Iran who continue to resist gender-based repression and defend dignity, freedom, and human rights despite grave personal risk.
Social Media Action Photo
Download Narges Photo for Social Media Action
To support this call publicly, use #FreeNarges and #FreePoliticalPrisoners
Join this call and add your signature as an organization
Signed by:
Nobel Women’s Initiative
Narges Foundation
Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition
PEN America
Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI)
End Gender Apartheid Global Campaign
Middle East Matters
