On September 5, 2018 Endangered Scholars Worldwide learned that a University of Tehran photography student was sentenced to seven years in prison by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court.
Parisa Rafiei, 21, was arrested on February 25, 2018 by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry for allegedly attending protests that swept through Tehran and other Iranian cities in December 2017 and January 2018. She was later accused of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against Islamic Republic,” according to Saeed Khalili, Rafiei’s defense attorney, in a note published by Ensaf News on August 13.
“My client explained in court that she is simply a student activist working within the boundaries of the laws of the Islamic Republic,” Khalili added.
Rafiei was interrogated for three weeks without legal representation before being released on bail three weeks later.
At least 19 students were arrested for joining the protests earlier this year. They are being sentenced to harsh prison terms, and these sentences are being upheld by Iran’s Appeals Courts.
Endangered Scholars Worldwide urges the Iranian authorities to release all the students behind bars simply arrested for the peaceful demonstrations. ESW calls on the Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani to defend students’ right of freedom of expression. We ask all international organizations, academic and professional associations, and other groups and individuals devoted to the promotion and defense of human rights to protest and condemn continued abuse of students, and we urge the officials of the Iranian government to respect, guarantee, and implement the provisions and principles of human rights as specified in international conventions and treaties in accordance with Iran’s obligations under international law.
Please send appeals to the following:
President Hassan Rouhani The Office of the President Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection Tehran Islamic Republic of Iran
Javad Zarif Minister of Foreign Affairs The Minister’s Office Imam Khomeini Square Tehran Islamic Republic of Iran Fax: +98 21 66743149 Website: http://www.mfa.gov.ir Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzarif