Homa Hoodfar, a Canadian-Iranian professor who was arrested by Iranian authorities on June 6, has been hospitalized in Iran, according to her family.
The 65-year-old scholar travelled to her home country in February, principally for personal reasons; however, she continued her academic research while in the country. Her trip coincided with parliamentary elections during which a record number of women were elected as MPs, mostly allied with the moderate administration of Hassan Rouhani.
In a statement released Tuesday, Homa Hoodfar’s family said that the Concordia professor was hospitalized due to “rapidly declining health” after being “held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison."
"We are very concerned about her situation because of her hospitalization," her niece, Amanda Ghahremani, told The Canadian Press.
“She was very disoriented, severely weakened, and could hardly walk or talk,” the statement said.
The Concordia University professor was being investigated for “dabbling in feminism.” She was initially arrested in March, shortly before she was to return home, but was released on bail. However, she was arrested again on June 6 on unknown charges and has not been allowed to contact her family or her lawyer since.
“Given the alarming news of Homa’s hospitalization and declining health, we are left with no choice but to publicize these travesties of justice widely, as it has become clear that the authorities are not prioritizing her health and do not intend to respect Homa’s due process rights under Iranian law,” Ghahremani said.
Hoodfar is among three dual nationals and a foreigner arrested and charged by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
The court authorities "have tried to dismiss the lawyer chosen by Professor Hoodfar," and they "also seem to demonstrate an intention to completely isolate Professor Hoodfar and bring her to a point to make a false confession."
Endangered Scholars Worldwide is gravely concerned over the ongoing detention of Hoodfar. We call for letters, emails, and faxes respectfully urging authorities in Iran to investigate the situation; to ensure that any charges or convictions related to Hoodfar's peaceful exercise of human rights are lifted, and that in the interim; and to address her case in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial, and detention, in accordance with Iran’s obligations under international law.
Consider writing to the following:
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Jomhouri St, Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 644 11
Website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.Khamenei.ir
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
President Hassan Rouhani
The office of the President
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Imam Khomeini Sq. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Minister’s Office
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 66743149
Website: http://www.mfa.gov.ir
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jzarif