Iran Human Rights (Apr 20, 2018): While expressing deep concerns, Iran Human Rights demands the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, a human rights activist who has been on a hunger strike for 76 days now.
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, a human rights activist, was transferred to the solitary confinement of Shahr-e-Rey Prison from Evin Prison along with another human rights activist, named Atena Daemi, on January 24, 2018. The two of them went on a hunger strike since February 3, 2018. Atena Daemi had to stop her strike after about 23 days due to her health condition, but Golrokh is still on hunger strike.
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee was transferred to a hospital on April 3, after 60 days of hunger strike due to her health condition and she is still hospitalized. The news suggests that she still refuses to eat.
One of her relatives told IHR, “Golrokh is not in a good physical condition due to her hunger strike. She won’t let the medics treat her unless she is returned to Evin Prison. She has serious kidney, stomach and intestine problems and Cardiac arrhythmia.
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee was arrested along with her husband Arash Sadeqi and two of their friends by the Intelligence Protection Organization of Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution on September 6, 2014. She was sentenced to six years imprisonment on the charge of insulting Islam and propaganda against the system.
Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced Golrokh Ebrahimi to six years and her husband to 15 years in prison in May 2015. After the retrial, their sentences were approved, and they were sent to prison.
Golrokh Ebrahimi was sentenced to one year in prison for propaganda against the system and five years for insulting Islam by writing an unpublished story in her notebook.
Unveiling and protesting compulsory hijab, condemning death penalty, signing different statements against the death penalty, and participating in gatherings to support political prisoners, and meeting political prisoners were some of her charges that counted as “anti-security activities.”
Golrokh had earlier told IHR that she was not present at the first trial and couldn’t defend herself and the court held the trial in her absence.
Although Human rights Organizations and UN Special Rapporteurs have demanded their freedom several times, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee and Atena Daemi are still in prison.
Iran Human Rights demands the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to release Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee and other human rights activists who are only arrested for using their basic rights immediately and unconditionally.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director and spokesperson of IHR, said, “All countries with good ties with the Iranian authorities have a moral responsibility towards Golrokh Iraee and all other human rights defenders who are currently in prison. You must show that your good ties with the Islamic Republic also benefit the human rights defenders. Golrokh’s condition is critical and needs the international community’s urgent attention. We need to act now before it is too late.”