Nasrin SotoudehIran
Nasrin Sotoudeh, born 1963, is an Iranian journalist, human rights activist, and lawyer imprisoned since September 4, 2010 on charges including “propaganda against the state.” She is the married mother of two young children.
Ms. Sotoudeh holds a Master’s degree in international law from Shahid Behshti University and passed the bar examination in 1995, but was prevented from practicing law until 2003 because of opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence. During this time, she began work as a journalist and reported on women’s and children’s rights issues. As an attorney, Ms. Sotoudeh represented participants in the rights movement, including journalists, university students, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi.
In addition to her legal practice, Ms. Sotoudeh worked as a vocal campaigner for women’s rights. She joined the Campaign for One Million Signatures, dedicated to the abolition of laws that discriminate against Iranian women. In 2009, during the run-up to the presidential election in June, she also helped found the Coalition of Women’s Rights Movement which brought women’s demands to the attention of the candidates.
On September 4, 2010, Iranian authorities arrested Mr. Sotoudeh on charges of propaganda against the state, acting against national security, violating hijab in a filmed speech, and membership in the Center for the Defense of Human Rights. She was denied bail, access to a lawyer, and visits from her family. For her work as a lawyer and human rights defender, the Iranian government sentenced Ms. Sotoudeh to six years in prison.
On May 6, 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found her detention violates Iran’s obligations under international law and called for her immediate release.
Freedom Now, along Alex Chalk from the Chambers of David Fisher QC and David Perry QC and Ms. Ebadi, serves as pro bono international legal co-counsel to Ms. Sotoudeh.
- Selected documents from Nasrin Sotoudeh's case
- Behind the Islamic Republic's BlusterDecember 30, 2011
Wall Street Journal op-ed by Shirin Ebadi.
- Opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary DetentionDecember 30, 2011
Finding the detention of Ms. Sotoudeh a violation of international law.
- The World Must Expose the Scandal of Iranian DetaineesDecember 13, 2011
The Times op-ed by Alex Chalk.