Mohammad Seifzadeh

IRAN: Mohammad Seifzadeh sentenced to prison by the Iranian judiciary

20 August, 2024

Mohammad Seifzadeh is a lawyer and co-founder of the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran. He was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment by the Iranian judiciary after signing a letter addressed to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In this letter, Me Seifzadeh and 44 other activists called for an international response to the executions in Iran and the repression of demonstrations by ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement.

The revolutionary movement has stepped up its repression of lawyers in Iran, particularly those who have defended the rights of demonstrators. Mr Seifzadeh highlighted the illegal nature of the revolutionary courts and criticised the massive violation of the right to freedom of expression by the Iranian authorities.

The lawyer refused to attend his trial, arguing that the charges against him were politically based and that his right to a fair trial, which is enshrined in the Iranian Constitution, had not been respected.

The 75-year-old Mohammad Seifzadeh suffers from serious health problems. He has already been imprisoned on numerous occasions and the persecution against him continues. He was recently summoned to sign a letter of repentance, which he refused, reaffirming his commitment to the defence of human rights, at the risk of his own life.

The Observatory strongly condemns the decision to detain Mohammad Seifzadeh.

The Observatory is concerned about the lawyer’s state of health, which is likely to deteriorate in detention.

The Observatory urges the Iranian authorities to stop harassing Mr. Seifzadeh.

The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the basic principles of the United Nations on the Role of Lawyers, in particular principles 16 and 18 :

“Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (…).” (Principle 16)

 “Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients‘ causes as a result of discharging their functions.” (Principle 18)