Letter to the Ambassador Seyed Hossein Rezvani, Iranian Embassy in Norway
November 18, 2021
PEN Norway is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi
PEN Norway is deeply concerned for the prominent journalist, human rights defender and honorary member of PEN Norway, Narges Mohammadi, following her arrest in Tehran this week. We call for her immediate and unconditional release.
On the 26th of September 2011, she was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her work advocating against death penalty. She remained free on bail and the sentence was reduced to six years on appeal in April 2012. Mohammadi’s health has severely declined as a result of her imprisonment. In May 2019, Mohammadi underwent an emergency hysterectomy, but after the surgery she was immediately transferred back to Evin prison where she was denied necessary medication. She recently published an open letter where she powerfully describes the prison conditions which have caused her severe health problems. Mohammadi was released from prison in October 2020.
In May 2021, a court sentenced her to 80 lashes, 30 months in prison and a fine – a sentence which has been declared “final and enforceable.” The European Union has called on Iran to review the sentence under international human rights law and take into consideration her deteriorating health.
PEN Norway is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi, and others who have been detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Kjersti Løken Stavrum
President,
PEN Norway
Øivind Hånes
Chair of PEN Norway’s Writers in Prison Committee
