This year, the European Union awarded the Sakharov Prize to the Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and Iranian film director Jafar Panahi.
The Islamic Republic authorities are getting revenge on Nasrin Sotoudeh and keeping her away from her husband and young children in prison just because of her human and professional acts. They also kept Jafar Panahi, the Iranian freedom lover film director in prison for months and currently under house arrest. We congratulate them both and all Iranian freedom lovers who, during the recent years committed their time to make the Iranian individuals who defend freedom and human rights recognizable for being awarded the Sakharov Prize.
Without any doubt, posing Nasrin Sotoudeh’s name as Sakharov prize winner, will limit the maneuver of the Islamic Republic repressive organs in putting more pressure on defense attorney for political prisoners Nasrin Sotoudeh. We do not have any doubt that the international support will strengthen the Iranian political prisoners struggle for their rights.
We hope that Nasrin Sotoudeh would be freed and back to her family very soon and there would not be need for continuing her hunger strike. We ask all those who are in negotiation with the Islamic Republic to emphasize on the complete release of this year Sakharov prize winners.
Political-Executive Board of the Organization of Iranian People’s Fadaian-Majority
October 28, 2012
