Pakhshan Azizi
Pakhshan Azizi is a Kurdish human rights activist and Iranian political prisoner currently awaiting execution.
Prior to 2023 arrest
[edit]Pakhshan Azizi was born to a Kurdish family living in Mahabad, Iran.[1] She attended and graduated from Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran with a degree in social work. On November 16 2009, while attending the university, Azizi protested alongside other Kurdish students against political executions in Kurdistan. She was arrested and detained for her participation in the protest gathering. After being released on bail on March 19 2010 after four months of detention, Azizi moved to the Kurdistan region of Iraq.[2][3] In 2015, Azizi began working in northeast Syria as a social worker and humanitarian, supporting refugees and victims of the Islamic State.[4]
2023 Arrest and judicial proceedings
[edit]Azizi was arrested at her parent's home in Shahrak-e Kharrazi, Tehran by the Ministry of Intelligence on 4 August 2023.[4][5] Azizi's father, Aziz Azizi, and Pakhshan's sister Pershang (alternatively referred to as Pashang) Azizi and Pershang's husband Hossein Abbasi, were also arrested.[1] Pakhshan Azizi's family members were released after several days of interrogation, while Azizi was detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in solitary confinement. She remained in solitary confinement for several months, during which time she reported being physically beaten and tortured to extract confessions, denied legal representation, and denied visits with family. On December 11 2023, Azizi was transferred out of solitary confinement and into the women's ward of Evin Prison. In February 2024, Azizi was formally charged with baghi, armed insurrection, by Branch Five of the Evin Security Prosecutor's Office.[6] On July 23 2024, Azizi's lawyers were informed that Azizi had been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court.[6]
Response and support
[edit]On July 16 2024, the Coalition For Women in Journalism issued a statement in solidarity with Azizi, condemning her arrest and treatment in detainment.[7] On July 24 2024, the day after Azizi was notified of her sentence, female political prisoners at the Evin Prison staged a sit-in protesting Azizi's death sentence.[3] On September 9 2024, the Center for Human Rights in Iran issued a joint statement alongside twenty-five other human rights organizations urging Iran to revoke Azizi's death sentence. Other signatories of the statement include The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, United4Iran, Justice for Iran, and Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO).[8] The human rights organization Amnesty International launched a campaign on Azizi's behalf on September 30 2024. The organization published an open model letter addressed to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the Chief Justice of Iran, encouraging people to write their own appeals on Azizi's behalf or use the model letter.[9] The Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran issued a statement condemning Azizi's death sentence January 8 2025.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Death Sentence for Kurdish Activist Pakhshan Azizi Upheld; IHRNGO Calls for a Strong Global Response". Iran Human Rights. 2025-01-08. Archived from the original on 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "KHRN: Pakhshan Azizi". Kurdistan Human Rights Network. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ a b "Pakhshan Azizi: Women Prisoners Protest Her Death Sentence". NCRI Women Committee. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ a b Braimah, Tawa (2024-10-16). "Iran: Kurdish activist faces death sentence". Amnesty International Canada. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ Rezaei, Roghayeh (2024-08-19). "Pakhshan Azizi: Sentenced to Death for Assisting Women Targeted by ISIS". IranWire. Archived from the original on 2024-08-25. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ a b "KHRN: Iran court sentences Kurdish activist Pakhshan Azizi to death". Kurdistan Human Rights Network. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ "Iran: Imprisoned Kurdish Journalist Pakhshan Azizi Denied Contact with Family". Coalition For Women in Journalism. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ "Joint Statement: 26 Human Rights Organizations Urge Iran to Revoke Death Sentence for Kurdish Woman Activist". Center for Human Rights in Iran. 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ "Iran: Kurdish Woman Activist Sentenced to Death: Pakhshan Azizi". Amnesty International. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
- ^ Committee, NCRI Women's (2025-01-08). "NCRI Women's Committee Condemns Death Sentence for Kurdish Political Prisoner, Urges Action Needed". NCRI. Retrieved 2025-01-10.