17 Human Rights Organizations call for halting execution of activists Bakhshan Azizi ,Varesheh Moradi

At least 17 human rights organizations have sent an open letter to the German Federal Government, the European Parliament, and the United Nations, warning of the danger of executing activists Bakhshan Azizi and Varesheh Moradi, stressing that the Iranian authorities are using the death penalty as a tool to suppress and silence critical voices.

4 March, 2025 16:44

NEWS DESK

17 human rights organizations have called on the German government and the European Union to use all diplomatic means to ensure the immediate suspension of the death sentences against activists Bakhshan Azizi and Varesheh Moradi.

They also called on the United Nations to pressure the Iranian authorities to respect international human rights standards and abolish the death penalty.

The signatories stressed that these sentences do not only target Bakhshan and Varesheh’s lives, but also represent a flagrant violation of the rights of women, minorities, and activists around the world.

Excerpts from the letter to governments and international bodies

"To the Federal Government of Germany, the European Parliament, and the UN human rights bodies, we send this letter with the utmost concern and urgency, as Kurdish activists Bakhshan Azizi and Varesheh Moradi have been sentenced to death. Their only crime is fighting for justice and human rights. These sentences not only threaten their lives, but also set a dangerous precedent for the violation of the rights of women, minorities, and activists around the world."

The letter reads: "Bakhshan Azizi worked as a social activist in North and East Syria, supporting women and girls who fled ISIS, while Varesheh Moradi was an activist for women's issues. They represent many men and women in Iran who have stood up against injustice for freedom and justice, taking enormous risks to achieve this."

The Islamic Republic of Iran systematically uses executions as a tool to suppress dissent and silence critical voices. The international community should not ignore this repressive approach. The world is interconnected, every voice counts, and silence cannot be the answer to this injustice.

We call on the German government and the European Union to use all diplomatic means to ensure that the death sentences of Bakhshan Azizi and Varesheh Moradi are immediately suspended. We also call on the United Nations to pressure the Iranian authorities to abolish the death penalty once and for all.

We must send a clear message to Bakhshan, Varesheh and all those detained in Iran that the world will not remain silent when lives are at stake.”

ANHA