Like so many, Atena Daemi dreams of an end to the death penalty in Iran. She’s written Facebook and Twitter posts criticizing the country’s execution record. She’s handed out leaflets. And she’s taken part in a peaceful protest against the execution of a young woman. Incredibly, these activities have been cited as “evidence” of her criminal activity and now she’s been sentenced to seven years in jail. Her trial was a sham--it took just 15 minutes. Atena’s cruel treatment is one more bitter example of the intense crackdown on people who speak out for a fairer Iran. Take Action: Sign the petition to tell the head of Iran’s judiciary that Atena must be released today.
To: Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
Your Excellency,
I urge you to release Atena Daemi immediately and unconditionally, and to quash her sentence and conviction. She is a human rights defender who has done nothing more than peacefully campaign against the use of the death penalty in Iran.
She is a prisoner of conscience who has been imprisoned for seven years solely for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
Atena Daemi has been in poor health while imprisoned. Therefore, I call on you to ensure that she is granted access to the specialized medical care she requires outside prison. She must be released today.
Yours sincerely,
