Article 19

12/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/15/2025 08:22

Iran: Narges Mohammadi arrested amid crackdown on rights defenders

ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the arrest of Iranian human rights defender, journalist, and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was detained by Iranian security forces over the weekend, while attending a memorial ceremony for the late human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. We call for an immediate and unconditional release of both Mohammadi and all other detained activists and journalists.

According to individuals in attendance, on 12 December, Iranian security forces apprehended Mohammadi and several other attendees, during the service in Mashhad, including prominent activists and human rights defenders Alieh Motalebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, and Pouran Nazemi. The Narges Mohammadi Foundation has stated that Mohammadi was reportedly beaten and dragged during the arrest, resulting in her being hospitalised. She was briefly able to contact her family and indicated that the security forces have given her no explanation as to why she has been detained.

Narges Mohammadi has repeatedly faced persecution for her human rights advocacy, including her longstanding opposition to the death penalty, women's rights abuses, and systemic repression in Iran. She has spent much of the last decade in prison and was conditionally released on medical grounds in late 2024.

The continued harassment (both online and in person), arbitrary detention, and judicial persecution of Mohammadi and her colleagues are demonstrative of a broader pattern of repression by Iranian authorities aimed at silencing dissent and intimidating human rights activists. These actions undermine fundamental freedoms, deepen the already severely restricted space for free expression, and violate Iran's international human rights obligations.

ARTICLE 19 stands in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all detained human rights defenders and journalists - all must be immediately and unconditionally released. We urge the international community, governments, and multilateral institutions to increase pressure on the Iranian authorities to respect human rights, ensure the safety and well-being of detainees, and uphold the basic freedoms that are the foundation of any just society.
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