Berlin/Paris/Brussels (DAV) The German Bar Association (DAV) published a further joint statement with the G7 Bar Associations and Law Societies in Paris this week, calling for the immediate release of Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, in continuation of its commitment to the G7 initiative of summer 2019 and in preparation for the forthcoming G7 Summit 2020 in the USA.
The G7 Bars Associations and Law Societies call on the Iranian judiciary to ensure that, as long as Ms Sotoudeh is detained, the conditions meet humanitarian standards. They also reiterate their call on the government to ensure the free and independent exercise of the legal profession in Iran, without intimidation and undue interference by the state.
Ms Sotoudeh was arrested on 13 June 2018 at her home in Tehran and taken to Evin prison, where she is still being held. On 30 December 2018, she was sentenced to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes. She has been accused of "inciting corruption and prostitution", “openly sinful public appearances without a headscarf" and "disturbing public order”.
DAV President Edith Kindermann has already advocated for the immediate release of Sotoudeh after the publication of the conviction. This commitment was confirmed in July of this year, when the Bar Associations and Law Societies of the G7 states demanded the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh for the first time in a joint resolution.
The current statement is accompanied by a social media campaign. Under the hash tag #1Minute4Nasrin everyone is called upon to demand the release of the human rights lawyer in short videos. The G7 Bar Associations and Law Societies took the lead with a joint video.
On 28 November Nasrin Sotoudeh received the Human Rights Award 2019 of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), together with three other imprisoned Iranian lawyers – Abdolfattah Soltani, Mohammad Najafi and Amirsalar Davoudi.