Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
On November 26, 2024, Serveh Pourmohammadi, a woman human rights defender and member of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association, was sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly forming a group to threaten national security. This ruling was made by Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court of Appeals, following a long and tumultuous legal struggle. Pourmohammadi has received a ten-day notice before she must begin her prison term.
For years, Pourmohammadi has tirelessly advocated for the socio-cultural rights of the Kurdish community, particularly through teaching the Kurdish language and organizing cultural events. The Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the rights of ethnic groups in Iran, promoting cultural education across various cities.
Her appeal against a previous ten-year sentence had been ongoing, as her peaceful actions were mischaracterized as threats to national security. During this drawn-out process, the absence of court representation hindered justice, culminating in her current five-year sentence. Pourmohammadi’s activism, especially her connection to the Nozhin Association, has made her a target of judicial retribution.
Her sister, Soma Pourmohammadi, and her brother-in-law were also arrested, highlighting the dire circumstances facing defenders of human rights in Iran. Pourmohammadi’s association has adopted Kurdish as their means of communication in defiance of restrictions on their language and educational rights, signaling a serious cultural battle.
The harsh sentences faced by members of the Nozhin Association echo earlier convictions against its founder, Zahra Mohammadi, who received a five-year sentence under similar charges. However, the cases of some members like Soma Pourmohammadi ended in acquittal, indicating a patchwork of judicial responses to peaceful activism.
Front Line Defenders has condemned Pourmohammadi’s sentence as arbitrary and retaliatory, calling it a violation of Iranian law and human rights. The organization urges immediate action from authorities to overturn her conviction and end the judicial harassment of her and other activists, emphasizing the need for a safe environment for all human rights defenders in Iran.
Serveh Pourmohammadi is a prominent figure in advocating for the rights of the Kurdish community in Iran, particularly through her involvement with the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association. Since its inception, the association has focused on cultural education and the promotion of legal rights for ethnic minorities. Pourmohammadi’s recent sentencing represents a broader trend of oppressive measures against activists in Iran, particularly those advocating for minority rights. The Iranian legal system has faced criticism for its treatment of peaceful human rights defenders, invoking concerns over judicial fairness and the protection of civil liberties.
In summary, Serveh Pourmohammadi’s conviction underscores the perilous environment for human rights defenders in Iran, marked by judicial oppression and arbitrary sentencing. Her sentencing highlights a systemic attempt to stifle the voices advocating for cultural rights and freedoms. Organizations like Front Line Defenders continue to call for justice, urging the Iranian authorities to respect the rights of all activists and ensure their ability to operate without fear of retribution. The fight for cultural and legal recognition for ethnic minorities remains a crucial struggle in the ongoing battle for human rights in Iran.
