Forough Sami'nia

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER

Country(ies) of nationality

Type of HRD

HRD's thematic area of engagement

HRD's bio and work: Forough Sami-Nia is a women's rights activist and human rights defender who was arrested and prosecuted in Gilan Province for participating in peaceful protests and advocating for women's rights. Along with other female activists, she was sentenced by the Rasht Revolutionary Court on charges of "assembly and collusion to act against national security." Forough is recognized as a prominent figure in the defense of women's rights and has faced significant security and judicial pressures due to her activism. She, along with several other activists, was transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht to serve her sentence.

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

Geolocation of detention

Latitude: 37.22875275234703

Longitude: 49.574798507124356

Charge(s)

Recent case update / evolution: Ms. Sami'nia was sentenced to six years, one month, and 17 days of imprisonment by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, presided over by Judge Mahdi Rasakhee. This sentence was ultimately upheld by Branch 11 of the Appeals Court of Gilan Province, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran Aqideh.

Forough Sami' nia was temporarily released from Lakan Prison in Rasht after the acceptance of her request for a retrial, which resulted in a suspension of her sentence.

Any other relevant documents: فروغ سمیع نیا: با فشار از پایین، قصد تصویب قانون منع خشونت خانوادگی را داریم https://www.hra-news.org/interviews/a-86/

Iran: Mass Arrests of Women’s Rights Defenders https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/08/19/iran-mass-arrests-womens-rights-defenders

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