Christian Advocacy Now

On July 31, 2019, Yasaman Aryani was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Iran. Her crime? Removing her headscarf and handing out flowers with her mother to other women in the women-only carriage of a public train. She expressed her hope that one day women could walk together, choosing what they want to wear, with or without the hijab. She did this on International Women’s Day 2019, and this simple action caught on videotape led to her arrest in March 2019, days of being held in solitary confinement and interrogation, and ultimately this extreme and unjust sentence, of which at least 10 years is absolutely compulsory. During her interrogations, officials also tried to coerce a confession from her stating that “foreign elements” were involved in her actions. Yasaman’s arrest and oppression are part of an increasing crackdown on women advocating for the freedom to choose what they want to wear. Dozens of women have been arrested in Iran since 2018 on similar charges, including Yasaman’s mother. Write today calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Yasaman, and for the upholding of basic human rights in Iran.

Write to:

Head of the Judiciary Ebrahim Raisi
c/o Permanent Mission of Iran to the UN
Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28 1209
Geneva
Switzerland

Suggested talking points:

• Express your extreme dismay at the cruel and unjust treatment of Yasaman Aryani for simply removing her headscarf.
• Indicated that you along with a wide international community understand that clothing choice should be seen as a basic freedom protected by the government, instead of a tool to restrict and oppress.
• Express your belief that her sentence of 16 years in prison for this simple, peaceful act is both grievous and unreasonable, and respectfully call for the immediate and unconditional release of Yasaman Aryani.