Women's rights activists in Iran have been under a lot of pressure during the past couple of years. Arrests and "suspended" sentences paralyze and suppress their work regularly. Up to now, their sentences were not carried out but hung over their heads as a means of control. But this week for the first time a sentence is being carried out. Alieh Eghdamdoust was arrested and taken to prison to start a three-year jail term. Here is a link to news about her in Reuters.

These women are not radical according to Iranian standards, nor are they part of a covert operation. They are regular people like you and me, who volunteer to collect signatures for a petition addressed to their parliament representatives. The petition is asking for a reform in discriminatory laws.

Imagine what it means for Alieh to be taken away from her family and from her normal life, to spend 3 whole years in jail. Many women's rights groups have expressed their concern for Alieh.

Nafiseh Azad , another young women's rights activist has been arrested and is in custody right now. She was arrested over the weekend (friday in Iran) while collecting signatures at a hiking trail in Tehran.

You can show your solidarity by signing this petition and asking for their release. Your support makes a big difference.

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February 2, 2009 11:49 PM

[0+]  Ariel said:

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

Thanks for the heads up.

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