TEHRAN, Iran – Hundreds of Iranians have signed an open letter calling for women’s rights defender Khadijeh Moghaddam to be released.  Moghaddam was arrested on April 8 on charges of acting against national security.  She is involved in the drive to gather one million signatures opposing laws that discriminate against women.  She is also an environmental activist.  Bail was set at one billion rials (108,000 dollars).  The letter was sent to newspapers and websites across Iran.

The letter was signed by over 600 people and demanded that Khadijeh Moghaddam’s “illegal detention” end as soon as possible.  The letter said, “Moghaddam is a pioneer in environmental protection in Iran,” the letter said, noting her cooperation with city officials over waste management and protests against deforestation.  “She has been active for years in creating jobs for women and forming women’s cooperatives,” it added. “Who would believe Moghaddam has harmed national security or caused public offence?”

Amnesty International said they believed Moghaddam was arrested solely for her work to increase the support for equal rights for Iranian women.  Several women have been jailed for their involvement in the campaign as Iran has stepped up arrests of human rights campaigners and trade unionists over the past year.  One of the campaign’s leaders, Parvin Ardalan, was barred from leaving Iran in March to collect a prestigious Swedish rights award, the Olof Palme Prize.  She won the award for her contributions to the women’s rights movement.

For more information, please see:
Radio Free Europe – Iran: Arrests, Jailings of Political and Rights Activists Continue – 14 April 2008

AFP – Iran Activists Protest Feminist’s Arrest – 12 April 2008

BBC – Iran Pressed to Free Campaigner – 12 April 2008