Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi’s Message on International Women’s Day

In support to the Iranian women and teachers in Lieu of World Women’s Day, March 8^Th 2007.

Report by Darius KADIVAR

This year, the International Women's Day is marked by the attack, arrest and detention of women's rights defenders in front of Tehran's Revolutionary Court. On Sunday March 4^th, thirty three women were arrested following a peaceful demonstration. As of now thirty of these women have been released. Those released confirm that the remaining women— Shadi Sadr, Mahbubeh Abbasgholizadeh, and Jila Baniyaghoub,— are still in ward 209 of Evin Prison (run by the Ministry of Intelligence of Islamic Republic of Iran, designated primarily for the political prisoners). The reason for their detention is drafting a statement that called for the gathering.

Given these sad circumstances the Former Shahbanou of Iran’s annual message has once again been echoing the current preoccupation of her genders and her staunch support towards her female compatriots as well as teachers who have recently expressed their discontent with the current situation.

Below is the content of her Message in English as well as in Persian.

HIM Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi’s Message of support to the Iranian women and teachers in Lieu of World Women’s Day, March 8^Th 2007.

Women Of Iran, the pioneers of freedom, who from the dawn of Islamic Revolution voiced their opposition against violating women rights and imposing primitive laws, Once again with their brave presence on March 8^Th have revealed and demonstrated that in fight against despotism are at the front line.

Despite the pressures of current regime for the past 28 years, the attentive and devoted teachers of our country have been able to fulfill their obligations toward the nation. And  in the recent days with their union and gatherings before the congress , they have risen to fight against injustice and discrimination.

On this day March 8^Th 2007, Women’s day, along with my admiration for the freedom seekers I declare my support for the women rights activists and teachers of our beloved country. And I have no doubt that the great Victory is ahead of us.

Farah Pahlavi

16 Esfand 1385

More on the Free Women’s Rights Defenders in Iran Campaign ( Press Release )

On Sunday March 4, 2007, women's right defenders gathered in front of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran to protest the court proceedings of Nooshin Amhadi Khorasani, Parvin Ardalan, Shahla Entesari and Susan Tahmasebi, Fariba Davoodi Mohajer—five prominent members of Iranian women's organizations who were arrested in pervious peaceful gatherings. As indicated by the women's right activists and their legal teams the charges are in violation of the article 27 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran, which guarantees the citizens' right to assemble peacefully. In violation of such right, the security police forces attacked women's legal and peaceful gathering and arrested thirty-three protestors.

On March 5, fifty family members and friends of detainees gathered in front of the main entrance of Evin prison to protest the illegal arrests of their loved ones and to demand their immediate release. Consequently, prison authorities declared that Evin prison does not have the authority to release the detainees, as they are kept in ward 209, which is monitored and supervised by the Ministry of Intelligence.

In the following days, two groups of women were released from prison. This morning, at around 2:00 am, another group of fifteen women were released. It seems the reason for keeping the three women in detention is that they have accepted full responsibility for drafting the call for the gathering that took place on March 4.

Many international human rights and women organizations and prominent figures including Iranian political and social activists, lawyers, writers, journalists, and academics have denounced the arrest of women's rights advocates demanding their immediate and unconditional release, including Louise Arbor, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Irene Khan, Amnesty International General Secretary, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, Women Living Under Muslim Laws, Women's Initiative for Gender Justice and the Observatory. Yet, more women's rights advocates are being summoned to the court and threatened by arrest. This is while the authorities are promising release of more detainees.

The Campaign to Free Women Rights Defenders in Iran

The campaign has been launched immediately after the arrest of women activists by a group of transnational activists. For more information about the campaign and the complete list of supporters, please visit the site:

http://www.meydaan.org/English/campaign.aspx?cid=52

Contacts For Updated and Detailed Information:

The Free Women's Rights Defenders in Iran Campaign coordinators are ready to provide detailed information about the status of women detainees.

The coordinators are willing to put reporters and news agencies in touch with the families and lawyers of the women in custody. The campaign coordinators can be contacted by phone or email.

Soheila Vahdati, soheilavahdati@gmail.com +1.510.813.7786

Sanam Dolatshahi, sanamdi@gmail.com   +1.352.359.3789