Canadian Professor Homa Hoodfar, a respected academic scholar and researcher on women and the family in the Middle East and the Muslim World, is being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison. The government of Canada must urgently intervene to secure her immediate release and safe return to Canada.
Dr. Hoodfar was in Iran visiting family and undertaking some archival research on women's participation in public life since 1906 when Revolutionary Guards detained her for questioning March 10, 2016. Authorities searched the house, seizing her passport, phone, research papers and computer.
Released on bail, Dr. Hoodfar faced repeated interrogations – all without a lawyer present – until she was arrested on June 6. The reasons for her arrest are unclear, but could involve national security related charges. She has not been granted access to her family or legal counsel, and may be held in solitary confinement. There are serious concerns that while in detention she may not receive the specialized medical care she needs for a neurological condition.
Research is not a crime. No one should be targeted for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association. Amnesty International considers Dr. Hoodfar to be a prisoner of conscience.
Join our call for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Homa Hoodfar.
Dear Minister Dion:
I urge you to immediately intervene to secure the release of Canadian academic Professor Homa Hoodfar, arrested on June 6 and currently held at Evin prison, possibly in solitary confinement. She has no access to her family or a lawyer, and her health is at risk.
The arrest of this respected and accomplished scholar, whose work focused on addressing women’s inequality, is the latest attempt by the Iranian authorities to target individuals for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association. Amnesty international considers Professor Hoodfar to be a prisoner of conscience.
At a time when Canada has signalled its intention to restore relations with the Iranian government, it is essential that the Canadian government bring all possible pressure to bear and exhaust all possible avenues to gain Professor Hoodfar’s freedom.
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