human rights
Politicians sponsor Iranian prisoners
After the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a woman stands in front of a burning car tire during a demonstration in Tehran. photo
© Uncredited/AP/dpa
Political and media reach aims to attract public attention in order to prevent executions. Many people arrested during the protests face the death penalty.
Around 230 politicians from the Bundestag, state parliaments and European Parliament have taken on political sponsorships for imprisoned people in Iran and those threatened with the death penalty. According to Iran activist Daniela Sepehri, they include Green Party leader Ricarda Lang, SPD leader Saskia Esken, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr and Bundestag Vice President Petra Pau (left).
The sponsorships are intended to attract public attention, prevent executions in Iran and achieve the release of those imprisoned. The sponsors use their political and media reach for this, but also contact the Iranian ambassador and other institutions directly. One requirement is fair trial conditions for the detainees.
The background is the protests in Iran after the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini. She died in police custody after being arrested by the Morality Police for breaking the Islamic dress code. Thousands have since been arrested because of the demonstrations, and several demonstrators have been executed on various charges.
“The Iranian regime is continuing its terror unchecked,” criticized Dürr. He sees it as his task as a member of parliament to give the many political prisoners a voice.