In a compelling statement published by Le Monde, a collective of 32 prominent intellectuals, human rights activists, women’s rights advocates, and political figures have called for the immediate release and demanded freedom for Maryam Akbari Monfared, a political prisoner detained in Iran for 15 years.
Among the signatories are Élisabeth Badinter, a celebrated French philosopher, Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian senator and activist, and Laurence Tubiana, a key figure in global climate policy. Their appeal highlights not only the injustices faced by Akbari Monfared but also the systemic repression of women and political dissidents under the Iranian regime.
Maryam Akbari Monfared’s imprisonment stems from her peaceful demands for justice, particularly for the 1988 mass executions in Iran that claimed the lives of several family members. As a mother of three, she has endured inhumane treatment, isolation, and a denial of basic rights, becoming a symbol of resilience and courage. Her writings from prison reflect her unyielding spirit. In one such letter, she proclaimed: “The Islamic Republic has brought nothing but death, plunder, and bloodshed to Iran… I demand justice for my stolen life and for all innocent lives shattered.”
Despite completing her sentence, Maryam remains in detention, with authorities arbitrarily extending her imprisonment. In July 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, condemned her treatment and characterized the 1988 mass executions as genocide and crimes against humanity, urging international investigations.
The publication of this statement in Le Monde, one of France’s leading newspapers, amplifies the call for justice on a global scale. The article serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international action to address human rights abuses in Iran. The signatories have urged France and European nations to champion the cause of Maryam Akbari Monfared and bring accountability to the Iranian regime for its decades-long record of atrocities.
This collective effort demonstrates the powerful solidarity of global activists, urging the world not to forget the plight of political prisoners in Iran, particularly women like Maryam Akbari Monfared, whose courage continues to inspire.
The statement is endorsed by a diverse group of notable individuals and organizations:
– Jocelyne Adriant Mebtoul (President of the NGO Women of the World and Reciprocally)
– Muriel Affoué (Doctor of Sciences)
– Azadeh Alemi (President of Women, Freedom, and Secularism – FLL)
– Dominique Attias (President of the Board of the Foundation of European Lawyers)
– Elisabeth Badinter (Philosopher)
– Florence Berthout (Mayor of the 5th arrondissement of Paris)
– Ingrid Betancourt (Author, former Senator)
– Sophie Bourel (Actress)
– Martine Brasseur (University Professor)
– Mondane Colcombet (Former chamber president at the Paris Court of Appeal)
– Michelle Gréaume (Senator, Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces Committee)
– Marie-Eba Guiot (Student)
– Delphine Jegoudez (Secretary of the Ecological Spring MIT Union)
– Niamké-Anne Kodjo (Writer)
– Christine Kodjo (Teacher)
– Stéphanie Labbé (Actress)
– Anne-Yvonne Le Dain (Scientist, former Member of Parliament)
– Janick Léger (Mayor and Departmental Councilor)
– Fahimeh Maktabi-Ponsonnaille (Engineer, member of the Women Engineers Association and the Association of Iranian Women in France – AFIF)
– Juliette Méadel (Magistrate at the Court of Auditors, former Minister)
– Simin Nouri (President of the Association of Iranian Women in France – AFIF)
– Sara Nouri-Meshkati (Lawyer, FEMO Foundation)
– Elisabeth Rabesandratana (Lawyer at the International Criminal Court)
– Muriel Réus (Founder and President of “Women with…”—an association advocating for women’s rights)
– Alexandra Rigal (Entrepreneur)
– Estelle Rozine Assaf (Development Director at IMT Business School)
– Marie Sicaud (Journalist and Presenter)
– Mahan Taraj (Jurist, author of the podcast *Decrypting Iran*)
– Noanne Tenneson (General Director of AADH)
– Laurence Tubiana (President of the European Climate Foundation)
– Ophélie Van Elsuwe (Departmental Councilor)
– Catherine Wihtol de Wenden (Research Director at CNRS)
