Akram Nasirian
Akram Nasirian is a woman human rights defenders and a member of The Call of the Iranian Women NGO, which focuses on empowering women in disadvantaged situations. The NGO has been active in capacity building of women in different provinces in Iran, including through literacy classes and public advocacy.
Hope for political reform in Iran surfaced when President Hassan Rouhani assumed office in 2013 and dozens of opposition political figures and human rights defenders were released. However, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement of HRDs continue to be prevalent.
Human rights defenders and journalists are arrested, detained and prosecuted in unfair trials. HRDs continue to receive death threats and are subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention. They are refused bail or receive extreme bail conditions. HRDs are additionally subjected to systematic surveillance and their family members are targeted. Journalists have been subjected to flogging for criticising the government.
