Raheleh Rahemipour did nothing more than seek truth and justice about the fate of her brother and niece, who were forcibly and cruelly disappeared in Iran. Now, she has been convicted by the Iranian Authorities.
In 1983, Raheleh’s brother Hossein and his pregnant wife were arrested for their affiliation to an opposition political group. A year later, the family was told to pick up his personal effects and that he had “gone to hell.”
Raheleh’s niece, Golrou, was born in prison and taken away from her mother when she was just 15 days old. The family was later told that she had died.
Their bodies were never returned, no death certificates were issued and no information about their deaths or burial was ever provided.
Now, the Iranian authorities have convicted Raheleh on charges of “spreading propaganda against the system” and say that they will only stop the prosecution if she withdraws a complaint that stands before the United Nations.
No one should face state reprisals simply for seeking answers about their loved ones.
