[Greens-Media] NSW parliament expresses support for human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

[David Shoebridge]

NSW parliament expresses support for human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh                          
Media Release - 22 November 2012 
 
The NSW Upper House today unanimously supported a motion regarding imprisoned Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. The motion, reprinted in full below, was moved by Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge.
 
"After two years imprisonment, it is time for the international community to become more vocal in calling for the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
"Ms Sotoudeh's 'crime' has been to demand more democracy and increased rights for the people of Iran.
 
"Australia can make good use of our position on the UN Security Council by doing what it can to secure Ms Sotoudeh's release and encouraging genuine democratic reform in Iran," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
Wording of the motion:
 
1.      That this house notes that
a)      Nasrin Sotoudeh, the Iranian human rights lawyer who has been imprisoned since 4 September 2010, is sacrificing her wellbeing in a hunger strike. Nasrin has long campaigned for "freedom, social security, the rule of law, and justice".
b)      Amnesty International Australia has recently received the disturbing report that Nasrin has 'vanished' from her prison cell.
c)      Nasrin Sotoudeh was charged with endangering Iran's national security. Her trial was conducted behind closed doors and she was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, banned from practising law, banned leaving the country for 20 years, and fined 50,000 Tomans. Her only alleged crime was acting for political dissidents.
 
2.      That this house 
a)      Condemns the trial, imprisonment and disappearance of Nasrin Sotoudeh
b)      Requests the Australian Government to immediately inform the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran of its concern at the abuse of the judicial process and to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and all social and political activists and journalists currently in detention
c)      Urges the Australian government to use its position on the UN Security Council to press for genuine democratic reform in Iran by all peaceful means reasonably available.
Media contact: Mark Riboldi 9230 3030 | 0433 753 376

 
David Shoebridge
Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council
P: (02) 9230 3030 |Media: 0433 753 376 |T: @ShoebridgeMLC ( http://twitter.com/#!/shoebridgemlc )
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