Family appeals to UN over Iranian twins' death, prison sentences

Twins were charged with ‘waging war against God’ for Isfahan protests

The twins were taken from their beds by men from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps eight months ago after joining nationwide protests against the Iranian government, according to the Guardian. The women were tried on charges that included moharebeh for taking to the streets of Isfahan, in central Iran, on January 8 and 9. At the end of August, Taraneh, along with nine others, was sentenced to death. Romina received a 25-year prison sentence.

The sisters are being held in Dowlatabad prison in Isfahan, where the family claims Taraneh was threatened with being forced to watch the rape of her sister if she failed to sign a confession to her alleged crimes. According to the family, the sisters have been held in isolation but have been able to hear each other’s screams as torture was inflicted upon them. Neither woman has been seen by their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, or other family members since their sentencing.

Taraneh is said to be in need of surgery due to injuries inflicted during interrogation, her cousin Masoud Nourmohammadi, a 43-year-old IT engineer who lives in the US state of Utah, told the Guardian. He said Taraneh was told she would only be allowed to eat leftovers of other prisoners’ meals as punishment. He said he had turned to the UN out of desperation.

“Turning to the United Nations is not something I ever wanted to have to do,” Masoud Nourmohammadi said. “I am simply asking the international community to help ensure that Taraneh and Romina receive the basic rights that every human being is entitled to: a fair process, protection from torture and abuse, access to medical care and legal counsel, and the right to have their cases genuinely reviewed.”

He added: “Taraneh is facing the death penalty, and Romina is facing decades in prison. They are young women who should be thinking about their futures, not whether one sister will be executed and the other will spend the best years of her life behind bars.”

“They are my family,” he said. “I will continue to use every peaceful and legal avenue available. I ask the United Nations to stand with them before it is too late – especially for Taraneh.”

A submission through UN “special procedures” can lead to a formal request by the international organization to a member state for an explanation and action, according to the Guardian. The newspaper reported the move could result in the UN’s Human Rights Council opening talks with Iran’s government about resolving the case if it is found to involve human rights violations.

The appeal comes as Iran’s president told the UN General Assembly in New York this week that the country was “ready for dialogue and diplomacy.” The Guardian reported Iran has executed more than 500 people this year, including at least 16 women, and that hundreds of protesters have been sentenced to death or are facing charges which could carry the death penalty, including more than 70 in Isfahan.

Human rights groups have raised concerns that Taraneh’s execution could be fast-tracked, and the family is seeking to appeal against the sentences, according to the Guardian.