I am writing to urgently raise our grave concern about the case of Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish humanitarian worker and civil society activist, who is at imminent risk of execution in Iran following a deeply unjust trial by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran [1], [2]. This case underscores the dire repression faced by women, ethnic minorities, and human rights defenders in Iran.

In July 2024, Pakhshan Azizi was sentenced to death on baseless charges of "armed rebellion against the state," linked to her humanitarian work in northern Syria, where she provided vital aid to women and children displaced by ISIS between 2014 and 2022. Arrested in August 2023, she was tortured and held in solitary confinement, but she has repeatedly denied any involvement in violence or armed groups.

In 2024, Iran reached a tragic milestone with 31 women executed, the highest annual number in its history [3]. Among them is Pakhshan Azizi, facing the death penalty for her peaceful human rights and humanitarian efforts. Her case is part of a broader pattern of politically motivated trials and executions, particularly targeting the Kurdish minority and women’s rights defenders.

With over 900 executions reported in 2024 alone [4], activists and dissidents, especially women, are disproportionately targeted. This brutal escalation serves as a tool for the regime to instill fear following the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests, further silencing those advocating for basic human rights.

I urge you to take immediate action to prevent this grave injustice by:

1- Publicly condemning the death sentence against Pakhshan Azizi. 
2- Working with your colleagues in Parliament to issue a formal statement demanding her immediate release as she is imprisoned solely for her peaceful humanitarian work and human rights activism. 
3- Engaging with the Foreign Office to apply diplomatic pressure on the Iranian government to halt this execution and end the ongoing persecution of activists.

Time is of the essence. Your swift action could help save Pakhshan Azizi’s life and send a clear message that such human rights abuses will not be tolerated by the international community.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to address this critical human rights issue.

Sincerely,
Azadi Network