Iran and the jailing of Nasrin Sotoudeh

Sir, – Nasrin Sotoudeh, the Iranian human rights lawyer, has been sentenced to up to 38 years in jail and 148 lashes for defending Iranian women’s right to choose whether or not to wear the hijab (headscarf).

She is 55 years of age, a mother of two children and wife to a very supportive husband, who has himself been jailed for his human rights work.

This is an outrageous breach of a basic human right, that of free speech.

We must speak up for Nasrin and for so many other women worldwide who are persecuted for their human rights work. I admire their bravery and applaud them.

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I protested outside the Iranian embassy at Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin, last Friday, and I plan to make this a recurring protest.

The embassy called the Garda Síochána, but I had already phoned to let them know of my planned peaceful protest.

I invite all who are concerned about Nasrin Sotoudeh to write to the Iranian ambassador to Ireland, organise a protest, and to spread this story far and wide.

SHEILA GERAGHTY,

Monkstown, Co Dublin.