Named one of the top feminists of 2020 by Ms., Iranian attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested in June 2018 for her work as a human rights and women’s rights activist. She was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. Nasrin caught COVID in the notoriously unsanitary Qarchak Prison, and she continues to suffer from a heart condition.
Loujain al-Hathloul is a public advocate for gender equality and women’s right to drive in Saudi Arabia. She was arrested in May 2018 and served more than 1,000 days in prison, with claims of torture and sexual harassment during her detention. Released on three years’ probation in February 2021, she is prohibited from political activity and barred from travel.
The #FREELOUJAIN and #FREENASRIN campaign is a global plea for the full freedom of these two brave women, as well as a call for all political prisoners to be released and a shared commitment to the “equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.” Co-sponsored by Amnesty International USA, PEN America, The International Bar Association, Ms. magazine and The Center for Women’s Global Leadership, #FreeNasrin and #FreeLoujain brings together the friends, families and supporters of these two human rights activists to demand the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Take Action
Twenty-five years after the World Conference on Women declared “Women’s rights are human rights,” the cause of equality and empowerment for girls and women needs your support more than ever.
Nasrin Sotoudeh and Loujain al-Hathloul represent the future of women and girls around the world. Their struggle for equality, dignity and rights transcends the narrow boundaries of politics and religion.
Post a personal message on behalf of Nasrin and Loujain on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow and tag @LoujainHathloul and @NasrinFilm, and use these hashtags on social media to make your voice heard about the need to free political prisoners and protect women’s rights: #FreeNasrin #FreeLoujain #NasrinSotoudeh #LoujainHathloul #FreeNasrinandLoujain. Download graphics to accompany your posts here.
Additionally, you can sign and share these Amnesty International petitions for Loujain al-Hathloul and Nasrin Sotoudeh.
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