Under a regime that gains strength by silencing women, human rights advocate Nasrin Sotoudeh and her family face a daily noose of state oppression—epitomized by her husband Reza Khandan’s arrest and isolation—in their unyielding fight for freedom in Iran.
Iranian human rights attorney and recently released political prisoner Nasrin Sotoudeh wrote in the September 2022 issue of Ms. to express her appreciation for the magazine’s “unreserved support for me and my husband during the harsh days of my imprisonment.” She described the way politicians around the world gain power and control by oppressing women, and she spoke about facing governmental “pressure that tightened like a noose around our family on a daily basis.”
That pressure was felt again last Dec. 13 when Nasrin Sotoudeh’s equally courageous husband Reza Khandan was arrested for his efforts on behalf of women’s rights in Iran.
Sotoudeh herself has served over seven years in prison, with extra punishments because she refused to wear the hijab mandated by Iranian law. She lost her law license, her daughter was harassed and interrogated and the family’s bank accounts were frozen.
Since Reza Khandan’s arrest, his 17-year-old son was beaten by prison guards when he came to visit his father, Khandan was thrown into solitary confinement, and he has been denied the opportunity to speak with his wife and children.
This petition calls for Reza Khandan’s release from prison and is endorsed by Sotoudeh.
Nasrin Sotoudeh has given this statement to her friends at Ms. magazine:
“My husband Reza was imprisoned for the commitment we share to human rights. He is now facing three more years in prison.
“Throughout our life together, Reza’s unconditional love made it possible for me to continue in my work as an attorney dedicated to women’s rights and to opposing the death penalty. He was resolute in his own efforts, as well.
“Reza’s sense of humor in difficult moments, and his calmness during times of decision-making, illuminated our path. He was always thoughtful and filled the space around him with the fragrance of kindness. Those qualities, and so much more, have been cruelly removed from our life and our home. Now, Reza is in Evin Prison, and they have even taken away our right to visit him. I worry about him deeply. His family and I are longing—deeply longing for all of Reza’s warmth and strength and light to come back and fill our home.”
“Reza, hand-in-hand with Nasrin, remains remarkably steadfast. From prison, under threat of retaliation, he wrote, “I will continue until I achieve legal rights, restore my family’s dignity, and change the conditions of the prison administration. May the shadow of terror and tyranny be removed from our beloved country one day. Finally, I would like to add: ‘I object to the compulsory hijab.’”
This update also appears in the Spring issue of Ms., which hits newsstands April 4, 2025. Join the Ms. community today and you’ll get issues delivered straight to your mailbox.
