The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) strongly condemns the recent sentencing in Iran of woman human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to seven years and six months in prison, following a summary trial before the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on 07 February 2026.

The sentence comes amid numerous arrests of human rights defenders and thousands of protesters, during protests that began on 28 December 2025 about the economic crisis and other concerns. Thousands have died, and the real figures are unknown, particularly during Internet and communications blackouts.

Mohammadi, who has dedicated decades to defending civil liberties, women’s rights, and the abolition of the death penalty in Iran, was arrested on 12 December 2025 during a memorial ceremony for human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. Her latest conviction, which also includes a two-year travel ban and two years of internal exile to Khousf, appears based solely on her presence and peaceful speech at that event and reflects a broader pattern of judicial harassment against peaceful activists.

During her detention, Mohammadi undertook a hunger strike in protest against her unlawful detention and deplorable conditions, and her health has reportedly deteriorated significantly, with limited access to adequate medical care.

The Narges Foundation issued a statement about the sentence which noted, “Given Narges Mohammadi’s critical medical history, including heart attacks, chest pain, high blood pressure, as well as spinal disc issues and other illnesses, her continued detention is life threatening and a violation of human rights laws. She requires constant access to her medical team and the continuation of her treatment.”

Mohammadi’s latest sentence reportedly stems from charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda activities against the state”, accusations frequently used by the Iranian authorities to criminalise peaceful human rights work. The proceedings before the Mashhad Revolutionary Court were reportedly conducted without adherence to international fair trial standards. Reports indicate that the trial was summary in nature and that the defence was not granted adequate opportunity to challenge the charges. The additional penalties of a two-year travel ban and two years of internal exile further illustrate the punitive intent behind the ruling. Such measures appear to be aimed at silencing Mohammadi’s peaceful advocacy and isolating her from civil society networks.

The sentencing of Mohammadi occurs amid a broader crackdown on women human rights defenders and civil society actors across Iran. Her prosecution reflects an ongoing strategy aimed at silencing women who have previously engaged in peaceful civic or political activity.

During the same incident on 12 December 2025, photojournalist Alieh Motalebzadeh, journalist and activist Sepideh Gholian, women human rights defenders Hasti Amiri and Pooran Nazemi were among other human rights defenders and journalists arrested. While Motalebzadeh, who has cancer, was released on bail following the deterioration of her health on 12 January 2026, according to the Narges Foundation, the others remained in prison in solitary confinement.

Nazemi was reported to be in very poor health. This raises serious concerns about ill-treatment of all those detained.

Sara Hosseinzadeh, a translator who was formerly imprisoned for her activism, has been missing since 19 January 2026 in Urmia, with authorities refusing to confirm her arrest or disclose her whereabouts. The lack of official acknowledgement raises serious concerns of enforced disappearance and demonstrates the risks faced by women with a prior record of activism.

Marzieh Moradveisi, a women’s rights activist from Sanandaj with previous national security convictions linked to her peaceful work, was also re-arrested during the protests, on 07 January 2026. Her renewed detention illustrates the recurring use of judicial harassment against well-known activists.

Laya Jabik, a university lecturer arrested on 26 January 2026, suffers from multiple sclerosis and requires continuous medical treatment. Reports of restricted access to medical care during her detention raise serious concerns, particularly in light of the pattern of medical neglect and health problems for women human rights defenders in prison.

These cases demonstrate that the prosecution of Narges Mohammadi is emblematic of a broader campaign targeting women defenders through disappearance, recurring prosecution, lack of medical treatment, and denial of fundamental rights.

In January 2026, GCHR also joined 13 other organisations in signing a letter sent by Women Living Under Muslim Laws to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, calling for urgent action in response to the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

On 23 January 2026, Special Rapporteur Mai Sato addressed a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Iran. The Council subsequently adopted a resolution extending her mandate for one year and renewing the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for an additional two years.

The continued prosecution of Narges Mohammadi further validates the grave concerns raised before the Council and highlights the urgency of sustained international scrutiny. GCHR urges the international community to take urgent action to protect human rights defenders in Iran.

Recommendations

GCHR calls on the Iranian authorities to:

1. Immediately quash all sentences against Narges Mohammadi and release her immediately and unconditionally;

2. Release all those arrested since December 2025 during peaceful protests and gatherings in violation of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly;

3. Ensure that all those in prison receive timely medical treatment; and

4. Allow the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran to visit the country at her earliest convenience, and comply with all UN requests.