Dr. Abraham Mathai, Founder Chairman of the Harmony Foundation, has sent a letter to the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), H.E. Omar Zniber, calling for the immediate release of Nobel Laureate and Mother Teresa Memorial Award recipient, Narges Mohammadi, on humanitarian grounds. In his letter, Dr. Mathai expressed grave concern over Mohammadi’s prolonged detention under inhumane conditions in Iran, despite her serious medical needs.
Mohammadi, a renowned human rights defender, journalist, and spokesperson for the Defenders of Human Rights Centre in Iran, was arrested in November 2021 after attending a memorial for victims of the 2019 protests. Convicted for her outspoken opposition to the death penalty and the forced hijab, Mohammadi has been subjected to harsh imprisonment, which has severely affected her health. Dr. Mathai emphasized that her activism for women’s rights and freedom of choice should not result in such mistreatment and called for her immediate release to receive necessary medical treatment.
Dr. Mathai stated that as an activist in civil society, with genuine concern for the disturbing situation of human rights violations, he considers it as his utmost duty and responsibility to approach the UNHRC’s esteemed office, whose raison d’être is to promote and protect human rights globally.
Dr. Mathai stated that as an activist in civil society, with genuine concern for the disturbing situation of human rights violations, he considers it as his utmost duty and responsibility to approach the UNHRC’s esteemed office, whose raison d’être is to promote and protect human rights globally.
Dr. Mathai also highlighted Mohammadi’s international recognition, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Prize, and other prestigious accolades. He urged the UNHRC to press Iran to fulfill its commitments under international human rights law, particularly regarding the provision of adequate healthcare for those in custody.
Dr. Mathai also noted that Narges Mohammadi’s courage over these years in defying oppressive laws is a powerful stand for freedom, exposing the brutal control over women’s lives in Iran by the radical Islamic regime.
The appeal comes ahead of the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Iran’s human rights record and coincides with the observance of Human Rights Day on December 10th. Dr. Mathai called for decisive action from the UNHRC, warning that failure to hold the Iranian regime accountable would undermine the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The appeal coincides with the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of Iran’s human rights record, scheduled in Geneva in the next two months. Dr. Mathai urged the UNHRC to hold Iran accountable for its previous commitments to ensure proper healthcare for individuals in custody.
As Human Rights Day approaches on December 10th, Dr. Mathai has called for decisive action, and has warned that failure to act against the oppressive Iranian regime undermines the principles of the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights.
In closing, Dr. Mathai stressed the importance of global solidarity in defending human rights, reaffirming the Harmony Foundation’s commitment to advocating for the release of individuals unjustly imprisoned for their activism.