Brussels, 19/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 18 September, the European Union hailed the release of some Iranian prisoners of conscience, including the lawyer and human rights activist, 2012 Sakharov prizewinner Nasrin Sotoudeh. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hoped that “this positive step will mark a new departure, in line with the commitment announced by the new leadership, and will pave the way for an improvement of the human rights situation in Iran”.
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz welcomed “this important positive signal by the Iranian authorities”. “We hope her release will not be a one-off but that the regime will release all political prisoners, and finally take steps towards unconditional respect and protection of human rights”, said the leader of the European Parliament's sub-committee for human rights, Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/EFA, Germany).
Sentenced to six years in prison in 2010, Nasrin Sotoudeh was released on 18 September. Her co-winner of the 2012 Sakharov prize, film director Jafar Panahi, is still under house arrest. (CG/transl.fl)