The European Students’ Union (ESU) is calling on the European Commission and UNESCO to pressure Iran for the release of jailed student activist Bahareh Hedayat.
“We call for the immediate release of Hedayat, who objected to the human right violations of the Iranian regime. She stood up for students’ rights and female rights without fearing the harsh consequence of a nine and a half year jail sentence in complete isolation from her friends and family and in very bad living and healthcare conditions.” said ESU chairperson, Bert Vandenkendelaere, according to Daneshjoo News.
Hedayat was first arrested in 2006 for taking part in a women’s protest rally in Tehran. Since then she has been arrested on three more occasions during popular protests.
Hedayat is an executive member of Iran’s largest student organization, Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat, and was last arrested in December of 2009 in the crackdown on protests against the contested re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Her sentence of nearly 10 years in jail has already been confirmed by the appellate court.
Hedayat has been charged with “assembly and collusion” against the regime, insulting the leader and the president, and propaganda against the regime.
A group of Iranian student and human rights activists recently launched a campaign to free Hedayat, who turned 30 yesterday behind bars.
