Key facts
- Twins Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, aged 21, have been sentenced to death and 25 years in prison in Iran.
- The sisters were arrested for joining nationwide protests against the Iranian regime.
- Charges included moharebeh (waging war against God).
- Taraneh was sentenced to death along with nine others.
- Romina received a 25-year prison sentence.
- The family has appealed to the UN for help, submitting information through British human rights lawyers.
The family of 21-year-old twins Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, who have been sentenced to death and decades in jail for protesting against the Iranian regime, have appealed to the United Nations for help. British human rights lawyers submitted a formal "submission of information" on their behalf, which could lead to the UN's human rights council opening talks with the Iranian regime if human rights violations are found.
President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, stated this week at the UN's general assembly in New York that the country was "ready for dialogue and diplomacy." Taraneh and Romina Rahimi were taken from their homes eight months ago by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps after joining nationwide protests. They were tried on charges including moharebeh (waging war against God) for participating in street protests in Isfahan on January 8 and 9. At the end of August, Taraneh was sentenced to death, while Romina received a 25-year prison sentence.
The family is seeking to appeal the sentences, but human rights groups are concerned that Taraneh's execution could be expedited. The sisters are being held in Dowlatabad prison in Isfahan. The family claims Taraneh was threatened with witnessing her sister's rape if she did not sign a confession. They have been held in isolation and reportedly heard each other's screams during torture. Neither sister has been seen by their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, or other family members since their sentencing.
Masoud Nourmohammadi, a cousin living in Utah, said Taraneh was told she would only be fed leftovers as punishment. He expressed desperation in turning to the UN, stating, "Turning to the United Nations is not something I ever wanted to have to do. I am simply asking the international community to help ensure that Taraneh and Romina receive the basic rights that every human being is entitled to: a fair process, protection from torture and abuse, access to medical care and legal counsel, and the right to have their cases genuinely reviewed." He added, "Taraneh is facing the death penalty, and Romina is facing decades in prison. They are young women who should be thinking about their futures, not whether one sister will be executed and the other will spend the best years of her life behind bars." He vowed to continue using peaceful and legal avenues and asked the UN to intervene before it is too late, especially for Taraneh.
A submission to the UN through its "special procedures" can result in a formal request to a member state for an explanation and action. Iran has executed over 500 people this year, including at least 16 women, and hundreds of protesters face death sentences or charges carrying the death penalty, with over 70 in Isfahan alone.