Iran has exerted mounting pressure on women's rights advocates, and dozens have been arrested over the past two years for calling for changes to Iranian laws or for taking part in public protests. -- ST PHOTO: ABDUL AZIZ HUSSIN
TEHRAN - IRAN HAS sentenced a women's rights activist to one year in jail over her involvement with a signature campaign to change laws for women, media reports said on Wednesday.
'Women's movement activist Parastoo Allahyari was sentenced to one year in jail,' Sarmayeh newspaper said.
Allahyari was a member of the 'One Million Signature' campaign, an award-winning initiative which seeks to change Iran's Sharia-based law deemed as unfair to women.
Allahyari was found guilty of 'acting against national security by propaganda against the Islamic republic system,' the campaign's website said, adding the verdict was issued verdict on April 25.
Sarmayeh said another women's rights activist, Maryam Malek, has also been arrested and detained in recent days.
Iran has exerted mounting pressure on women's rights advocates, and dozens have been arrested over the past two years for calling for changes to Iranian laws or for taking part in public protests. -- AFP
