🔻Naserin Sotoudeh received today the Council of Europe’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize in recognition of years of activity and defense of human rights.

In the absence of Ms. Sotoudeh, her daughter, Mehrâvêh Khندان, received the award on her mother’s behalf. Ms. Sotoudeh, a well-known human-rights lawyer who is free in Iran on bail, said in a short video message: “One day the sun of freedom will shine over our country as well,” adding: “Perhaps one day the truth will also find its way to our country.”

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which is responsible for awarding the Václav Havel Prize, praised Ms. Sotoudeh’s activities:

“She has been an active defender of social activists, journalists, minorities, and children facing the threat of execution, despite repeated arrests, years of imprisonment, and serious risks to her. She has also fought against the laws of compulsory hijab and against the death penalty.”

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