Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arrest and detention of the woman human rights defender Ronak Safazadeh at her home in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, on 9 October 2007. Ronak Safazadeh is a member of the non-governmental organisation Azar Mehr in Kurdistan and of the 'One Million Signature' Campaign, which seeks legislative reform of laws that discriminate against women. Her arrest follows the arrest and detention of 25 human rights defenders, 14 women and 11 men, who were attending an educational workshop on women's rights on 14 September 2007.

Further Information

Posted 16/10/2007. On 8 October 2007, Ronak Safazadeh attended an event to commemorate the International Day of the Child. At this event she participated in discussions regarding the 'One Million Signature' Campaign and collected signatures. The following day, nine security agents arrived at her home in three cars to arrest her. The security agents searched Ronak Safazadeh's home and seized a number of items, including a computer, information pertaining to the Campaign and copies of the petition. The search and subsequent arrest of Ronak Safazadeh were allegedly carried in a violent manner. Her current whereabouts are unknown to her family and no information regarding the charges against her has been made available by the authorities.

Front Line is extremely concerned that the arrest of Ronak Safazadeh forms part of the ongoing campaign of arrest, detention and ill-treatment of members of the 'One Million Signature' Campaign.