Woman human rights defender Golshan Fathi summoned to Evin court
On 13 June 2026, woman human rights defender Golshan Fathi received a summons from Branch II of Tehran Revolutionary and Public Court in Moqadasi, alternatively known as Evin court, in district 33 in Tehran. She was called upon to defend herself against unspecified charges, with failure to appear potentially resulting in her arrest.
Golshan Fathi is a woman human rights defender, lawyer, legal researcher, and blogger from Iran. She has been active in the field of human rights since 2007, with her work focusing primarily on the rights of persons with disabilities and the abolition of the death penalty.
Through legal advocacy, research, and public engagement, Golshan Fathi seeks to amplify the voices of marginalised communities and supports individuals facing discrimination and exclusion. She provides assistance to vulnerable groups, including survivors of state violence, child labourers, and persons with disabilities.
On 13 June 2026, woman human rights defender Golshan Fathi received a summons from Branch II of Tehran Revolutionary and Public Court in Moqadasi, alternatively known as Evin court, in district 33 in Tehran. She was called upon to defend herself against unspecified charges, with failure to appear potentially resulting in her arrest.
Golshan Fathi is a woman human rights defender, legal researcher, and blogger from Iran. She has been active in the field of human rights since 2007, with her work focusing primarily on the rights of persons with disabilities and the abolition of the death penalty. Through legal advocacy, research, and public engagement, Golshan Fathi seeks to amplify the voices of marginalised communities and support individuals facing discrimination and exclusion. She provides assistance to vulnerable groups, including survivors of state violence, child labourers, and persons with disabilities.
On 13 June 2026, woman human rights defender Golshan Fathi received a summons from Branch II of Tehran Revolutionary and Public Court in Moqadasi in district 33 in Tehran. According to the summons, the woman human rights defender had five days to appear before the court and defend herself against “the ascribed charge.” However, the court summons did not specify the nature of the alleged offences. It further stated that she would be subject to arrest should she fail to appear before the court by 18 June 2026.
On 17 March 2026, during the 39-day armed conflict, the house of the human right defender was raided by agents of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, who failed to produce a search warrant. On 17 May 2026, the residence was once again subjected to a search, this time by agents of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, who presented a search warrant and proceeded to confiscate the defender’s electronic devices.
Golshan Fathi was summoned to appear before the Evin Court without any indication of the charges against her, undermining her ability to adequately prepare and present a defence. Front Line Defenders remains concerned by the continued judicial harassment of human rights defenders and civil society activists, particularly those who targeted in the context of the armed conflict between 28 February and 7 April, including those working on protection of people with disabilities during the hostilities.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Iran to:
- Immediately drop all charges against Golshan Fathi and return her electronic devices, as it appears that she has been targeted solely due to her legitimate human rights work;
- Cease targeting human rights defenders, and guarantee that they are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisal and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.
