Mohammad Seifzadeh

Cases
Location of case in SG report
2025-057-001
Relevant SG report
Year of the report
2025
Country Geolocation

Latitude: 32.427908

Longitude: 53.688046

Country Geolocation (linked Cases)
Iran
From Region
Individual's/organization's activity

Mohammad Seifzadeh, is a 75 year-old Iranian human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, an Iranian human rights organization established in 2002 at the initiative of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Type of rights defended
  • Unclear in SG Report
Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?
No
Reported trigger of reprisal

Co-signing a joint letter with 45 Iranian activists, urging the United Nations Secretary-General to condemn executions in Iran. The letter was published on 10 December 2022 amidst nation-wide protests in Iran.

Engagement with UN body
  • UN Secretary-General / ASG
Dates of engagement
10 December 2022
Type of attempted engagement
  • Submission of information to UN
Dates of mentioned reprisals
May 2023, July 2023, August 2024
Location of mentioned reprisals
Tehran, Iran
Reprisal information
  1. According to information received by OHCHR, in August 2024, Mr. Mohammad Seifzadeh was summoned to Evin Prison in Tehran to begin serving a one-year prison sentence following his conviction, for co-signing a joint letter with 45 Iranian activists, urging the United Nations Secretary-General to condemn executions in Iran. The letter was published on 10 December 2022 amidst nation-wide protests in Iran. Mr. Seifazadeh presented himself at prion, was detained, and then released shortly thereafter, reportedly on bail.
  2. Mohammad Seifzadeh, is a 75 year-old Iranian human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, an Iranian human rights organization established in 2002 at the initiative of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi.
  3. Mr. Seifzadeh was reportedly sentenced to one year of imprisonment on charges of “propaganda against the state” and “publishing falsehoods” by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in May 2023, for co-signing the joint letter. In July 2023, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. Reportedly, Mr. Seifzadeh refused to attend both the trial and the appeal hearing in protest, asserting that he did not recognize the legitimacy of revolutionary courts in Iran.
  4. According to information received by OHCHR, over the years, Mr. Seifzadeh has faced repeated harassment, arrests, and detention for his human rights work and activism. In 2010, he was convicted on national security charges, sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment and prohibited from practicing law for 10 years. These charges were allegedly linked to his co-founding the Defenders of Human Rights Center. His health and heart condition deteriorated while in prison, including in the context of reportedly inadequate medical care, and he reportedly suffered several strokes while in prison. Reportedly, the execution of his sentence remains suspended due to his advanced age and health condition and according to information received by OHCHR, he has thus far refused to be granted any amnesty asserting he has not committed a crime.
Types of reprisals suffered
  • Charge/Investigation/Prosecution: Conviction
  • Detention/Imprisonment: Detention/Imprisonment - General
Alleged/likely perpetrators
State actors
Was the reprisal based on new legislation?
No
Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?
No
Further case development
  1. According to information received by OHCHR, in August 2024, Mr. Mohammad Seifzadeh was summoned to Evin Prison in Tehran to begin serving a one-year prison sentence following his conviction, for co-signing a joint letter with 45 Iranian activists, urging the United Nations Secretary-General to condemn executions in Iran. The letter was published on 10 December 2022 amidst nation-wide protests in Iran. Mr. Seifazadeh presented himself at prion, was detained, and then released shortly thereafter, reportedly on bail.
  2. Mohammad Seifzadeh, is a 75 year-old Iranian human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, an Iranian human rights organization established in 2002 at the initiative of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi.
  3. Mr. Seifzadeh was reportedly sentenced to one year of imprisonment on charges of “propaganda against the state” and “publishing falsehoods” by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in May 2023, for co-signing the joint letter. In July 2023, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. Reportedly, Mr. Seifzadeh refused to attend both the trial and the appeal hearing in protest, asserting that he did not recognize the legitimacy of revolutionary courts in Iran.
  4. According to information received by OHCHR, over the years, Mr. Seifzadeh has faced repeated harassment, arrests, and detention for his human rights work and activism. In 2010, he was convicted on national security charges, sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment and prohibited from practicing law for 10 years. These charges were allegedly linked to his co-founding the Defenders of Human Rights Center. His health and heart condition deteriorated while in prison, including in the context of reportedly inadequate medical care, and he reportedly suffered several strokes while in prison. Reportedly, the execution of his sentence remains suspended due to his advanced age and health condition and according to information received by OHCHR, he has thus far refused to be granted any amnesty asserting he has not committed a crime.
Government response dates
16 July 2025
Government response content

On 16 July 2025, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report noting that Mr. Seifzadeh had been granted a general amnesty on 14 October 2024, resulting in his release from prison and allowing him to freely pursue medical care.

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?
No
Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?
No
Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?
No