Press Release

ICHRRF expresses grave concern over the death sentence against Najmeh Amini in Iran, calling for immediate commutation and protection of her fundamental rights.

The International Center for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) expresses its grave concern over the reported death sentence imposed on Najmeh Amini, a 23-year-old Iranian woman detained at Mashhad Central Prison in Iran, on the charge of sabol-nabi (insulting the Prophet) in connection with a social media post. ICHRRF calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to set aside the death sentence, ensure a fair and impartial judicial review, and protect her fundamental rights to life, freedom of expression, and due process.

According to information reported by Iran Human Rights and confirmed through a report published by Khorasan Newspaper on October 7, Amini was arrested in Mashhad on February 3, 2026, following monitoring by Iran’s Cyber Police. She was subsequently tried by Branch 6 of the Criminal Court One of Khorasan Razavi Province and sentenced to death. The sentence has reportedly not yet been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court and remains subject to appellate review.

ICHRRF considers the imposition of capital punishment for alleged expression on social media deeply alarming. No expression, however offensive it may be perceived, should lead to an irreversible punishment that extinguishes the right to life. The use of the death penalty in cases involving speech raises serious concerns about proportionality, freedom of expression, judicial safeguards, and the protection of fundamental human rights.

Concerns Regarding Due Process and Statutory Defenses

ICHRRF is particularly concerned by reports that the court rejected the defense arguments that Amini’s statements resulted from a slip of the tongue and were made while she was allegedly experiencing the effects of hallucinogenic substances.

Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, particularly Articles 262 and 263, addresses the offense of sabol-nabi and specifies circumstances—including error, inadvertence, intoxication, and a slip of the tongue—in which a defendant may not be considered guilty of that offense as defined by the law. Reports concerning Amini’s case raise questions about how these statutory defenses were evaluated and whether the applicable legal safeguards were adequately applied.

ICHRRF President, Dr. Adityanjee urges the appellate authorities to examine these issues rigorously, independently, and transparently, ensuring that the defendant’s claims and the evidence are assessed fairly. A capital case demands the highest standards of judicial scrutiny, due process, and protection against arbitrary deprivation of life. Dr. Adityanjee calls for an immediate end to the use of capital punishment for peaceful expression. Blasphemy laws must be abrogated internationally.

ICHRRF Calls on Islamic Republic of Iran to Set Aside the Death Sentence

ICHRRF calls upon the Government of Iran and its judicial authorities to take the following immediate steps:

1. Set aside the death sentence against Najmeh Amini and ensure that she is not subjected to execution while her case remains under judicial review.

2. Ensure a fair, impartial, and transparent appellate process, with full consideration of all applicable statutory defenses, the evidence, and the arguments presented by her defense counsel.

3. Protect freedom of expression and the right to life, ensuring that criminal penalties for expression comply with Iran’s international human rights obligations.

4. Refrain from using capital punishment for alleged blasphemous expression and consider non-custodial or other proportionate legal responses consistent with international human rights standards.

5. Establish an immediate moratorium on executions, as a concrete step toward safeguarding human dignity and preventing irreversible miscarriages of justice.

An Appeal to the International Community

ICHRRF calls on the United Nations, international human rights institutions, governments, and civil society organizations to raise Amini’s case urgently with the Iranian authorities. International attention is particularly important while the sentence remains subject to appellate review and before any irreversible action is taken.

The reported executions of Yousef Mehrdad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare in May 2023 on blasphemy-related charges underscore the seriousness of these concerns. The international community must not wait until a death sentence is carried out before responding to the risks posed by the criminalization of expression.

ICHRRF recognizes that societies have different religious traditions and legal systems. However, respect for religious beliefs and protection of human life need not be mutually exclusive. The preservation of human dignity, fair judicial proceedings, and protection against arbitrary deprivation of life are essential principles that should guide every justice system.

ICHRRF therefore makes an urgent appeal to the Iranian leadership: set aside the death sentence against Najmeh Amini, guarantee her right to a fair judicial process, and prevent the execution of a young woman for alleged expression on social media.

The right to life is fundamental, and capital punishment is irreversible. Justice must never proceed without the fullest possible protection against error, arbitrariness, and disproportionate punishment.

Issued by: International Center for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF)

About ICHHRF

The International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) advocates for the protection of fundamental human rights, religious freedom, human dignity, and justice through education, awareness, and international engagement.

Media Contact:
International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF)
erik.kalasunas@ichrrf.onmicrosoft.com
https://www.ichrrf.org/