In a development that shines a light on the continuing struggle for human rights in Iran, Sepideh Kashani and Taher Ghadirian were released from Evin Prison on Tuesday, April 9th, just a day after the liberation of their environmentalist colleagues, Niloufar Bayani and Houman Jokar. These four environmental activists, who had worked for the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation defending the endangered Persian cheetah but were imprisoned under the shadow of espionage charges, have now stepped back into the world. The news was circulated widely across social media with images heralding their freedom, inspiring hope for many in Iran and across the world who had urged their release.

The legal battles and eventual release of these environmentalists draw attention not only to their individual plights but to a larger, systemic issue within Iran: the unjust and politically motivated imprisonment of individuals under the guise of national security. The charges of “espionage” imposed against these defenders of nature were widely criticized by human rights observers as baseless and reflective of a broader pattern of systemic repression. Moreover, fellow imprisoned environmentalist Kavous Seyed Emami died early in his imprisonment in 2018 under mysterious circumstances, with many believing he was killed by guards or security officials. Their detention and horrific treatment underscored a chilling message to civil society in Iran: environmental advocacy and activism, along with any form of dissent, are susceptible to criminalization in a judiciary system that lacks transparency and fairness. The prolonged solitary confinement, the absence of a fair trial, and the initial secrecy surrounding their arrests were stark reminders of the perilous path that human rights defenders tread in Iran. 

Notably, reports indicate that the actions of the director of a foundation that donated to the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation may have triggered or deepened the environmentalists’ legal troubles. Prior to the arrests of the environmentalists, the group had written a letter to the foundation expressing consternation that the director, Thomas Kaplan, had delivered a hawkish speech at the anti-Iran advocacy organization United Against Nuclear Iran.

As NIAC welcomes the release of Kashani, Ghadirian, Bayani, and Jokar, we must also amplify the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Iran. The joy of this moment does not eclipse the grim reality faced by countless others who remain behind bars for simply exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

The Iranian government’s gesture of releasing these four activists several years into their sentences, while positive, is but a drop in the ocean of necessary reform. All individuals inside Iran must have the freedom to defend their rights, their communities, and their environment without fear of retribution.

In an era where environmental crises demand global action, the suppression of environmental advocacy is not only a violation of human rights but a direct threat to our collective future. Iran has the opportunity to lead by example, to show that it values the critical voices that push for a better world and a nation that is a responsible steward of nature and its collective resources. The urgent release of other political prisoners would be a significant step in the right direction, signaling a commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights for all.