Iranian authorities must comply with international legal obligations to respect fundamental human rights, the Law Society said today as further information emerged on the growing number of lawyers being arrested and detained arbitrarily in the country. The latest clampdown follows a wave of protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini following her detention in September for incorrect wearing of the hijab. 

The Law Society said that reports have been received of 23 lawyers being arrested in the past month alone.  'We are extremely concerned about the welfare of these lawyers, many of whom we understand have been ill-treated in detention,' vice president Nick Emmerson said. 

'We are also extremely worried about a human rights defender on hunger-strike, who is said to be in a critical condition. It is reported that they have been refused visits from their lawyer and family members, including during their time in hospital.

'The arrest and detention of these lawyers who work to uphold the rule of law is particularly concerning because it signals a further restriction of the right to legal representation for thousands of people arrested across the country.'

The Law Society has called on the Iranian authorities to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release all lawyers and human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily arrested and detained and drop all charges against them;

• Pending their release, to guarantee the psychological and physical integrity of the lawyers and comply with international standards on conditions of detention;

• Ensure access to legal representation of their own choice for all those arrested and detained, including minors and those facing a death sentence;

• Ensure respect for fair trial guarantees in any proceedings brought against lawyers, human rights defenders and others; and

• Guarantee that all lawyers and human rights defenders can carry out their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance or improper interference.

Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh remains under house arrest following a prison sentence of up to 38 years, plus 148 lashes, imposed after she defended women arrested for protesting against the hijab laws. 

Meanwhile the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran yesterday warned of an unprecedented wave of violence against civilians in Kurdish-populated areas in the west of the country. Access to the internet has been shut down in the area to prevent the sharing of information about atrocities, the organisation said.