Nasrin Sotoudeh

Nasrin Sotoudeh, born on May 30, 1963, is a prominent Iranian human rights lawyer renowned for her unwavering commitment to defending activists, opposition politicians, and individuals subjected to human rights abuses. Her legal career has been marked by her representation of those detained following the contentious presidential elections in June two thousand and nine, as well as minors facing the death penalty for crimes committed during their youth.

Throughout her career, Sotoudeh has taken on high-profile clients, including journalist Isa Saharkhiz, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, and political activist Heshmat Tabarzadi. She has also bravely defended women arrested for defying Iran's strict dress code by appearing in public without a hijab, a violation that carries severe penalties in the country.

Her relentless pursuit of justice has not come without personal cost; Sotoudeh has endured multiple arrests and periods of imprisonment, facing harsh punishments such as lashing. The most recent of these incidents occurred in April two thousand twenty-six during the Iran war, highlighting the ongoing risks she faces in her fight for human rights.

In recognition of her significant contributions to human rights advocacy, Sotoudeh was the subject of the documentary 'Nasrin,' released in two thousand twenty. This film, shot clandestinely in Iran, offers a poignant glimpse into her life and the challenges she confronts in her quest for justice.