IRAN - Immediate Release Hossein and Hassan Ronaghi

URGENT ACTION

Hossein Ronaghi, an Iranian blogger and activist, has been on a hunger strike since 3 September to protest the inhumane conditions in Iranian prisons. His physical health is rapidly deteriorating, and his life is now in grave danger. We urgently appeal to all international institutions, human rights organizations, and advocates for freedom worldwide to take immediate action to save Hossein Ronaghi and the thousands of political and conscience prisoners suffering under Iran’s oppressive regime.

Hossein Ronaghi has been sentenced to six years in prison by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The charges against him are related to his alleged involvement in the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.

Hossein Ronaghi was tried at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He was sentenced to five years for “collusion and assembly against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the state.” Under Iran’s legal framework, only the most severe sentence—the five-year term—will be enforced.

In addition to his imprisonment, Ronaghi faces further punishments, including flogging, a monetary fine, a ban on international travel, and restrictions on online activity, stemming from other charges related to the same case.

On the evening of 24 June 2025, Hossein Ronaghi was arrested by security forces after publicly condemning the Iranian government’s treatment of political prisoners on social media. Just a week earlier, his brother Hassan had also been violently detained.

Iranian activist Hassan Ronaghi has reportedly been severely tortured while in custody.

#FreeHosseinRonaghi #HungerStrike #FreeHassanRonaghi #Iran #FreePoliticalPrisoners #HumanRightsViolations

LETTER

Object: Immediate Release of Iranian Blogger and Activist Hossein Ronaghi and His Brother Hassan Ronaghi

Your Excellency,

I am writing to urgently request strong diplomatic pressure for the immediate release of Iranian blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi and his brother Hassan Ronaghi, whose situation is deeply concerning.

On the evening of 24 June 2025, Hossein Ronaghi was arrested by security forces after publicly condemning the Iranian government’s treatment of political prisoners on social media. Just a week earlier, his brother Hassan was also violently detained. In July, Hossein was tried at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and sentenced to five years in prison for “collusion and assembly against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the state.”

Hossein suffers from serious health conditions, was denied legal representation during his trial, and his family is now in a state of deep despair. He has been on hunger strike since 3 September to protest the inhumane conditions in Iranian prisons.

During his arrest, Hassan Ronaghi was severely beaten.

Iranian prisons currently hold a large number of political prisoners—including government critics, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, intellectuals, writers, filmmakers, artists, and activists—who are frequently subjected to torture, blackmail, solitary confinement, and inhumane treatment. In Iran, freedom of expression is systematically suppressed. Numerous reports document arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and executions of activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens.

I call for strong diplomatic pressure on the Iranian authorities to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Hossein and Hassan Ronaghi, as well as to demand the protection of all political prisoners in Iran. The lives of all Iranian political prisoners are at risk.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

(your name)

Mr. António Guterres

Secretary-General of the United Nations

Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General

Stéphane Dujarric

Spokesman for the Secretary-General

Email: dujarric@un.org

 

Ms. Mai Sato

United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran

Email: hrc-sr-iran@un.org

 

Ms. Hannah Neumann

Chair for the Delegation for relations with Iran

European Parliament

E-mail: hannah.neumann@europarl.europa.eu

 

Ms. Roberta Metsola

President of the European Parliament

Email: roberta.metsola@europarl.europa.eu

 

Ms Mary Lawlor

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

E-mail: hrc-sr-defenders@un.org

 

Ms. Ursula von der Leyen

President of the European Commission

Email: ec-president-vdl@ec.europa.eu  

 

Ms. Kaja Kallas

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

of the European Commission

Email: cab-kallas-contact@ec.europa.eu

EGYPT - Immediate release of Egyptian activists. Letter sent to Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation - 3/02/2023

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-all-egyptian-activists.html

IRAN - Immediate release of Iranian blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki, of Iranian human rights activist Arash Sadeghi and of prisoners of conscience held in Iranian prisons. Response from Mr. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister of Canada - Office of the Prime Minister) - 27/01/2023

Link Petitions

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-iranian-blogger-and-activist-hossein-ronaghi-maleki.html

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/urgent-gravely-ill-iranian-blogger-hossein-ronaghi-maleki-is-back-in-prison-where-he-could-die.html

TEXT LETTER

Dear Mariacarmela and Co-Signatories:

On behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence.

Please be assured that your comments have been carefully reviewed. I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your letter to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, so she may be made aware of your correspondence.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

N. Housany

Executive Correspondence Officer/Agent de correspondance

Executive Correspondence Services/

Services de la correspondance de la haute direction

IRAN - Immediately overturn the death sentence of Mohammad Ghobadlou - 26/01/2023

URGENT ACTION Amnesty International

Link

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/6368/2023/en/

Mohammad Ghobadlou is at grave risk of execution in connection with Iran’s nationwide protests. He has received two death sentences after grossly unfair sham trials, marred by torture-tainted “confessions” and failure to order rigorous mental health assessments despite his mental disability. International law and standards prohibit using the death penalty against people with mental disabilities.

Stop Executions In Iran. Letters sent to the embassies present in Iran - 28/12/2022

Link Petition

https://www.change.org/p/stop-executions-in-iran-67d98740-0b43-4ddb-baa7-b57dd88adb54

Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Tehran

Embassy of Finland, Tehran

Embassy of Germany in Tehran

Embassy of Portugal in Iran

Italy Embassy in Tehran

Embassy of Romania in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The Embassy of Greece in Tehran

South Africa Embassy in Tehran

Bulgarian Embassy in Tehran, Iran

Brazil Embassy in Tehran

Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tehran

Austrian Embassy in Tehran

Embassy of Malaysia in Tehran

Embassy of Switzerland in Iran

Embassy of Sweden in Tehran, Iran

Embassy of Spain in Iran

New Zealand Embassy to the Islamic Republic of Iran

Embassy of the Philippines in Tehran, Iran

Embassy of Denmark in Iran

British Embassy Tehran

Some of the letters sent

SAUDI ARABIA - Immediate release of all human rights activists detained in Saudi prisons. Letter sent to Embassy of Spain in Saudi Arabia - 16/12/2022

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-all-human-rights-activists-detained-in-saudi-prisons.html

AFGHANISTAN - Immediate support for the Afghan people. Letter sent to António Guterres (Secretary-General of the United Nations) - 12/12/2022

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-support-to-the-afghan-people.html

IRAN - Immediate release of Iranian blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki. Response from The EEAS Iran Division - Mr. Charles Michel (President of the European Council) - 7/12/2022

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-iranian-blogger-and-activist-hossein-ronaghi-maleki.html

TEXT LETTER

Dear signatories of the message of 4 November 2022 addressed to the President of the European Council,

Thank you for sharing your views and for your proactive stance vis-à-vis the case of Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki.

According to our information, Mr. Ronaghi-Maleki has been released on bail.

The EU and its Member States are monitoring the ongoing Iranian protests very closely and are united in their response to the widespread and disproportionate use of force by Iran’s security forces against nonviolent protesters.

The 25 September Declaration of the HRVP on behalf of the EU27 urged the Iranian authorities to strictly abide by the principles enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, and paved the way for further coordinated actions.

As part of the EU response to the killing of Mahsa Amini and the violent crackdown on the ensuing demonstrations, the Council adopted two rounds of restrictive measures against individuals and entities from Iran.

The EU will continue to use every opportunity in its direct contacts with the Iranian authorities to urge them to ensure respect for the fundamental right of all Iranians, men and women. Critical engagement will continue to play a crucial role alongside other EU tools.

Kind regards,

The EEAS Iran Division

IRAN – Immediate release of Iranian human rights activist Arash Sadeghi and of prisoners of conscience held in Iranian prisons. Letter sent to Ambassador of Poland to Iran, to the Ambassador of Croatia to Iran and to the British Ambassador to Iran - 3/12/2022

 

SYRIA - Stop the massacre of civilians in Syria. Letter sent to Charles Michel (President of the European Council) - 2/12/2022

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-massacre-of-civilians-in-syria.html

EGYPT - Immediate release of all Egyptian activists. Letter sent to Ambassador of Italy to the Arab Republic of Egypt, The Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt and Ambassador of Canada to the Arab Republic of Egypt - 28/11/2022

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-all-egyptian-activists.html

IRAN – Immediate release of Iranian blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki, of Iranian human rights activist Arash Sadeghi and of prisoners of conscience held in Iranian prisons. Letter sent to Mr. Joe Biden (President of the United States) and Mr. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister of Canada) - 19/11/2022

Link Petitions

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-iranian-blogger-and-activist-hossein-ronaghi-maleki.html 

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/urgent-gravely-ill-iranian-blogger-hossein-ronaghi-maleki-is-back-in-prison-where-he-could-die.html

 

IRAN – IImmediate release of Iranian blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki. Letter sent to President of the Senate of the Italian Republic, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Italy and President of the European Parliament - 12/11/2022

Link Petitions

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-iranian-blogger-and-activist-hossein-ronaghi-maleki.html 

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/urgent-gravely-ill-iranian-blogger-hossein-ronaghi-maleki-is-back-in-prison-where-he-could-die.html

 

PAKISTAN - Review of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Letter sent to Minister of Human Rights in Pakistan - 21/11/2022

Link Petition

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/review-of-the-blasphemy-laws-in-pakistan.html

IRAN - Immediate release of Iranian blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki. Response from the President of the European Parliament - 21/11/2022

Link Petitions

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/immediate-release-of-iranian-blogger-and-activist-hossein-ronaghi-maleki.html

https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/urgent-gravely-ill-iranian-blogger-hossein-ronaghi-maleki-is-back-in-prison-where-he-could-die.html

TEXT LETTER

Dear Ms Ribecco,

The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit of the European Parliament thanks you for your message calling on the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola to support the Iranian people, in particular the case of Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki.

We have read your message carefully. 

Please rest assured that the President of the European Parliament is deeply concerned about the situation in Iran.

President Metsola’s support for people protesting in Iran

Following the brutal death of Mahsa Amini, President Metsola spoke of the situation in Iran at the start of the plenary session on 3 October 2022. In her opening remarks, she said that the European Parliament stands with the women of Iran demanding change.

Addressing the European Parliament on 17 October, President Metsola paid tribute to the brave, defiant men and women protesting in Iran. She stressed that the sanctions adopted by the European Union (EU) ‘will hold accountable those who are responsible for the brutal crimes against women, youths and men - demonstrators outraged by the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini’.

On 9 November, President Metsola opened the plenary session, stated in response to the deteriorating situation in Iran: ‘We need an international investigation to keep the oppressive regime accountable for its ongoing human rights violations. It is now time to impose further targeted sanctions. There can be no business as usual with the Iranian regime’.

European Parliament’s position on the situation in Iran

On 6 October 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the killing of Mahsa Amini and calling for EU sanctions against her killers and those involved in violence against street protests. 

Parliament condemns the widespread and disproportionate use of force by Iranian security forces against the crowds, and calls on the authorities to immediately release and drop any charges against demonstrators. 

In particular, Parliament deplores the alarming escalation in the use of the death penalty against protesters, dissidents and members of minority groups. It calls on the Iranian government to introduce an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty as a step towards abolishing it, and to commute all death sentences.

Parliament encourages those EU countries with a diplomatic presence in Tehran to coordinate their actions in order to protect human rights defenders. More information is available in the press release on our website.

EU-Iran relations

The diplomatic relations between the European Union and non-EU countries such as Iran are not led by the European Parliament, but by the European External Action Service (EEAS). Outside its borders, the European Union is usually represented by diplomatic representations, which have a similar role to that of an embassy. However, the EU as a bloc does not have a diplomatic representation in Iran. More information on the EU-Iran relations is available on the EEAS website.

EU sanctions against Iran

Sanctions against certain countries, entities or individuals are not decided by the European Parliament, but by the Council of the European Union (representing the governments of EU countries). EU countries are responsible for implementing these sanctions within their respective jurisdictions.

In response to the death of Mahsa Amini, and the violent repression of the recent demonstrations in Iran, the Council of the EU added, on 17 October and 14 November 2022, 40 individuals and 7 entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in the context of the existing Iran human rights sanctions regime. The measures imposed consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze. EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. Furthermore, the sanctions prohibit exports of equipment to Iran which might be used for internal repression or for monitoring telecommunications. More information about the EU sanctions against Iran is available on the Council’s website. 

We would like to thank you for contacting the President of the European Parliament. 

Yours faithfully,

Citizens' Enquiries Unit (AskEP)

www.europarl.europa.eu/askEP/en