Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today (22 July) called for the release of Iranian human rights activist Shadi Sadr.

“The German Government condemns the detention of Shadi Sadr. Ms Sadr is a dedicated defence lawyer and campaigner for women's rights.

I appeal to the Iranian Government to do everything it can to ensure Ms Sadr is released without delay. The Iranian authorities are called upon to honour the international commitments they themselves have made to protect citizens' civil and political rights.”

Shadi Sadr is a prominent Iranian defence lawyer and women's rights activist. She is a co-founder of the “Stop Stoning Forever” campaign and opposes Iran's discriminatory laws. She has acted as defence lawyer for human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari, who was arrested in Tehran on 14 June 2009.

Iran has signed and ratified the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.