Imagine being forced to choose between your own freedom and the safety of your loved ones. This is the reality Reza Khandan, the husband of prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, has faced for years.
Reza’s story is one of unwavering courage and love. He’s a man who dared to speak out against the Iranian government’s forced hijab policy, even knowing the risks it posed. In December 2021, his activism landed him behind bars, where he’s currently serving a three-year sentence. This isn’t Reza’s first brush with the regime. He previously spent 111 days in jail for the same “crime” in 2019.
But Reza’s fight for freedom isn’t solely his own. He’s stood by his wife, Nasrin, a renowned lawyer who spent six years in prison for her work defending human rights. While Nasrin battled her own struggles behind bars, Reza juggled raising their children, running his design business, and facing constant threats from the authorities all while fighting for her release.
Today, Nasrin is home on medical leave, battling health issues stemming from her time in prison. Yet, Reza remains imprisoned, his voice echoing the struggles of countless others who dare to question the Iranian regime.
In a recent interview, Reza shared his thoughts on his activism, the horrors of Iranian prisons, and the importance of fighting for human rights. He explained why he believes in the fight for gender equality, even when it means risking his own freedom. “No country can achieve democracy, development, justice, and human dignity without guaranteeing equal rights for women and men,” he said. “A society that ignores the rights of half its population will never achieve true progress.”
We’ll delve into Reza’s powerful story, his experiences in the notorious Evin Prison, and his unwavering belief in a better future. This is a story of resilience, love, and the fight for human rights in the face of oppression.
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