“Woman, Resistance, Freedom” – Appeal by 400 Prominent Women to Stop Execution of Zahra Tabari in Iran

More than 400 prominent women worldwide — including Nobel laureates, former presidents and prime ministers, parliamentarians, UN special rapporteurs, media personalities, sporting icons and leading human rights defenders — have signed an urgent public statement calling for the immediate release of a women’s rights champion on death row in Iran. Zahra Tabari, a 67-year-old Iranian mother and engineer, is at imminent risk of execution for holding up a banner bearing the words “Woman, Resistance, Freedom.”

On 7 July 2025, Iran’s state media called for a repeat of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. Since then, there has been a stark increase in the number of political executions and death sentences.

The appeal to stop Tabari’s execution has been organised by Justice for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre in Iran (JVMI).

Prominent women who have joined the appeal include eight former heads of state or government, three former Justice Ministers, and Members of Parliament from 14 countries.

CLICK HERE to see the profiles of the signatories.

The following is the text of their appeal:

“Woman, Resistance, Freedom” – Save Zahra Tabari from Execution in Iran

We condemn the Iranian authorities’ death sentence against Zahra Tabari—a 67-year-old mother and engineer—handed down in October 2025 in a sham 10-minute trial, held remotely via videoconference without her chosen legal representation. Zahra is accused of collaborating with the opposition PMOI and faces execution solely for holding a banner bearing the words “Woman, Resistance, Freedom”—a slogan of women’s defiance that has gained popularity particularly among female political prisoners.

For four decades, Iranian authorities have enforced brutal gender apartheid and institutionalised misogyny including through forced veiling. Thousands of female political prisoners have been executed, many during Iran’s 1988 massacre. Iran is today the world’s number one executioner of women per capita. Zahra’s case lays bare this terror: in Iran, daring to hold a sign declaring women’s resistance to oppression is now punishable by death.

Iranian women, who ignited the 2022 uprising and continue to lead a nationwide movement of resistance against tyranny, will not be silenced.

We demand Zahra’s immediate release, and we call on governments worldwide to stand with the women of Iran in their quest for democracy, equality, and freedom.