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The Council of Europe awarded human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh with the Vaclav Havel human rights prize. She is a prominent advocate for the rights of women, children and political prisoners.

Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh is one of Iran's best-known human rights activists. On September 28, she was awarded the Council of Europe's Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. In 2026, Sotoudeh was one of three finalists for prize. The other nominees were the Iranian-American journalist and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad and the Hungarian human rights lawyer Marta Pardavi. The Council of Europe is honoring Sotoudeh's longstanding commitment to human rights and her work, which she has carried out at considerable personal risk. The council said Sotoudeh campaigned against compulsory hijab laws and the death penalty, "despite repeated arrests, lengthy imprisonment and great personal risk."

Who is Nasrin Sotoudeh?

Human rights lawyer Sotoudeh is committed to women's rights, the rights of political prisoners, and the abolition of the death penalty. She has represented numerous activists, journalists, members of religious minorities, and people sentenced to death. "In moments like this, we remember past struggles, we recall our shared ideals and we think of the individuals across the globe who stand with us," Sotoudeh said in a video statement from Tehran.

As early as 2012, she was awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize, along with film director Jafar Panahi. At the time, she was in prison and was unable to accept the award in person. In 2019, she had been sentenced to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes. One reason for the sentence was her work as a lawyer for women who had protested against Iran's headscarf mandate. Even while in prison, she continued her advocacy for human rights. In 2020, Sotoudeh went on a hunger strike at Evin Prison to protest the conditions of detention and the situation of political prisoners. That same year, she was among the recipients of the Alternative Nobel Prize (Right Livelihood Award) and learned of the award while in prison.

Sotoudeh's husband, Reza Khandan, is also in prison. He was convicted for peaceful resistance to the mandatory headscarf law. Sotoudeh is not allowed to visit him because she refuses to wear the state-mandated hijab. She told DW in 2025 that the regime uses the authoritarian tactic of classifying a large portion of the citizenry as "potential criminals." "This is how people end up committing a crime in some way, even when they are not in prison. This happens when everyday behavior part of people's normal lives is criminalized. In this way, a large portion of society is turned into potential criminals," Sotoudeh said.

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Voice for women's rights in Iran

During Iran's nationwide "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest movement in 2022, Sotoudeh once again became a leading voice for the rights of Iranian women. Her decades-long commitment symbolizes the enduring resistance against state restrictions and repression. She has been arrested repeatedly and sentenced to long prison terms, including in April 2026. In May, she was released on bail. The Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize recognizes "outstanding civil society action in defense of human rights" in Europe and elsewhere. The prize is worth €60,000 and is awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in cooperation with the Charter 77 Foundation.

Author Shabnam von Hein

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German lawmakers demand release of Nasrin Sotoudeh

The Iranian human rights activist was sentenced to jail for disseminating "subversive propaganda." Sotoudeh denies all charges, saying she only peacefully fought for women's rights and against the death penalty.

A group of German lawmakers released a signed statement on Thursday demanding the "unconditional" permanent release of Iranian human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh, who was named a Right Livelihood Laureate last month. The 38 signatories included Bundestag Vice-President Claudia Roth, Dr Anton Hofreiter (Chairperson of the Green Parliamentary group), Gyde Jensen (FDP), Bärbel Kofler (SPD), Gysi Gregor (Die Linke) and Michael Brand (CDU).

"We express our full solidarity with Ms. Sotoudeh, and we will continue to stand by her and all other human rights defenders pursuing the respect of fundamental freedoms for all Iranians," the parliamentarians wrote. The letter, along with a video message and the social media campaign #StandUp4Nasrin, comes just days after Iranian authorities released Sotoudeh on temporary medical leave. Together with the Right Livelihood Foundation, the lawmakers demanded that Iranian authorities free Sotoudeh permanently and drop all charges against her. The open letter also urges Iran to guarantee that all human rights defenders are able to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

Who is Nasrin Sotoudeh?

Nasrin Sotoudeh is a political prisoner in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran. Sotoudeh was originally detained in June 2018. She was sentenced to a total of 38 years imprisonment and 148 lashes in March 2019. Sotoudeh’s health has deteriorated rapidly in the past months. And this week, her husband Resa Chandrin wrote on Facebook his wife had contracted the coronavirus while in prison. While in detention, Sotoudeh has conducted several hunger strikes to raise attention to the plight of political prisoners. Most recently, she conducted a 40-day hunger strike demanding the release of all political prisoners held amidst deplorable conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The campaign to free Nasrin Sotoudeh

In a video released alongside the open letter, parliamentarians called for international support for Sotoudeh, urging everyone to "Stand up for Nasrin." The online campaign launched by the Right Livelihood Foundation in coordination with PEN America, using the hashtag #StandUp4Nasrin, is meant to gather support for Sotoudeh around the world.

Gyde Jensen, head of the Human Rights Committee in the German Parliament, told DW there needed to be a steady application of international pressure. "I think the Iranian regime needs to justify its actions against human rights lawyers," she said. "And Nasrin Sotoudeh's is one of the most important figures at the moment. And she's leading the fight for a better human rights situation." On October 1, she was named one of the 2020 Right Livelihood Laureates "for her fearless activism, at great personal risk, to promote political freedoms and human rights in Iran."

Author: John Silk with dpa

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