Change for Equality: Mansoureh Behkish, one of the supporters of the Mourning Mothers, was arrested on June 12, 2011 in a street in Tehran along with a few other individuals. According to reports, Ms. Behkish was first identified by security agents and was then arrested and taken to the Security Police. She was then transferred to Evin Prison as a special case. She has informed her family by a phone call that she remains detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Ms. Behkish has lost her six brothers and sisters during the mass executions in Iran in the 1980’s and currently she is the only family member who is taking care of her mother in Iran. She has always been a true defender of Iranian political and social activists and has been working as a member of Mourning Mothers in recent years. Ms. Behkish has been subjected to several interrogations and other pressures due to her human rights activities during the past years.

Since there have been no official charges brought against Mansoureh Behkish and because the Judiciary is not responsive to inquiries about her case, we, a group of women’s rights activists, demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Behkish and express our support for her legitimate and rightful activities.