[Fdu] press release on arrest of Prof Homa Hoodfar

[Cynthia Wright]

Press Release

Iran / London / Montreal (8 June 2016) – For immediate release

CANADIAN PROFESSOR ARRESTED AND DETAINED IN IRAN’S EVIN PRISON
Dr Homa Hoodfar, a professor of anthropology at Concordia University in 
Montreal, was
arrested and detained in Iran on 6 June 2016. This comes after a 
previous arrest on 10 March
2016 by the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Iranian Revolutionary 
Guards, shortly before
Professor Hoodfar was to leave the country. The security forces had 
invaded her home and
confiscated all her personal belongings, including her passports, 
research documents, and
computer. She was subsequently released on bail, but was prohibited from 
traveling and had
been subjected to numerous lengthy and grueling interrogations for the 
last three months.

On Monday 6 June she was re-arrested after yet another such 
interrogation. The authorities have
not made clear whether Professor Hoodfar is being charged with 
espionage, sedition, or
propaganda against the state. Her lawyer and family have not been 
allowed to see her, nor has
the cause of arrest been explained to them. Furthermore, the authorities 
have refused to allow
Professor Hoodfar's relatives and lawyer to provide her prescription 
medication for a rare
neurological illness (Myasthenia Gravis) from which she suffers. At 65 
years old, Professor
Hoodfar’s health is of great concern to her family, especially because 
she suffered a mild stroke
last year.

Professor Hoodfar was in Iran conducting historical and ethnographic 
research on women's
public role. Her visit coincided with the elections in Iran, during 
which many new women
candidates were elected to the parliament.

Professor Hoodfar is a renowned anthropologist and during the past four 
decades has been
established as a major scholar of the role of women and the family in 
Muslim societies. Her
family, friends, and colleagues are highly concerned about her fragile 
health. They are outraged
by her treatment and the unfounded accusations of sedition brought 
against her, and hold the
Iranian judicial authorities directly responsible for her health.

Professor Hoodfar holds Canadian, Iranian, and Irish citizenship. Her 
family and colleagues have
demanded the rigorous intervention of these governments to bring about 
her immediate and
unconditional release.

Media Contacts:
London: Katayoon Hoodfar (GMT + 1): hkatayoon at googlemail.com, +44 7729 
123245
Montreal: Amanda Ghahremani (GMT – 8): Amanda.ghahremani at gmail.com, +1 
514 915 0920
Chicago: Kaveh Ehsani (GMT – 9): kehsani at depaul.edu, +1 312 257 8894