A group of prominent French figures have signed a letter addressed to the Iranian Embassy in Paris calling for the release of 12 activists in Iran.

The letter, from more than a hundred prominent French personalities, draws attention to “illegally detained feminist activists” and more broadly to all prisoners who champion human rights in Iran.

The signatories include Laurence Rossignol, vice-president of the Senate of the French Republic, Olivier Faure, first secretary of the Socialist Party, Sandrine Rousseau, ecologist deputy Nupes and Dominique Voynet, doctor and former minister. Collectively, the group deplores the arrest on August 16 and 17 of a dozen of Iranian women's rights and civil activists in the northern province of Gilan.

The letter, titled "Justice for Iran," was addressed to the Chargé d'Affaires of the Iranian embassy. Central to their plea is the fundamental principle of freedom of expression, as enshrined in international agreements, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Iran is a signatory.

One week after their arrest, the prisoners remain incarcerated, despite efforts from their families, who are demanding temporary release.

The recent intensified crackdown against human rights activists across Iran coincides with the September anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody.