A/HRC/16/75 detention conditions of other prisoners. When confirming Ms. Sotoudeh’s sentence, the authorities noted that the judgement was not final and was subject to appeal. 34. On 16 January 2011, Ms. Sotoudeh’s husband, Reza Khandan, who had publicly campaigned for fair treatment of his wife, was summoned for questioning by the authorities and charged with spreading lies and disturbing public opinion. Mr. Khandan was released after paying $50,000 bail, but remains at risk of further sanctions by the authorities. 35. In a public statement made on 23 November 2010, the High Commissioner expressed serious concern at the fate of human rights defenders in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly Ms. Sotoudeh, and urged the Iranian authorities to review her case urgently and expedite her release. The High Commissioner noted that many of those currently detained were associated with the Centre for Human Rights Defenders, founded by the Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi. Mohamad Saifzadeh, a lawyer and co-founder of the Centre, was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment and a 10-year ban on practicing law for “propaganda against the system” and “forming an association whose aim is to harm national security”. Other members of the Centre are being prosecuted on similar charges or have been detained for shorter periods and prevented from travelling abroad. Several other human rights defenders and lawyers associated with human rights organizations or representing clients in sensitive cases were also prosecuted, arrested or put under a travel ban in recent months. The High Commissioner urged the Iranian authorities to review also the cases of other organizations whose members had been arrested or convicted in recent months, including the Committee for the Defence of Political Prisoners in Iran and the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, as well as individual lawyers representing clients in sensitive cases, together with student activists and leaders. The authorities reported that Mr. Seifzadeh had appealed against the sentence, and was subsequently released on bail. 36. The Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, in the absence of the High Commissioner, wrote to the Government on 22 December 2010 to highlight concerns about the case of Ms. Sotoudeh and also cases of other prosecuted or convicted human rights activists. She expressed her concern that Mohammad Oliyaeifard, a lawyer and board member of the Committee for the Defence of Political Prisoners in Iran, was serving a oneyear prison sentence for allegedly speaking out against the execution of his clients during an interview with media. She also pointed out that Javid Houtan Kiyan, who had defended Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, was arrested on 10 October 2010 and was still under investigation for links to anti-revolutionary groups abroad. The Deputy High Commissioner encouraged the Government to guarantee freedom of expression and assembly fully and to open up greater space for human rights lawyers and activists who play a pivotal and constructive role in protecting human rights in all societies. 37. Reports have been received about continued curbs on members of opposition groups. A number of opposition parties have had their licenses suspended, and some leaders have reportedly been barred from travelling outside the country. Security officials have allegedly periodically prevented visitors from visiting opposition leaders and their premises have come under sporadic attacks by unknown assailants. The press was reportedly directed not to publish items about opposition leaders, whose requests to hold rallies were frequently turned down. These measures will adversely affect the environment for conducting the parliamentary elections in 2011. 38. Opposition activists arrested in the wake of post-election unrest continue to receive heavy sentences. According to the Iranian press, in January 2011, the Appeal Court in Tehran upheld a sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and another 10-year ban from political activities and membership in parties for Emad Bahavar, head of the youth branch of the reformist Freedom Movement party. Mr. Bahavar, who was arrested in December 2009, was charged with being a member of Freedom Movement, collusion and assembly, and propaganda against the regime. The internationally acclaimed film maker Jafar Panahi, whose case attracted considerable international attention, was also sentenced to six years of imprisonment, coupled with a 20-year ban on film making, film writing, travelling abroad 12