Meet Reza Khandan: Wife of Iran’s Top Women’s Rights Defender
Reza Khandan, a staunch advocate for womenS rights, faces unjust imprisonment in Iran for his activism. He was arrested in December 2024 for protesting against mandatory hijab laws, marking a renewed crackdown on dissent. Khandan, husband of human rights lawyer Nasrin sotoudeh, previously served 111 days for similar offenses. now, he navigates the grim reality of a multi-year sentence, echoing his wife’s struggles. Learn more about the couple’s fight for justice in a climate of human rights violations. News Directory 3 is covering this story closely. Discover what’s next in the fight for freedom.
Reza Khandan Imprisoned in Iran for Women’s Rights Advocacy
Updated June 01, 2025
Reza Khandan, an iranian man, is currently imprisoned for his vocal support of women’s rights. He was arrested in December 2024 for advocating against mandatory hijab laws and creating handmade buttons with the slogan, “I am against forced hijab.” This is not khandan’s first brush with the law; he previously spent 111 days in jail for the same offense before being released on bail.
Khandan is the husband of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer who herself has spent over six years in Iranian prisons for her activism. During her imprisonment, Khandan managed his graphic design business and cared for their children while advocating for his wife’s release, all while facing government threats. Sotoudeh is currently on medical leave due to a heart condition exacerbated by COVID-19 and mistreatment in prison.Now, Khandan faces at least three more years in Tehran’s Evin prison.
In an interview conducted via written questions passed to Khandan with difficulty, he explained his motivations.When asked why he risks imprisonment by criticizing the government, Khandan stated, “I have a duty and an honor to defend my rights and the rights of others. Without this, a dark future awaits us and our children. In a country like Iran, with such a government, any protest and criticism comes with risk, but it is a risk that I am willing to take.”
Addressing his support for women’s rights as a man, Khandan asserted, “No country can achieve democracy, advancement, justice, and human dignity without guaranteeing equal rights for women and men.A society that ignores the rights of half of its population will never achieve real progress.”
Recounting the day of his arrest, Khandan described returning home from errands to find several individuals speaking with his building manager. “As soon as I got out of the car, they came towards me, pointed to my car’s license plate, and said they were investigating a crime committed with this vehicle,” he said. He added that their claims were false and their true intention was to arrest him. Khandan was not allowed to say goodbye to his son.
Khandan spent that night in detention, enduring freezing temperatures, lack of heating, and inadequate provisions. “The cells had no beds, only a few dirty blankets that had to be divided between about 12 people,” he said. He also described a filthy bathroom lacking even soap.
What’s next
Khandan’s imprisonment highlights the ongoing challenges faced by human rights advocates in Iran, particularly those who champion women’s rights. His case continues to draw international attention, with calls for his release and for greater respect for human rights within Iran.