Paris, February 1, 2025 – A demonstration took place in front of the Panthéon in Paris to bring attention to the situation of political prisoners in Iran and denounce the regime’s use of hostage diplomacy. The rally featured speeches from former detainees and human rights advocates, urging international action against the Iranian government’s systematic repression.

One of the key speakers was former French detainee Louis Arnaud, who shared his experiences of imprisonment in Iran. Arnaud, a French banking consultant, was arrested in September 2022 while traveling and was accused of participating in protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. He was sentenced to five years on national security charges and spent time in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin Prison. Released in June 2024, Arnaud has since become an outspoken advocate for political prisoners.

During his speech, Arnaud highlighted the cases of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani, two political prisoners facing execution. He recounted his friendship with Behrouz, whom he met in 2019, describing him as a person of great integrity and courage. He quoted Behrouz, who had declared, “I have never bargained my life with anyone, and I am ready to offer my humble existence for the liberation of the Iranian people.” Arnaud also called for an immediate halt to the executions of political prisoners in Iran, emphasizing the urgency of international intervention.

The rally was also attended by Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian senator and presidential candidate known for her advocacy on human rights and a member of the Women’s Network for Change (WNC). Betancourt was abducted by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2002 and held captive for more than six years before her rescue. Her participation in the Paris rally emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to combat hostage diplomacy and political repression.

The demonstration comes amid growing international criticism of Iran’s practice of detaining foreign nationals and political dissidents as leverage in negotiations. Activists and former prisoners continue to call for stronger diplomatic measures and sustained global pressure to secure the release of those unjustly imprisoned.

We strongly condemn the use of the death penalty in all its forms, recognizing it as a violation of human dignity and an irreversible punishment that has no place in a just society. We urge all nations to take immediate steps toward abolishing the death penalty, ensuring the protection of human rights and fostering a commitment to rehabilitation over retribution. The sanctity of life should be upheld by all, and we call for a global movement to end this inhumane practice once and for all.