The Global Student Forum (GSF) stands in solidarity with Ali Ramezani, a student in the field of electrical engineering from Iran, and an advocate for human rights and academic freedom. Ramezani, a laureate of the International Microelectronics Olympiad 2023 and a member of the Iranian national team has faced unwarranted persecution due to his commitment to the rights of students and the principles of peace and freedom in Iran.
Before his arrest in October 2023, Ramezani studied his master’s degree at Amirkabir University of Technology and was deeply involved in human rights activities. His work for the AmirKabir Newsletter, a voice for the Iranian student movement, has been crucial in documenting and advocating against the violations of student rights and academic liberties in Iran.
Ramezani’s arrest, subsequent imprisonment for three years and seven months on political charges, and expulsion from university starkly underscore the perilous conditions facing student activists in Iran. His efforts to illuminate injustices, particularly through the AmirKabir Newsletter in times of heightened political sensitivity, demonstrate his dedication to the ideals of truth, freedom, and justice.
The GSF condemns this suppression of peaceful student activism and violation of academic freedoms, as evidenced by the actions taken against Ali Ramezani and countless others. The right to education and free expression is fundamental, and no student or academic should ever face retribution for advocating for these rights.
We call upon the international community, academic institutions worldwide, and human rights organizations to join us in demanding the immediate release of Ali Ramezani and all students and academics unjustly detained for their peaceful activism. Furthermore, we urge the Iranian authorities to respect the autonomy of educational institutions and the rights of students to express their views and engage in peaceful activism without fear of reprisal.
