In a recent development, 54 Iranian lawyers from Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province have been summoned by judicial authorities to explain their social media posts expressing support for the family of Mahsa Amini. Amini tragically passed away while in police custody, sparking unrest over the continued suppression of women's rights by the Islamic regime. Activists view this move as part of a wider campaign by officials to pressure lawyers critical of the government.

The Norway-based rights monitoring group, Hengaw, reported on July 13 that the lawyers are being investigated for publishing "images and content against public modesty" rules. This investigation relates to a statement posted online in September 2022, just days after Amini's death, in which the lawyers offered legal representation to her family. The lawyers condemned any illegal behavior by state institutions and organizations, implicitly referring to the pressure exerted on the family to accept the official explanation for her death, citing health reasons.

Amini's family and witnesses of her arrest claim that she was beaten during her apprehension and had no prior history of health problems. Since the publication of the letter, the Bukan prosecutor has allegedly put continuous pressure on these lawyers, presenting contradictory justifications, according to unnamed "informed sources" quoted by Hengaw.

According to Hengaw, the lawyers have been summoned to appear in court between July 11 and July 16. This summons follows an increasing trend of state pressure on independent lawyers critical of state repression and those who have defended individuals arrested during anti-establishment protests.

During the crackdown on protests, numerous lawyers were detained, although the majority were released following an amnesty declared by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February. However, since May, over 100 lawyers across Iran have been summoned by authorities without specific charges. The lawyers who have undergone these proceedings have reported that they mostly take place in the security court located in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.

The summoning of the Bukan lawyers highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Iranian lawyers who choose to speak out against state repression and provide legal representation to those affected by it. Human rights organizations continue to monitor the situation closely, raising concerns about the restriction of freedom of expression and the independence of the legal profession in Iran.