The present document relates to the cases of two Iranian lawyers sentenced to prison terms of 18 years and six years respectively for their human rights activities. Human Rights Watch calls for the Iranian judiciary to immediately overturn a March 4, 2012 court ruling against Abdolfattah Soltani, a lawyer convicted on charges that violate his rights to freedom of expression and association protected under international law.   The government has increased pressure against lawyers defending rights activists since 2005, and especially after the 2009 election protests. In August 2011, Ebadi said that at least 42 lawyers had faced government persecution since June 2009. The Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers are relevant, specifically those related to freedom of expression and access to lawyers and legal services.