HUNGER-STRIKING Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was praised today for her “firm stance on human and democratic rights” as she was honoured for her work by the German Association of Judges (DRB).

The panel awarded its Human Rights Prize to Ms Sotoudeh, saying that it wanted to honour her “highly impressive commitment in Iran and bring her fate to public attention.”

“Nasrin Sotoudeh has become a symbol of the Iranian civil-rights movement through her courage and tireless commitment to human rights and the rule of law,” DRB co-presidents Barbara Stockinger and Joachim Lublingoff said.

They urged international support for the jailed lawyer who started a hunger strike on August 11 in protest against the “unfair and illegal treatment” of political prisoners by the country’s clerical regime.

Ms Sotoudeh, who is in the notorious Evin prison, was sentenced to 33 years behind bars and 148 lashes on charges including conspiracy against national security and for disturbing public opinion.

She staged a 49-day hunger strike during a previous period of incarceration in 2012, when she was also jailed because of her human-rights work.

On Wednesday, Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde expressed “deep concern” for the lawyer’s health and called for her sentence to be reviewed by the Iranian authorities.

Jamshid Ahmadi, spokesman for the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights (Codir), welcomed the award and praised Ms Sotoudeh for “her firm standing on human and democratic rights and defending those on the receiving end of Islamic justice.”

Ms Sotoudeh dedicated the prize to four young protesters in Iran — Amir-Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi, Mohammad Rajabi and Navid Afkari — who are facing execution for participating in last year’s anti-government protests.

“I am deeply honoured and thank you all from the bottom of my heart because this is of great importance for the continuation of our actions,” she said.