Meghan Markle voices concerns about women’s rights in the US and Iran

Meghan Markle issued a heartfelt message to American but also Iranian women after a Tehran court sentenced a protester to death for taking part in “riots” following weeks of demonstrations against Iran’s ruling party. The ruling marks the first death sentence against an Iranian woman since protests erupted against Iran’s clerical establishment following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules. The Duke of Sussex used her latest podcast episode on women’s activism to extend her wholehearted solidarity with the protesters.As she concluded her latest podcast episode titled ‘The Audacity of Activist’, Meghan said: “In the weeks since we’ve been putting this episode together, a lot has changed. “Women’s rights here in the US still remain in limbo.”And in just the last week in Iran, their Parliament voted to impose the death penalty on all protesters in custody, as a quote, hard lesson for the rebels.”That’s with nearly 15,000 people having been arrested thus far for protesting.” Meghan Markle delivered a heartfelt message to American and Iranian women (Image: GETTY) Meghan Markle extended her solidarity with Iranian protesters (Image: GETTY)The Duchess of Sussex said: “How many of those being young girls young women?”We don’t know, but their message was clear for standing their ground, they should no longer be allowed to stand at all, or to live.”Our collective voice is our lifeline, women who are scared into silence remain silent.”But if they know they aren’t alone. If they know we are echoing their voice for the sight of right, then it’s no longer noise. Then what we’re making together is music.”READ MORE: RFK Jr ‘bewildered’ after Harry and Meghan win award Protesters across the world have expressed solidarity with Iranian women in marches worldwide (Image: GETTY) American women protested the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade after Politico broke the news (Image: GETTY)Women’s rights have come under threat this year, with American women losing guaranteed access to abortion at the federal level and Iranian women facing the death penalty for breaking the strict hijab rules. Iran’s Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the death penalty for protesters arrested at anti-government demonstrations. A court in Iran swiftly followed the Parliament’s order by issuing the first death sentence to a person arrested.The Revolutionary Court in Tehran found the unnamed defendant, who tried to set fire to a government facility, was guilty of “enmity against God”. Another 5 people were jailed on national security and public order charges.The majority of the members of Iran’s parliament also called on the judiciary to “deal decisively with the perpetrators of these crimes [the protests] and with all those who assisted in the crimes and provoked rioters”.DON’T MISS:Harry and Meghan ‘mistook popularity for position’ in key moment [REPORT]   Prince Harry wanted to raise Archie in Africa – new claim [REPORT]   Meghan Markle brings the drama with a ‘weapon’ [REPORT]    Joe Biden said he didn’t have the seats required to codify Roe v. Wade (Image: YOUTUBE/@SKYNEWS)At least 20 people are currently facing charges punishable by death, Norway-based Iran Human Rights said, citing official reports. Its director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, called on the international community to take urgent action and “strongly warn the Islamic Republic of the consequences of executing protesters”.In the US, women’s rights were dealt a worrisome blow after the Republican-led Supreme Court overturned the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade, which made abortion access legal across the US. The Democratic Party led by Joe Biden ran on the promise to codify the ruling to make the law of the land during the midterm elections. But the party fell short of the 60 seats required in the Senate to bypass the filibuster – a tactic used by the opposition to block a vote on legislation. In a press conference in Bali, Indonesia, President Biden said: “I don’t think there are enough votes to codify unless something happens unusual in the House”, adding: “I think we’re going to get very close in the House, but I don’t think we’re going to make it.”READ NEXT:Prince William is ‘holding huge grudge’ against Harry and Meghan’No golden coach!’ Meghan may have been wrong about ‘grand’ marriageTravelodge share weird guest requests – Meghan Markle dressI’m A Celebrity’s Mike Tindall lashed out at ‘b***end’ Prince HarryMeghan Markle’s unusual hobby that helped ‘pay the bills’