Continued Hunger Strike of Sarvnaz Ahmadi; This Imprisoned Children's Rights Activist Seeks Medical Leave

On Monday, October 2, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran reported that Sarvnaz Ahmadi, a children's rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been on a hunger strike for over seventeen days in protest against the rejection of her request for medical leave. According to HRANA, Ms. Ahmadi, who suffers from a neurological condition, recently experienced another seizure, but despite her poor mental and physical health, she refuses to take her medications, including her tranquilizers. The report states that this hunger strike has led to persistent headaches, insomnia, and severe muscle spasms, and there is a risk of recurring seizures for this imprisoned activist. Sarvnaz Ahmadi had previously suffered a seizure during a security forces raid on the women's ward of Evin Prison and was transferred to a hospital. Doctors had indicated that her condition is suspected to be epilepsy and requires appropriate medical attention outside of prison. Additionally, Voice of America had previously reported that this children's rights activist has been on hunger strike since September 8 in protest against the rejection of her medical leave request and delays in receiving her necessary medications. Sarvnaz Ahmadi was arrested on May 8, 2023, just before International Workers' Day, along with several labor and civil rights activists at the home of Mohammad Habibi, a teachers' rights activist, and was transferred to Evin Prison. She was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for what was described as 'collusion and conspiracy to undermine national security' and an additional year for 'propaganda against the regime,' which was ultimately reduced to three years and six months by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. Sarvnaz Ahmadi was also arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 and was released on bail on December 7 of that year. She holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Velenjak, Tehran. The sixth day of Sarvnaz Ahmadi's hunger strike; Evin Prison officials oppose her medical leave. Three political prisoners in the women's ward of Evin and 22 prisoners in Urmia have gone on hunger strike. Civil activists warn about the 'inhumane conditions' of female prisoners: the situation of non-political prisoners is worse. Jamal Ameli, a civil activist in prison, is deprived of medical care. Sarvnaz Ahmadi's health condition in Evin Prison is reported to be 'very critical'; officials oppose her medical leave.