Dozens of Human Rights Organizations Call for International Investigations into the 'Brutal Suppression' of Female Prisoners in Evin

Forty-three international non-governmental organizations active in the fields of human rights and women's rights have expressed concern over 'reports received from the women's section of Evin prison' and have called for international investigations into the beating of protesting political prisoners in this prison, including Narges Mohammadi. In a statement published on Narges Mohammadi's website on Monday, November 20, it is stated: 'As human rights activists, we express our full solidarity with all women who risk their lives in the struggle for peace, democracy, and the rule of law in Iran.' The signatories of this statement have called for 'independent international investigations to uncover the truth regarding acts of violence against political prisoners in Evin prison and to hold Iranian officials accountable for these allegations.' According to the statement, the demands of the signatory human rights activists include 'an immediate halt to the death penalty in Iran,' 'the release of all political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained,' 'the cessation of trials where legal defense rights and fair trial have been violated,' and 'immediate actions by the Iranian government to ensure the physical and psychological safety of detainees across the country, especially in the women's section of Evin prison.' The signatory human rights activists have also stated: 'Political prisoners in the women's section of Evin prison in Iran are being brutally suppressed. As human rights activists, we stand in solidarity with these imprisoned women and call for independent international investigations.' The signatories emphasized the importance of 'gender equality and the rule of law,' expressing 'deep' concern over the reports from Evin prison, stating: 'Currently, about 70 women prisoners from various generations and beliefs, with political charges, are being held in the notorious Evin prison. These women have been unjustly detained solely for their struggle for freedom and human rights in Iran.' They referenced reports of 'violent raids by prison officials' on the women's section on August 7, adding: 'Undoubtedly, we and our organizations stand firmly alongside these women and all activists and citizens who defend their rights.' The statement notes: 'Based on confirmed information we have received, these women were severely beaten by guards and security forces after they protested the execution of Reza (Gholamreza) Rasayi, which had been carried out that morning.' According to information previously provided to the Persian section of Voice of America, Heidatollah Farzadi, the head of Evin prison, ordered the raid by the Evin prison guards on the women's political prisoners' section on the evening of Tuesday, August 7, and was present during the raid, verbally abusing them. The human rights activists emphasized that the 'suppression' of political prisoners in the women's section of Evin occurred while they were 'peacefully gathering in the prison yard and chanting slogans demanding an immediate halt to executions and the abolition of the death penalty.' The signatories also reminded that the fellow inmates of the protesting women in Evin, including Pakhshan Azizi, Sharifeh Mohammadi, Varisheh Moradi, and Nasim Gholami Simiyari, are at risk of execution. The signatory human rights activists stressed: 'While the internal suppression of human rights activists and political opponents in Iran has intensified, we are deeply concerned about the unprecedented speed of executions in Iran. On August 8 alone, 29 people were executed, 26 of whom were executed collectively in Ghezal Hesar prison in Karaj.' The statement also noted: 'At a time when public opinion and media attention are largely focused on war and escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Islamic Republic continues its main war, a war it has waged for decades: a war against women and dissenters.' Previously, following reports of the beating of female political prisoners in Evin prison, Reporters Without Borders and the American PEN Association issued statements calling for the release of these prisoners, including Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Mostafa Nili, Narges Mohammadi's lawyer, stated that prison officials have struck the area of a 'tumor' in this political prisoner's body and that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has requested to meet with lawyers and also to be referred to forensic medicine. Reports of the suppression of female political prisoners in other prisons of the Islamic Republic have also emerged. For instance, a family member of one of the prisoners in Vakilabad prison in Mashhad previously told the Persian section of Voice of America about the women's prisoners protesting the very poor living conditions in the prison sections, stating that this protest, which occurred twice, was met with suppression by prison officials. The health condition of Sarvnaz Ahmadi in Evin prison has been reported as 'very critical'; officials are opposing her medical leave. A group of 'exiled political prisoners in Ghezal Hesar' has called for an end to executions and violence in society and prisons. Shirin Ebadi has warned about the situation of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners: the government has drawn its sword. The blows from the Evin guards to the chest of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Taghi Rahmani reported on Narges Mohammadi's 'breathing attack.'