Human Rights Activists Call for International Investigation into the Suppression of Women Prisoners in Evin

Following reports of the beating of protesting women in Evin prison, including Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, a group of human rights activists has called for an international investigation into this matter. In a joint statement published in several European newspapers, including Libération in France and El País in Spain, they wrote: "We, human rights activists committed to gender equality and the rule of law, are concerned about reports we have received from the women's ward of Evin prison in recent days." They added: "There are currently about 70 political prisoners in Evin who have been arrested and detained arbitrarily solely for their struggles for freedom and human rights in Iran, regardless of their beliefs or generations." The statement condemned the recent violence by prison guards against these women prisoners, noting that the attack by security forces occurred during a peaceful gathering of women prisoners in the yard of Evin. The Narges Mohammadi Foundation based in France, Shirin Ebadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Pierre Haski from Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International Denmark, Shirin Ardakani, a lawyer, Doctors Without Borders, the International Federation for Human Rights, and all together against the death penalty are among the signatories of this statement. Narges Mohammadi has not been sent to the hospital despite "the recommendations of prison doctors." They wrote that now more than ever, the women's ward of Evin has become a base of resistance and struggle for freedom. On August 9, the family of Narges Mohammadi reported that during a raid by agents on a protest against executions in the women's ward of Evin prison, Ms. Mohammadi and several of her fellow inmates were injured. The "Tuesdays Against Execution" campaign, which has been underway in several prisons for about six months, was dedicated last Tuesday to protesting the execution of Reza Rasayi. Political activists reported that on August 7, following the announcement of Reza Rasayi's execution and subsequent protests by women prisoners in Evin, security forces attacked them and the phones in this ward were cut off. The lawyer of Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist imprisoned in Evin, stated that despite the recommendations of the prison's medical staff, no action has been taken to send her client to the hospital. Mostafa Neyli, on Wednesday, August 16, referred to the recent beating of Ms. Mohammadi by prison guards in an interview with the "Emtidad" news site, quoting Ms. Mohammadi as saying there are "signs of bruising on her body." He further stated that meeting with lawyers and being referred to a forensic doctor are two of his client's demands from prison officials, and fellow inmates of this human rights activist have said that despite the recommendations of the prison's medical staff, no arrangements have been made for Narges Mohammadi's transfer to the hospital.