Imprisoned Women in Evin: We Are Concerned About the Health of Narges Mohammadi

A number of women imprisoned in Evin expressed concern over the physical condition of Narges Mohammadi, a political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in a letter received by Voice of America on Wednesday, November 3. They wrote: "We, a group of Narges Mohammadi's fellow inmates in the women's ward of Evin, protest the prison's refusal to transfer her to the hospital, as she suffers from serious and multiple illnesses, and we are worried about her health." These imprisoned women highlighted various health issues faced by Narges Mohammadi, including chest and back pain, heart problems, and an urgent need for angioplasty and physiotherapy, criticizing the prison authorities for their negligence regarding her condition. The letter states that the specialist doctor at the hospital, the prison's attending physician, and the head of the prison medical service have emphasized the necessity of Narges Mohammadi's "emergency transfer" to the hospital for medical treatment, but prison officials refuse to act on the orders of "higher authorities." It continues that "Narges Mohammadi recently visited the medical unit due to chest pain, and her ECG showed changes that, according to her doctor at Evin, are accompanied by fluctuations in blood pressure and concerning health conditions." The imprisoned women say: "We only demand medical attention and the transfer of our fellow inmate for treatment. A legal demand that the prison is obligated to fulfill." They further state: "Isn't the prison responsible for the health of inmates? Why do we have to protest in various ways every time for the transfer of Narges and sometimes even other prisoners?" These imprisoned women, referring to the anxiety and difficult conditions prevailing in Evin prison, say that the women's ward is currently experiencing its most crowded period in recent years. According to them, in such conditions, prison officials, instead of providing more care, are shirking their most basic legal duties, such as hospital transfers, and exacerbating the anxiety and difficulties of the inmates during this period. Narges Mohammadi's health has severely deteriorated in recent months in Evin prison, and she has been deprived of adequate medical care. Ms. Mohammadi has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times over the past two decades. In her latest legal case, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for "propaganda against the regime" and is currently held in Evin prison in Tehran. Support for the "Black Tuesdays" campaign was expressed in a virtual meeting against the death penalty. Women prisoners in Evin protested against "sexual harassment." The Islamic Republic has prevented Mohammadi's transfer to the hospital "three times" in one month. Narges Mohammadi stated: "The greatest transformation regarding women's rights issues in Iran has occurred." Narges Mohammadi's request to the General Assembly: help to stop human rights violations in Iran. An empty chair for Narges Mohammadi at the International Pen Congress. The "Freedom for Narges" coalition called for global efforts for the immediate release of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.