Increased Global Demands for the Release of Narges Mohammadi; American PEN Launches a Petition Campaign

Following reports of the beating of 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, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. On August 9, the American PEN Association expressed concern for the safety of Narges Mohammadi and other female prisoners who were targeted by military forces and prison guards in Evin Prison. They urged the public to sign a petition demanding the Iranian government release Narges Mohammadi. The statement noted that 'Narges Mohammadi and other women imprisoned in Evin Prison have been protesting against executions by the Islamic Republic for months, but prison officials prevented the treatment of sick women needing medical care during the protests on August 7 by locking the doors and ordered military forces to attack Mohammadi and other women in the prison yard.' The American PEN Association also expressed concern about the security of female prisoners in the Islamic Republic's prisons regarding Narges Mohammadi's health and her ten-month suspension of contact and visits, urging Iranian authorities to release her as soon as possible. Reporters Without Borders also expressed deep concern on August 9 about reports of physical attacks on Narges Mohammadi in Evin Prison, stating, 'We are deeply worried about the deteriorating health condition of this Nobel Peace Prize laureate.' This organization also called for the immediate release of Narges Mohammadi and for timely and complete information about her situation to be provided to her family. Narges Mohammadi's family, a human rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, reported on August 9 about the attack by government forces on her and other female prisoners in Evin Prison, expressing concern for her health. They stated, 'According to our information, on August 7, after a protest gathering by female prisoners against the execution of Reza Rasayi, Narges suffered a respiratory attack and chest pain due to several punches delivered by men from military and security institutions to her chest, and she fell to the ground in the prison yard, with no action taken to transfer her to the prison infirmary or hospital, which is deeply concerning given her history of heart disease and stenting.' Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner, is a human rights defender, journalist, writer, and the deputy president and spokesperson of the Center for Human Rights Defenders in Iran. She has been imprisoned in Evin since Fall 2022 on charges of 'propaganda against the regime.'