Narges Mohammadi: The Islamic Republic Faces 'Despair, Disgust, and Fearful Instability'

Narges Mohammadi, a imprisoned human rights activist, stated in a post on her Instagram page: "The massacre and execution of youth in the streets and in prisons, and the arrest and torture of women and men, although it has brought sorrow to a nation, has confronted the government with despair, disgust, and fearful instability." The 51-year-old activist, who is currently in Evin prison, made these remarks on the anniversary of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' revolutionary movement, saying: "The intensification of government repression is not from a peak of power but from a depth of humiliation, and women, as the most radical force of the movement, have struck back against the 44 years of oppression by the religious government with multiplied strength." According to Ms. Mohammadi, "Although the government has emptied the streets of widespread protests through violent repression, it has not been able to claim the streets as its own." In another part of her statement, the spokesperson for the imprisoned Defenders of Human Rights Center referred to the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, stating: "September 16 is a day to record the oppression of the religious authoritarian government against women in Iran. On this day, alongside Mahsa's parents, let us raise our voices in revolutionary protest, and let us all, with every means and symbol, display our dissent in every square and street." Narges Mohammadi was reportedly beaten this week for 'not adhering to mandatory hijab in the presence of prison officials.' According to a report published on her Instagram page, the 'beating and insults' against this political prisoner occurred on Monday, September 11, due to her 'not wearing a mandatory hijab in the presence of prison officials.' The report emphasized that 'Hadi Mohammadi, the deputy officer, Rouhollah Tosli, the health deputy, and a person named Mohammadi, the head of prison security, along with two female guards, witnessed the beating and insults against Ms. Mohammadi.' Narges Mohammadi has been imprisoned multiple times in Iran. She was released in October 2020 after serving five years in prison, but with a new case opened against her, she was sentenced in June 2021 to 80 lashes and 30 months in prison for 'propaganda against the regime,' 'sit-in at the prison office,' 'disobedience to the prison authorities,' 'breaking windows,' and 'defamation.' This human rights activist was imprisoned again in November 2021. Over the past year, she has repeatedly protested various issues from prison and has been sentenced to 'propaganda activities' against the Islamic Republic due to her stances. The judiciary's penalties against Narges Mohammadi were increased with another new sentence to 10 years and 9 months in prison and 154 lashes. In May of this year, Narges Mohammadi jointly received the UNESCO 'World Press Freedom' award with Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, imprisoned journalists, and in June, she won the 'Freedom to Write' award from the American PEN Association. Narges Mohammadi stated: 'The song 'Take Off Your Hijab' by Mahdi Yarahai was a disaster for the authoritarian religious government.' The increase in 'abuse of political prisoners'; a group of female prisoners in Evin called for a boycott of 'Asiatech.' Narges Mohammadi's letter from Evin: violence against female political prisoners has increased. Bahareh Hedayat is on hunger strike; she has lost 'eight kilograms' and is suffering from 'severe weakness and heart palpitations.' Exclusive | 'Case-making' for a civil activist; Hamidreza Najafi: the incompetent government is doomed to destruction. Eisa Kalantari reiterated the innocence of imprisoned environmental activists; they were not spies. Solidarity among imprisoned teachers; Aziz Qasemzadeh called for the immediate release of Jafar Ebrahimi.