Sadeghah Voseqi to Intellectuals and Public Opinion: Ensure Equality and Democracy for Women

Sadeghah Voseqi, a religious scholar imprisoned in Evin Prison, called on Islamic scholars, intellectuals, and public opinion to condemn the actions of the Islamic Republic and strive for the liberation of women in Iran and the Islamic world from a "harsh and painful domination" and to pave the way for "equality and democracy." In a note published on her Instagram page on Wednesday, April 4, she emphasized the need for the recognition of "freedom, human rights, and individual destiny" for women, highlighting the equality of women and men. This political prisoner criticized the "insufficient sensitivity of civil society and intellectuals towards the status of women" in Iran, which she believes has provided an opportunity for the Islamic Republic to increasingly encroach upon all aspects of women's existence. Voseqi described the "red line of the ruling religious tyranny" in Iran against women as the source of "insulting behaviors" by government agents, as well as "beatings" and "forced transfers" of women to detention centers over the past decades. This member of the first Tehran City Council emphasized that these "oppressive and inhumane behaviors" of the Islamic Republic have no place even in Shia jurisprudence and other Islamic sects and the traditions and history of Islam. The former University of Tehran professor further protested against "policies and practices unilaterally and arbitrarily imposed by men against women," adding: "Whenever I have discussed this issue with responsible officials, the response has always been that this is a procedure and we cannot deviate from it." Voseqi stated: "Living for 45 years under the extremist jurisprudence of the Islamic Republic has led many people in Iran to conclude that religion must be separated from government, and undoubtedly, this separation is a necessity for achieving the sovereignty of the nation over its own destiny." This imprisoned religious scholar pointed to the "discriminatory, painful laws and numerous restrictions" against women in Iran, as well as the "psychological and physical harassment" systematically employed against them, writing: "The Islamic Republic is trying with all its might to impose its discriminatory rights and dress code on them." Voseqi emphasized that women opposing compulsory hijab currently face "wider harassment" such as prohibition from entering educational and governmental institutions, deprivation of "social and even medical services," vehicle confiscation, and business closures. This political prisoner held in Evin mentioned "not covering her hair" as one of the charges against her and noted that for this reason, she has endured "imprisonment" and has been deprived of "the basic right of a prisoner, which is to meet with family." Voseqi's arrest on March 16 of the previous year at her home in Tehran has faced criticism. Seventeen religious thinkers issued a statement criticizing Voseqi's deprivation of medical services and expressed concern about her physical condition, holding the Islamic Republic responsible for the health of this imprisoned scholar and calling for her unconditional release. Shiva Mahbubi, a women's rights activist and spokesperson for the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, also described Voseqi's arrest as "arbitrary" and a "violation of her citizenship rights" in an interview with Voice of America. Following her deteriorating health, HRANA reported that Voseqi was sent to a hospital outside the prison. Voseqi expressed concern about the condition of a fellow inmate in Evin: Raheleh Rahimipour is "suffering from a brain tumor." Voseqi did not comply with the compulsory hijab in Evin Prison; Narges Mohammadi joined her sit-in. Twenty-one political prisoners criticized the exile of Saeed Madani to Damavand Prison: the rulers are seeking to create a hollow authority.