Sediqe Vosoughi Sent to Hospital from Evin Prison 'Without Hijab'

Sediqe Vosoughi's Instagram account reported her transfer from Evin Prison to Farabi Hospital, noting that she was 'without hijab' at the time of transfer. According to the text published on this account, Ms. Vosoughi was sent for an eye examination on April 16, accompanied by three officers (one woman and two men). It has been announced that Ms. Vosoughi's lawyer is pursuing a sentence of non-imprisonment. Reports indicate that in the early days of April, Evin Prison officials denied her permission to leave the women's ward for a family visit due to her refusal to comply with mandatory hijab laws, prompting this political prisoner to stage a sit-in protest in the prison office. Sediqe Vosoughi, a religious scholar imprisoned in Evin, has previously called on Islamic scholars, intellectuals, and the public to condemn the actions of the Islamic Republic and to work towards the 'liberation' of women in Iran and the Islamic world from 'harsh and painful dominance' and to pave the way for 'equality and democracy.' In a note published on her Instagram page on April 4, she emphasized the equality of women and men, demanding recognition of 'freedom, human rights, and individual destiny' for women. This political prisoner criticized the 'insufficient sensitivity of civil society and intellectuals towards the status of women' in Iran, arguing that it has provided an opportunity for the Islamic Republic to 'increasingly encroach' on all aspects of women's existence. Sediqe Vosoughi described the 'red line of the ruling religious tyranny' in Iran against women as the source of 'insulting behaviors' by government agents and the 'beating' and 'forced transfer' 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 tradition 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.' Ms. Vosoughi added: '45 years of living 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 people over their own destiny.' This imprisoned religious scholar pointed out the 'discriminatory, painful laws and numerous restrictions' against women in Iran, as well as the 'systematic psychological and physical harassment' employed against them, writing: 'The Islamic Republic, using all its power, seeks to impose its discriminatory rights and dress code on them.' Sediqe Vosoughi emphasized that women opposing mandatory hijab currently face 'wider harassment' such as being banned from entering educational and government institutions, deprivation of 'social and even medical services,' vehicle confiscation, and business closures. This political prisoner held in Evin noted that 'not covering her hair' was one of the charges against her, stating 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.' The arrest of Sediqe Vosoughi, which took place on March 17 at her home in Tehran, has faced criticism. Seventeen religious thinkers issued a statement criticizing her deprivation of medical services and expressing 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 Sediqe Vosoughi's arrest as 'arbitrary' and a 'violation of her civil rights.' Following her deteriorating health, HRANA reported on Sediqe Vosoughi's transfer to a hospital outside the prison. Concerns were also raised by Sediqe Vosoughi regarding the condition of a fellow inmate in Evin, Raheleh Rahimipour, who is 'suffering from a brain tumor.' Sediqe Vosoughi did not comply with mandatory hijab in Evin Prison; Narges Mohammadi joined her sit-in protest. Criticism from 21 political prisoners regarding the exile of Saeed Madani to Damavand Prison: Rulers are seeking to create a hollow authority.