UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern Over the Condition of Serwanaz Ahmadi, Political Prisoner

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, expressed concern over the condition of Serwanaz Ahmadi, a child rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison. On Friday, October 5, she wrote on social media platform X that despite Serwanaz Ahmadi's deteriorating physical condition and medical recommendations, she has been denied medical leave. Emphasizing that this child rights activist has been imprisoned solely for her peaceful activism, she stated, 'Iran must immediately release her for medical treatment.' Human rights media reported earlier in October that Serwanaz Ahmadi went on a hunger strike in protest against the prison authorities' refusal to grant her medical leave, and this strike has now lasted about 17 days. Despite serving 16 months of her three-and-a-half-year sentence, she has been denied medical leave and has not been granted parole. Previously, the website HRANA reported, citing a close associate of the child rights activist, that a physician appointed by the judiciary deemed her condition critical based on test results and an EEG, and requested emergency leave for her. According to the family of Narges Mohammadi and human rights organizations that reported on the raid by Evin prison officials on the women's ward on August 7, Serwanaz Ahmadi suffered from a seizure during that raid. Human rights media also reported that Ms. Ahmadi experienced another seizure a few days ago but continues to refuse her medication. Serwanaz Ahmadi was arrested in May 2023, just before International Workers' Day, along with several labor and union activists. She was initially sentenced to six years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of 'gathering and colluding to undermine national security' and 'propaganda against the regime,' but this sentence was reduced to three years and six months on appeal. Ms. Ahmadi was also arrested during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests and was later released on bail. Serwanaz Ahmadi holds a master's degree in social work.