UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern Over the Situation of Sarvnaz Ahmadi, Imprisoned Children's Rights Activist

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of human rights defenders, expressed concern on Friday, October 5, regarding the situation of Sarvnaz Ahmadi, a children's rights activist imprisoned in Iran. In a message titled 'Distressing News from Iran' on her social media account, she noted that Sarvnaz Ahmadi has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Islamic Republic due to her peaceful activities. Despite her deteriorating physical condition and medical advice, this children's rights activist has been denied medical leave. Lawlor concluded her message by urging the Iranian government to release Sarvnaz Ahmadi for 'urgent' medical treatment. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Monday, September 24, that Sarvnaz Ahmadi, imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been on a hunger strike for over seventeen days in protest against the denial of her medical leave request. According to reports, Ahmadi, who suffers from a neurological condition, recently experienced a seizure again but has refused to take her medications, including tranquilizers, despite her poor mental and physical state. This medication strike has led to persistent headaches, insomnia, and severe muscle spasms, raising the possibility of repeated seizures for this imprisoned activist. Sarvnaz Ahmadi was arrested on May 1, 2023, just before International Workers' Day, along with several labor and civil rights activists by government agents at the home of Mohammad Habibi, a teachers' rights activist, and transferred to Evin Prison. The 15th branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years in prison for what was termed 'collusion and conspiracy to undermine national security' and an additional year for 'propaganda against the regime.' Ultimately, this sentence was reduced to three years and six months in prison by the 36th branch of the Tehran Court of Appeals. Sarvnaz Ahmadi was also arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 and was released on bail on December 7 of that year. She holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Velenjak, Tehran.