Women's Accounts of Abuse in Detention: 'Naked' in Front of Security Cameras and Feelings of 'Assault' and Fear

Several women's rights activists have revealed that judicial officials of the Islamic Republic forced them to undress completely for photographs during their detention. Mojgan Kashavarz stated that being naked in front of security cameras gave her a feeling of 'assault and fear.' The Twitter account of the 'Me Too' movement in Iran published Mojgan Kashavarz's account on Sunday, June 7, where she mentioned that prison officials compelled her to be 'completely naked' and pose with 'legs open,' 'sit and stand,' for photographs. The tweet stated: 'They said you must undress completely so we can take pictures of your entire body, so that if you leave here, you cannot claim that I was tortured.' According to this account, Kashavarz expressed that she felt 'ashamed' and covered her private parts with her hands, but the officer shouted, 'Face me and put your hands down; now sit and stand with your legs open.' Kashavarz stated that after her arrest, she was taken to 'Vezara,' the same place where Mahsa Amini was killed, where she felt 'assault and fear' being naked in front of security cameras. This women's rights activist added that she was then taken to the 'camera room' in Qarchak prison, where they told her, 'You must undress completely for us to take pictures of your entire body,' and when she asked why, they said, 'So that if you leave here, you cannot claim that I was tortured.' According to this account, Kashavarz emphasized the 'humiliation' and pressure during interrogation for obtaining a 'forced confession,' revealing that 'in solitary confinement of a unit of the IRGC's Quds Force,' an interrogator threw a chair at her, causing serious injury to her neck, and upon being transferred to 'Shahada Tajrish' hospital, a neurologist diagnosed a torn ligament in her neck that required surgery, and she was subsequently released 'conditionally.' Based on this account, a new case has been opened against Mojgan Kashavarz on charges of 'corruption on earth,' and 'the previous case has also been reopened.' Zeynab Zaman, a feminist activist, recounted that during her arrest, 'I was completely undressed twice,' and the officer said, 'Undress completely and then sit and stand twice. I was shocked and said nothing.' She mentioned that the second time was 'being naked in front of the solitary cell camera.' Nasibe Shamsai, one of the girls from Enghelab Street, also wrote that 'they did this to me three times,' and 'it is unclear who the observers were. The female guard said to take off all your clothes.' Shaparak Shajari Zadeh, another girl from Enghelab Street, also stated that she had 'this terrifying experience,' and when she tried to cover her 'genitals and breasts,' 'the officer sharply said to take your hands off and now sit and stand.' Roya Kashef: The issue of compulsory hijab is about maintaining all legal discrimination against women. The civil struggle of women in Iran continues, walking without compulsory hijab. Vida Rabani, a jailed journalist: Nervous medications are distributed among prisoners like 'candy.' Proposal by Naghdali, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly: Punishment of 'flogging' for not wearing hijab. The judiciary: Unveiled individuals will be deprived of professional activities. A new bill to maintain compulsory hijab; from 'business' to efforts to uphold discriminatory laws.