Zeynab Jalalian, Political Prisoner: Stay Home for One Day and Do Not Participate in the Sham Elections

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported that Zeynab Jalalian, the oldest and only female political prisoner serving a life sentence in Iran, has urged the people of Iran to refrain from participating in the "sham elections" on Friday, March 2. This Kurdish political prisoner, who has now entered her seventeenth year of imprisonment and has been deprived of leave and medical treatment throughout this time, stated in her message: "I remain behind bars for you, and you should stay home for just one day and not participate in these sham elections." In her message, which reached the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, she mentioned that she is behind bars "for the freedom and rights of the people of my homeland" and expressed: "After 16 years of captivity, I want to ask you, the people of my homeland, for freedom. Do not go to the ballot boxes like in previous years." Previously, many political and civil figures, as well as organizations, groups, and political parties inside and outside Iran, have called for a boycott of the March 2 elections for the Islamic Council and the Assembly of Experts. Zeynab Jalalian pointed out that a "small portion" of the people have been voting for "44 years for this oppressive regime" in hopes of improving living conditions, but unfortunately, they have witnessed that living conditions have worsened every day. She held voters responsible for this situation, stating: "You are responsible because by voting for this oppressive regime, you prolong the lives of these tyrants." Zeynab Jalalian, from Maku, was arrested in 2007 and in 2009 was sentenced to one year in prison for "illegal exit from the country" and to death for "waging war due to membership in opposition groups (PJAK)." Her death sentence was confirmed by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, but was later commuted to life imprisonment. Jalalian has reported being subjected to torture methods such as flogging on the soles of her feet, punches to the stomach, head banging against the wall, and threats of rape during her detention. There are concerns about Zeynab Jalalian's physical condition in Yazd prison; this political prisoner has been deprived of medical care. The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Unions has boycotted the "sham elections" of the parliament. The reaction of some Haft Tappeh workers to the March 2 elections: "We will not participate in a bloodbath and a game of crime." The annual report of the "Freedom House": The Islamic Republic is an "oppressive regime" and Iran is an "unfree country."