The Islamic Republic of Iran has long attempted to enforce gender apartheid through various means, including the deployment of morality patrols to impose its repressive laws on women and society. Today, by issuing and enforcing harsh sentences against women’s rights activists, the regime is attacking the achievements of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement and the ongoing struggle of women for their rights.
Details of the Arrest and Initial Trial of 11 Women’s Rights Activists in Gilan:
In a controversial move, Branch 11 of the Appeals Court in Rasht confirmed more than 60 years of imprisonment for women’s rights activists and political activists in Gilan Province without holding a formal court session. These arrests and severe sentences, finalized by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh as reported by the “Bidarzani” channel, have sparked widespread reactions and criticism both domestically and internationally, with significant coverage in the media and human rights assemblies.
According to the report, these 11 women’s rights activists were arrested on August 16, 2023, in four cities within Gilan Province: Rasht, Anzali, Lahijan, and Fuman. The Gilan Intelligence Office, without presenting any evidence, claimed that these individuals intended to engage in subversive activities. During their detention, these activists were repeatedly tortured and mistreated by the regime’s operatives and were eventually released on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht.
Initial Trial
The court session to address the charges against these 11 women’s rights activists was held on Thursday, February 29, 2024, in the Third Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, with the verdict announced on March 27, 2024. In this session, Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison on charges of forming a group with the intent to disrupt national security and conspiracy. Eight other women—Forogh Saminia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shahsiah, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, Azadeh Chavoushian, and Zahra Dadras—were each sentenced to six years, three months, and 17 days in prison on charges of membership in a group and conspiracy. The other two defendants, Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri, were each sentenced to one year in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime.
On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh at Branch 11 of the Appeals Court in Rasht confirmed the sentences totaling over 60 years without holding a retrial or court hearing. These heavy sentences were met with widespread condemnation from activists, civil society organizations, and human rights groups. Among the organizations condemning these sentences were the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the Voice of Iranian Women, a group of civil activists, the Iranian Writers’ Association, the Center for Human Rights Defenders, and the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners. UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor and U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller also condemned these sentences as unjust and an attempt to intimidate and silence activists.
Filing Complaints by Several Women’s Rights Activists and Civil Activists in Gilan
Several of those arrested in August in Gilan filed complaints with the “Prosecutor’s Office” and the “Citizen Rights Association” against the illegal actions of the Ministry of Intelligence agents involved in their case.
These activists were arrested on August 16 and released on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht after 50 days.
Details of Torture and Abuse of These Activists During Detention:*
– Zohreh Dadras (Fatemeh): After her arrest at her residence in Rasht, officers entered her home without permission, causing terror for her elderly mother and niece. She was insulted and tortured during interrogations and was denied medical treatment. After 46 days, she was released on October 1, 2023, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Zahra Dadras: During her arrest, armed male officers attacked her children and subjected her to physical and psychological abuse. In her first interrogation session, she was thrown off a chair, hitting the wall and sustaining injuries. She was threatened with the release of her private photos and was denied necessary medications, which led to severe menstrual bleeding for 20 days. Zahra was released on September 17, 2023, after 32 days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Sara Jahani: When arrested in Rasht, security officers wrapped a bedsheet around her body and beat her with fists and kicks, pressuring her to reveal her phone’s password. During her detention in the Ministry of Intelligence’s solitary confinement, interrogators subjected her to verbal abuse, sexual humiliation, threats of physical torture, and threats of hospitalization in a psychiatric facility, as well as a virginity test under the guise of a forensic examination. She was held in Lakan Prison without a warrant for over two weeks. Sara was released on October 1, 2023, after 46 days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Forogh Saminia: During her arrest, security officers broke into her home and physically assaulted her, injuring her hand. In the Intelligence Office, they staged a mock execution to intimidate her. She was threatened with flogging during interrogation and was repeatedly subjected to sexual insults by the interrogator. Farogh was able to contact her family six days after her arrest. On the 20th day of her detention, while still in solitary confinement, she was taken to the hospital due to the pressures she had endured and was admitted for several hours. Farogh was released on October 4, 2023, after 50 days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri: Hooman was severely beaten during his arrest by officers. Throughout his three days in the Intelligence Office, he was constantly handcuffed and shackled, and subjected to continuous beatings and sexual insults. A mock execution was also staged. After three days, Hooman was transferred to a notorious section of Lakan Prison, where he was again beaten and sexually assaulted, resulting in a broken tooth and neck bruises. During the search of Jelveh Javaheri’s home, her husband was beaten by security officers and threatened with arrest. Hooman was held in solitary confinement for the entire duration of his imprisonment, with 20 days spent in the Intelligence Office and the Security Police detention center. Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri were released on September 17, 2023, after 32 days in detention.
– Matin Yazdani: During her arrest and the search of her home in Rasht, Matin’s mother suffered a panic attack, but she was not allowed to receive medical attention. Throughout her interrogations in the Intelligence Office, she was repeatedly subjected to sexual insults, threats, including being sent to a psychiatric hospital, force-fed medication, and threatened with flogging. Her mother’s health was used as a tool of psychological pressure during interrogations. Due to the interrogator’s deliberate shouting, she suffered permanent hearing damage but was denied medical treatment despite the prison doctor’s approval. Matin was released on September 17, 2023, after 32 days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Negin Rezaei: During her arrest, she was injured in the leg due to the violence of the officers. During interrogations, she was mentally tortured by being degraded, threatened with execution and flogging, and fed false information about her family’s health. She also faced additional psychological and physical pressure due to the lack of dietary accommodation as a vegetarian and the imposition of a forced hunger strike. Negin was released on August 25, 2023, after nine days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Yasamin Hashdari: She was arrested while sleeping at her home in Bandar Anzali without the presence of female officers. During interrogations, she faced multiple psychological pressures, including threats of arresting her husband and family members. On the night of August 21, she was taken to a medical center in Rasht following a severe heart palpitation and a nervous attack caused by repeated and nighttime interrogations. After a few hours of treatment, she was transferred to the quarantine section of Lakan Prison in Rasht. Yasamin was released on September 19, 2023, after 34 days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
– Shiva Shah Siah: She was arrested under physical pressure and threats. During interrogations, personal information from her phone, irrelevant to the charges, was used to threaten, intimidate, and sexually humiliate her. As a result, she was threatened with physical violence and death during her detention. Shiva was released on August 27, 2023, after 11 days in detention, on bail of 5 billion Rials.
Re-Arrest and Enforcement of Sentences Against 11 Women’s Rights Activists in Gilan
On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Zahra Dadares was arrested at her father’s home without prior notice or summons. After her sister, Zahra Dadares, released a video message on social media informing the public about her sister’s arrest, she too was detained and taken into custody. Both women were subsequently transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. At the same time, other activists in Gilan were informed via phone that they must report to Lakan Prison in Rasht by Saturday, July 13, 2024, for the execution of their sentences. As a result, on Saturday, July 13, women’s rights activists Jelveh Javaheri, Azadeh Chavooshian, Negin Rezaei, Forough Samienia, Shiva Shahsiah, and Matin Yazdani were transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht, the capital of Gilan province, to begin serving their sentences. On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Hooman Taheri, Sara Jahani, and Yasmin Hashdari were arrested after reporting to the Enforcement Office of the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office and were also taken to Lakan Prison in Rasht.
Campaign Against 60 Years of Imprisonment for 11 Women’s Rights Activists in Gilan
The demand for the immediate release of women’s rights activists in Gilan and an end to the repression of women’s rights advocates must become a public demand. On July 12, 2024, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners launched a campaign titled “Against Harassment and the Repeal of Long Prison Sentences for Women’s Rights Activists.” The committee called on everyone to join the campaign in solidarity and support for these women’s rights activists. By building nationwide unity, they aim to turn the demand for the annulment of the sentences and the unconditional release of these activists in Gilan into a widespread public demand.
Conclusion
This report highlights the severity of repression and violence against women’s rights activists in Iran. The confirmation of harsh sentences without holding a trial or conducting a review indicates the injustice within the Iranian judicial system, whose main goal is to silence the voices of protesters and human rights activists. Given the available evidence, the international community must respond more seriously to the violations of women’s rights and human rights in Iran and provide the necessary support to these activists.`
Produced by: Yosra Moazinezhad