Evin Women’s Prison is one of the main centers for the suppression of dissident women and political activists in Iran. Located in the northwest of Tehran, this prison has long been a symbol of systematic human rights violations and the repression of opponents. Among the female prisoners held there, a significant number are elderly women, those suffering from serious illnesses, and mothers imprisoned with their children.
Currently, more than ten political prisoners over the age of 60 are being held in this prison. Among them is Raheleh Rahimpour, 72, a member of the families seeking justice, who is imprisoned solely for her efforts to uncover the truth and achieve justice. Many of these women suffer from severe and chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, brain tumors, and diabetes. However, not only are they denied medical services, but they are also subjected to additional government pressure.
Among these prisoners, Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi face execution sentences, while Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi have been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Additionally, seven other women have been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. These harsh sentences reflect the extreme repression and the regime’s attempt to silence opposition voices.
Some of the female prisoners, including Azar Koroundi Mousazadeh, Zahra Safaei, and Moloud Safaei, are survivors of the crackdowns of the 1980s. Two of them, Azar Koroundi Mousazadeh and Zahra Safaei, are witnesses to the 1988 mass execution of political prisoners and remain imprisoned for their continued commitment to their ideals.
Additionally, several of these women are mothers, some of whom—such as Shiva Esmaeili and Zahra Safaei—have been arrested alongside their children. These mothers and their children are being held in inhumane conditions, enduring severe physical and psychological pressure. The government has not only deprived these women of their freedom but has also subjected their children to the harshest prison conditions.
Furthermore, seven women from the Sunni minority are also imprisoned in Evin under extremely harsh and inhumane conditions. This group includes one Afghan citizen, two Tajik citizens, one Indian citizen, and one Jordanian citizen. They are held in isolated cells and are deprived of basic human and legal rights. Two of these women have given birth while in prison, yet they are denied even the most basic medical and sanitary facilities for their newborns, and they are not allowed to meet their families.
The situation of female political prisoners in Evin is a clear example of human rights violations and systematic repression in Iran. The international community and human rights organizations must take urgent action to defend these women and end their inhumane conditions.
