Concerns raised Over Continued Use of Repressive Tactics in Iran
Reports have emerged indicating that Parisa Darvish, a young woman from Mashhad, has been forcibly disappeared since early February 2025. According to credible but unofficial sources, she was arrested by agents of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and transferred to an undisclosed location. However, no Iranian security or judicial authority has officially acknowledged responsibility for her arrest or detention.
Parisa Darvish, approximately 30 years old and a homemaker, has not been seen or heard from since the early days of February. Her family and relatives have no information regarding her whereabouts, physical condition, or legal status.
Continued Use of Enforced Disappearance as a Tool of Repression
Enforced disappearance is a grave human rights violation recognized by international bodies, including the United Nations, as a crime against humanity. In Iran, this method has a long-standing history of being used to silence dissent and instill fear among the public.
The abduction of Parisa Darvish in Mashhad is emblematic of the continuing use of this practice by Iranian security agencies. Over the past decades, many individuals—including civil society activists, protesters, and even ordinary citizens—have been arrested without a judicial warrant and held in secret detention facilities for prolonged periods. During such detentions, individuals often face extreme psychological pressure, incommunicado detention, denial of access to legal counsel, coercive interrogations, and forced confessions.
Family’s Efforts Met with Silence
Parisa Darvish’s family has made repeated attempts over recent weeks to obtain information about her fate by contacting law enforcement and security agencies in Mashhad. These efforts, however, have been met with complete silence from the authorities. The absence of official responses has intensified concerns about the legality of her detention and the possibility of mistreatment.
