Marzieh Farsi, a Symbol of Iranian Women’s Resilience

Introduction:

Marzieh Farsi, a 58-year-old, is currently detained in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, one of Iran’s most notorious detention centers. Targeted not only for her political beliefs but also for her unwavering defiance against the oppressive regime, she has endured repeated arrests, torture, and severe sentences. This report, grounded in credible sources and the provided document, sheds light on her dire situation and urges the international community to take immediate action to save her life and those of other female political prisoners in Iran.

A Life Defined by Resistance: Resilient and Steadfast

Marzieh Farsi, born in 1967 in Tehran, is a high school graduate, married, and a mother of several children. Her life is marked by profound suffering: from the execution of her brother, Hassan Farsi, during the 1988 massacre of political prisoners to multiple arrests and brutal interrogations. Despite battling cancer and heart disease, she remains one of Iran’s most resilient female political prisoners. Two of her sisters and a brother are active members of the People’s Mujahedin (MEK) in Ashraf 3, a connection that has fueled the regime’s relentless persecution of her.

Relentless Arrests: A Cycle of Repression

Marzieh Farsi has faced the bitter reality of detention since 2019:

• February 2019: Security forces raided her home in Shahr-e Rey, ransacking everything and confiscating personal items, including her computer, mobile phone, and family photo albums. Her husband, children, brother, and other family members were also arrested. Marzieh was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison and later to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Charged with “collaboration with the MEK,” she was sentenced to five years in prison, later reduced to three years and nine months after agreeing to the verdict.
• August 2023: On the eve of the 2022 nationwide protests’ anniversary, Marzieh, alongside Forough Taghipour, was arrested and taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. This detention was part of a broader crackdown on political activists ahead of the uprising’s commemoration.
• Unjust Conviction: On February 14, 2024, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Marzieh and Forough Taghipour to 15 years in prison each on charges of “rebellion” (baghi) and “association with the MEK.” The trial was held in absentia, as both prisoners refused to recognize the legitimacy of the regime’s court.

Torture in Detention: An Attempt to Break Her Spirit

Iran’s prisons, particularly Qarchak Varamin and Evin, are infamous for their inhumane conditions and systematic torture. Marzieh Farsi has faced various forms of abuse:

• Physical and Psychological Torture: During her 2019 detention, she endured intense interrogations and torture. Reports indicate she faced threats, insults, and was denied contact with her family.
• Inhumane Conditions: Qarchak Prison, often called “hell” or “Kahrizak II,” lacks basic sanitation. Prisoners bathe with cold water and are exposed to dangerous diseases. Marzieh contracted COVID-19 in Qarchak and was left without treatment.

Critical Health Condition: A Life Hanging in the Balance

Marzieh Farsi was undergoing cancer treatment before her arrests, but repeated detentions and prison conditions have disrupted her care. Reports from April 1, 2025, indicate:

• She suffers from persistent dizziness, excruciating headaches, and heart pain.
• Doctors have confirmed her heart condition, yet prison authorities refuse to transfer her to a hospital or provide essential medications.
• The lack of adequate medical care places her life at serious risk. This denial constitutes torture and violates Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment).

Defiance Against Oppression: A Voice That Persists

Despite prolonged imprisonment, torture, and illness, Marzieh Farsi remains unbowed. Alongside other female political prisoners, such as Forough Taghipour and Zahra Safaei, she has participated in campaigns like “Tuesdays Against Execution,” demonstrating an indomitable spirit. Her resilience, and that of other female prisoners, has thwarted the regime’s efforts to crush dissent.

Family Tragedy: A Pain Beyond Prison Walls

Marzieh Farsi’s life is intertwined with familial tragedies:

• The execution of her brother, Hassan Farsi, in the 1988 massacre.
• The death of her mother on December 25, 2024, while Marzieh was in prison, unable to attend her funeral.
• The arrest and harassment of other family members, including her husband and children, during security raids.

These losses have added profound layers of grief to her ordeal.

A Call for Justice: Urgent Action Needed

Marzieh Farsi’s situation is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention. We call on international human rights organizations, UN Special Rapporteurs, Amnesty International, and media committed to justice to:

• Pressure the Iranian Regime: Demand the immediate release of Marzieh Farsi and other political prisoners, especially women with critical health conditions.
• International Investigations: Probe the inhumane conditions in Iran’s prisons, particularly Evin and Qarchak, and condemn human rights abuses.
• Access to Medical Care: Ensure Marzieh’s immediate access to medical treatment and transfer to a hospital.
• Support for Families: Provide assistance to families of political prisoners facing harassment and persecution.
• Global Awareness: Amplify Marzieh’s story and those of other female prisoners to draw international attention to their plight.

Conclusion: Marzieh Farsi, a Beacon of Hope in Darkness

Marzieh Farsi is more than a political prisoner; she is a symbol of the courage of Iranian women standing against a misogynistic and religious dictatorship. Her voice, resounding from behind Evin’s walls, is a clarion call for justice and freedom. The international community has a moral duty to heed this call and act to save her life and those of other political prisoners. Silence in the face of such injustice is complicity in the crime.