Qarchak Prison in Varamin has, in the summer of 2025, become a grim symbol of systematic human rights violations in Iran. Dozens of female political prisoners are enduring conditions that exceed the limits of human tolerance. Credible and documented reports from inside this prison paint a horrifying picture of the compounded suffering of women behind bars: prolonged power outages, unbearable heat, lack of sanitary and medical facilities, and inhumane living conditions.
Power Outages in Extreme Heat
In recent weeks, electricity in the hall housing female political prisoners has been cut for up to five hours during the hottest part of the day. With no cooling equipment, not even a single fan, in a closed space without windows or ventilation, the area has turned into a burning furnace. This place, ironically named a “club,” is currently being used to detain women transferred from the women’s ward of Evin Prison. However, even the most basic human standards are not observed.
Women Surrounded by Heat, Illness, and Neglect
The health and hygiene situation of the prisoners is in crisis. Only three toilets and three showers are available for dozens of women. There is not enough water for drinking, washing, or bathing. The sewage area in the prison yard is contaminated and infested with rats and insects. In such an environment, women—many of them elderly, ill, and deprived of medical care—are forced to spend their days.
Some of the women in critical physical condition include:
- Azar Karvandi: Suffering from heart and hearing problems, with no medical attention.
- Moloud Safaei: Diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia and severe vision loss; urgently needs treatment.
- Raheleh Rahimpour: An elderly woman with mobility impairment, denied medical care.
These women, like many others, are denied access to medication, medical furlough, and basic health services. There is no trusted physician, no emergency care, not even the most basic medicines.
Violent Transfer from Evin to Qarchak
Following a violent raid by security forces on the women’s ward of Evin Prison on June 22, 2025, over 60 female political prisoners were suddenly and forcefully transferred to Qarchak Prison. The transfer occurred without prior notice and without allowing them to gather their personal belongings. After the transfer, their access to medical care, sanitary facilities, library resources, and communication with their families has been severely restricted or completely cut off.
Qarchak: A Symbol of Silent Torture
Qarchak Prison has long been notorious for its catastrophic conditions. However, with the forced transfer of political prisoners, the situation has grown drastically worse. Today, this facility has become a symbol of silent torture—not through beatings, but through heat, stench, lack of treatment, and structural neglect.
