Massoumeh Senobari, A Political Prisoner in Solitude, A Forgotten Story
Introduction:
This report examines the dire situation of Massoumeh Senobari, an Iranian political prisoner, with a particular emphasis on her complete isolation and the alarming absence of information regarding her current status. Since December 2022, Ms. Senobari, born in 1988/1989 in Tabriz and a mother to a young daughter, has been held in solitary confinement at Fardis Prison (Kachouei) in Karaj, Iran.
History: A Legacy of Repeated Suppression
Massoumeh Senobari is a political activist who has faced multiple arrests due to her support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) and her criticism of the Islamic Republic’s regime.
- Previous Arrests:
- March 6, 2019: Arrested in Tabriz, Ms. Senobari was subjected to severe torture, including blows to the head causing blurred vision, a fractured leg, and a cracked heel. She was released in August 2019 on a 600 million-toman bail pending trial.
- February 5, 2020: Re-arrested at her sister’s home in Tabriz, she endured further torture. In October 2020, she contracted COVID-19 while in detention and was eventually released in early 2021.
- Previous Conviction: Ms. Senobari was previously sentenced to eight years in prison on charges including “propaganda against the state” and “insulting the Supreme Leader,” which she served in Tabriz Central Prison.
- Current Arrest:
- December 13, 2022: Arrested in Karaj, she was transferred to Fardis Prison on January 4, 2023, after 40 days of interrogation.
- Conviction: On February 14, 2023, Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced her to nine years in prison for charges including “collaboration against national security through PMOI membership,” “propaganda against the state via participation in illegal gatherings,” and “distributing images of PMOI leaders.” Notably, her sentence mandates complete solitary confinement for the duration of her imprisonment.
Current Conditions: Trapped in Isolation, Enduring Psychological Torture
As of the latest available information from January 2024, Massoumeh Senobari remains in solitary confinement in the women’s ward of Fardis Prison, Karaj, specifically in the quarantine section. Her conditions are as follows:
- Solitary Confinement: For over two years, Ms. Senobari has been held in complete isolation, a condition widely recognized as psychological torture. She is prohibited from any contact with other prisoners and is allowed only one hour of fresh air every few days, during which other inmates are removed from the courtyard to ensure her total isolation.
- Restricted Family Contact: Her communication with family is severely limited, restricted to three-minute phone calls under the supervision of intelligence officers. She is not permitted to dial numbers herself, and calls are terminated if her family speaks in Turkish, her native language.
- Living Conditions: Ms. Senobari is deprived of basic prisoner rights, including access to a library, education, or cultural activities, rendering her detention conditions inhumane.
These conditions, ongoing since December 2022, violate international standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which deems prolonged solitary confinement as torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Health in Peril: Ailing and Alone, Denied Medical Care
Massoumeh Senobari suffers from serious health issues, exacerbated by the lack of access to medical care:
- Cardiac Issues: She has a documented heart condition, yet prison authorities have repeatedly denied her access to medications provided by her family.
- Suspected Cancer: Ms. Senobari is suspected of having a cancerous tumor in her breast, but prison officials have blocked diagnostic tests and treatment, despite her family’s willingness to cover costs.
- Physical Injuries from Torture: She continues to suffer from injuries sustained during prior detentions, including a fractured leg, a cracked heel, and blurred vision.
- COVID-19 Infection: In October 2020, while detained in Tabriz Central Prison, she contracted COVID-19, experiencing severe symptoms such as high fever, persistent cough, lung pain, and body aches, but was denied adequate medical care or medical leave.
- Recent Injuries: She paid approximately one million toman for treatment of a hand injury, yet authorities have prevented her transfer to a hospital for care.
Given her prolonged isolation and lack of medical attention, concerns about the deterioration of her physical and mental health are acute, constituting a violation of her right to life and health as protected under the Convention against Torture (CAT).
Recent Developments: A Desperate Act amid Relentless Pressure
On May 14, 2023, overwhelmed by psychological pressure and ongoing torture, Massoumeh Senobari attempted suicide by cutting her wrist. This desperate act underscores the unbearable conditions she faces and heightens concerns about her mental health. The incident, combined with the lack of information since January 2024, paints a grim picture of her current circumstances.
Absence of Information: Lost in the System, Where is Massoumeh?
Since January 2024, no official or verified information about Massoumeh Senobari’s status has been released, as of April 19, 2025. This prolonged silence, coupled with her serious health issues and recent suicide attempt, is deeply alarming. The lack of transparency may indicate a worsening of her condition and further violations of her rights. Her complete isolation has effectively rendered her invisible, raising urgent questions about her well-being.
Human Rights Violations: A Case of Systematic Repression
Massoumeh Senobari’s case exemplifies severe human rights violations, including:
- Prolonged Solitary Confinement: Contrary to international standards, her extended isolation constitutes psychological torture.
- Denial of Medical Care: The refusal to provide treatment for serious conditions violates her right to life and health.
- Unfair Trial: Her conviction was based on political charges without adherence to international fair trial standards.
- Torture and Physical Harm: Previous reports document torture during her detentions, resulting in lasting injuries.
- Lack of Transparency: The absence of current information reflects Iran’s failure to ensure accountability for political prisoners’ treatment.
Call to Action: Break the Silence, Demand Justice for Massoumeh Senobari
Given the grave and uncertain situation of Massoumeh Senobari, international human rights organizations and bodies must urgently undertake the following actions:
- Demand Transparency: Press the Iranian government to provide comprehensive and verified information about her current status, including her physical and mental health.
- Ensure Medical Access: Guarantee that she receives immediate and adequate medical care without restrictions.
- Call for Immediate Release: Advocate for her unconditional release, as her detention is politically motivated rather than criminal.
- Hold Authorities Accountable: Ensure Iranian officials are held responsible for human rights violations against Ms. Senobari and other political prisoners.
Conclusion: Hear Her Voice
Massoumeh Senobari’s case is a stark example of the systematic repression of critics and activists in Iran. Her complete isolation, the absence of information, and the ongoing human rights violations she endures demand urgent international attention and action. This report calls on human rights bodies, including the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, to exert pressure on the Iranian government to uphold her rights and secure her release from these inhumane conditions.
