Introduction:
Women human rights defenders in Iran have played a pivotal role in continuing the struggle for freedom and equality following the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. While protests may have quieted on the streets, their spirit persists in the daily resilience and resistance of Iranian women, both inside and outside prison walls. Despite facing suppression from security forces, imprisonment, and ongoing threats and interrogations, these women human rights defenders preserve in their fight against oppression and discrimination.
In this report, Femena sheds light on the plight of women human rights defenders currently imprisoned in Iran. This includes women and girls dedicated to advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and justice as well as those championing broader human rights issues aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN’s definition of human rights defenders encompasses not only those who explicitly identify as such but also members of civil society and individuals working in non-traditional human rights fields such as journalists, healthcare providers, environmental defenders and peace activists. .
Despite the international recognition of the vital role played by human rights defenders, as articulated in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted in 1998, these defenders face significant threats and risks. Governments are not only obligated to refrain from obstructing the work of rights defenders but also encouraged to facilitate it.
In this report, published following the publication of the findings of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, we aim to spotlight the names, accusations and penalties faced by women human rights defenders. While some of their stories are detailed in the report “Imprisoned in Evin for Defending Rights” published by Femena on November 29, 2023, others will be further elaborated upon in future Femena publications. It’s important to note that the number of women political prisoners in Iran exceeds the names listed in this report. This report focuses solely on those who can be identified as WHRDs currently serving prison terms. Further, a few of those listed here, are currently on furlough or temporary release. Only those whose furloughs or temporary releases commenced less than 6 months ago have been listed among imprisoned WHRDs, as it is quite likely that they will be returned to prison to serve their sentence. Those WHRDs who began their furloughs over 6 months ago, have not been listed here, as it is our hope that the furloughs will lead to permanent release for them.
1. Anisha Asadollahi – Labor Activist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date*: May 12, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
2. Armita Paveer – Student Activist
Sentence: Twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment
Charges: Insulting the supreme leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: June 28, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Tabriz Prison
3. Bahahreh Hedayat – Political Activist
Sentence: Four years of imprisonment
Charges: Gathering and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country by organizing a protest following the downing of the Ukrainian plane by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)
Case date: February 10, 2020
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
4. Elaheh Mohammadi – Journalist
Sentence: Twelve years of imprisonment with the most severe punishment being six years, along with being prohibited from participating in political groups and having restrictions on her social media and media-related activities.
Charges: Collaboration with an adversarial country, the USA , assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: September 29, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison (temporarily released on bail)
5. Elham Choubdar – LGBTQ Activist
Sentence: Three years of imprisonment
Charges: Propagating homosexuality, Christianity, and collaborating with opposition parties.
Case date: January 16, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Urmiya Prison
6. Faezeh Hashemi – Political Activist
Sentence: Five years in prison
Charges: Propaganda against the state and insulting sanctities
Case date: September 27, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
7. Fariba Kamalabadi – Bahai Leader
Sentence: Ten years in prison
Charges: Forming and leading groups to act against national security
Case date: July 31, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
9. Fatemeh Sepehri – Political Activist
Sentence: Eighteen years of imprisonment, with the most severe punishment being ten years
Charges: Collaboration with hostile foreign government, assembly and collusion against national security, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: September 21, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
10. Fatemeh Tadrisi – Teacher
Sentence: Six years in prison in initial court
Charges: Inciting people to violence, engaging in propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader,and forming groups to act against national security
Case date: August 27, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Kachouei Prison- Karaj
11. Golrokh Iraee – Civil Activist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment, prohibited from joining political and civil groups, Restricted from staying in Tehran, barred from leaving the country for two years, and had her cell phone confiscated.
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime, and disturbing public order.
Case date: September 26, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
12. Hajar Saeidi – Labor Activist
Sentence: One year of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security
Case date: May 18, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Sanandaj Correction and Rehabilitation Center
13. Jila Hojabri – Political Activist
Sentence: Three years and eight months
Charges: Disobeying a state official, membership in opposition groups, and propaganda against the state.
Case date: August 2022
Place of imprisonment: Sanandaj Correction and Rehabilitation Center
13. Mahnaz Tarah – Civil Activist
Sentence: Four years and Four months imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit a crime, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: November 13, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
14. Mahvash Shahriari – Bahai Leader
Sentence: Ten Years of imprisonment
Charges: Forming and leading groups to act against national security.
Case date: July 31, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
15. Maryam Akbari Monfared – Civil Activist/Seeker of Justice*
Sentence: Fifteen years of imprisonment / Also sentenced to three years in a new case
Charges: “Moharebeh” by having connection with Mojahedin-e-Khalgh group, and propaganda against the state.
Case date: December 31, 2009
Place of imprisonment: Semnan Prison
16. Maryam Darysi – Civil Activist
Sentence: One year and three months
Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, Propaganda against the regime.
Case date: October 15, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Home (Released under electronic monitoring)
17. Maryam Jalal Hosseini – Teacher
Sentence: Seven years in prison in initial court
Charges: Inciting people to violence, engaging in propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader, and forming groups to act against national security.
Case date: August 27, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Kachouei Prison- Karaj
18. Maryam Sadat Yahyavi – Political Activist
Sentence: One year of imprisonment
Charges: Propaganda against the regime.
Case date: November 2014
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
19. Masoumeh Akbari – Civil Activist
Sentence: Two years of imprisonment
Charges: Gathering and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country and propaganda activity against the regime.
Case date: 2018
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
20. Mojgan Bagheri – Teachers’ Union Activist in Fars Province
Sentence: Two years of imprisonment (Released under electronic monitoring)
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country.
Case date: May 22, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Home (Released under electronic monitoring)
21. Mojgan Kavousi – Civil Activist
Sentence: Thirty nine months in prison
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country.
Case date: September 22, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Tonekabon Prison
22. Nahaleh Shahidi Yazdi – Child Rights Activist
Sentence: Still in detention
Charges: Propaganda against the state, and forming and leading groups to act against national security.
Case date: March 23, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Kerman Prison
23. Nahid Khodajoo – Labor Activist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment and seventy four lashes
Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security, and disturbing public order and peace.
Case date: May 1, 2019
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
24. Nahid Shirpisheh – Civil Activist/Seeker of Justice
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: July 11, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Zanjan Prison
25. Nahid Taghavi – Labor Activist
Sentence: Ten years and eight months of imprisonment
Charges: Participating in the management of an illegal group, and propaganda activities against the state.
Case date: October 17, 2020
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
26. Narges Mansouri – Civil Activist and Member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran Bus Company
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment and three years in new case
Charges: Gathering and colluding against national security and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: 2019
News sentence date: Feb 2024
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
27. Narges Mohammadi – Human Rights Activist
Sentence: Twelve years and eight months imprisonment
Charges: Propaganda activities against the regime through issuing statements, disrupting prison order through sit-ins, defying prison leadership and authorities, damaging glasses, and Slander.
Case date: November 16, 2021
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
28. Nasim Soltanbeigi – Journalist and Human Rights Activist
Sentence: Three years and six months of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: January 22, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison (currently on medical leave)
29. Nasrin Hasani – Journalist
Sentence: Seven Months of imprisonment
Charges: Spreading false news
Case date: September 3, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Bojnourd Prison
30. Nasrin Javadi – Labor Activist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment ,74 lashes, banning the use of smartphones and banning membership in political and social parties and group
Charges: Gathering and colluding to act against the security of the country, propaganda against the regime, and disturbance in public order.
Case date: May 1, 2019
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
31. Niloufar Bayani – Environmental Activist
Sentence: Ten years of imprisonment
Charges: Collaborating with the hostile government of the United States.
Case date: February 2018
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
32. Niloofar Hamedi – Journalist
Sentence: Thirteen years of imprisonment, with the most severe punishment being seven years, prohibited from participating in political groups, and having restrictions on her social media and media-related activities.
Charges: Collaboration with an adversarial country, the USA, assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: September 22, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison (temporarily released on bail)
33. Raha Pour-Ebrahim – Civil Activist
Sentence: Three years of imprisonment
Charges: Propaganda against the regime, and virtual activities aimed at disrupting public order.
Case date: September 7, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Vakil Abad Prison- Mashhad
34. Raoufeh Mirbagheri – Women’s Rights Activist
Sentence: Eight months in prison
Charges: Propaganda against the regime.
Case date: October 26, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Shahsavar Prison
35. Rahleh Rahemi Pour – Civil Activist/Seeker of Justice
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: November 12, 2019
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
36. Reyhaneh Ansari Nejad – Labor Activist
Sentence: Four years of imprisonment, and prohibited from leaving the country, joining political and civil groups, and engaging in online and media activities for two years
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security and Acting against national security.
Case date: May 12, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
37. Rezvaneh Ahmad Khan Beigi – Civil Activist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment, with the most severe punishment being four years.
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: September 18, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
38. Saeedeh Shafiei – Journalist and Human Rights Activist
Sentence: Three years and six months of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: January 22, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison (currently on medical leave)
39. Samaneh Asghari- Children Rights Activist
Sentence: One year of imprisonment
Case date: September 14, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
40. Sanaz Tafazoli – Civil Activist
Sentence: Ten years and nine months
Charges: Collusion against security, leading a group with the intent to disrupt national security, and engaging in propaganda against the regime.
Case date: November 22, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Vakil Abad Prison- Mashhad
41. Sarvenaz Ahmadi – Child Rights Activist
Sentence: Three years and six months imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: April 28, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
42. Sedighe Vasmaghi – Scholar and Activist
Sentence: In detention
Charges: Propaganda against the system in cyberspace and public appearances without Shari’a-compliant hijab.
Case date: 17/03/2024
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
43. Sepideh Kashani – Environmental Activist
Sentence: Six years in Prison
Charges: Collaborating with the hostile government of the United States.
Case date: February 2018
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
44. Sepideh Qolian – Civil Activist
Sentence: Three years and six months imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: April 28, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
45. Sharifeh Mohammadi – Women’s Rights Activist
Sentence: In detention
Charges: Not specified
Case date: November 25, 2023
Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht
46. Soha Mortezaei – Labor Union/Civil Activist
Sentence: Six years of imprisonment , and two-year ban on membership in political parties, groups, and gatherings
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to act against national security.
Case date: November 2019
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
47. Tina Deljoo – Civil Activist
Sentence: One year of imprisonment
Charges: Propaganda against the regime.
Case date: January 29, 2024
Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison- Rasht Province
48. Vida Rabbani – Journalist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment, and banned from practicing journalism and engaging in political activities.
Charges: Blasphemy, and assembly and collusion to act against national security.
Case date: November 23, 2020
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
49. Zahra Esfandiari – Teacher
Sentence: Two years
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country.
Case date: May 22, 2022
Place of imprisonment: Home (Released under electronic monitoring)
50. Zeinab Hamrang Seyed Baglou – Labor Union/Civil Activist
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment
Sentence: Five years of imprisonment
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.
Case date: March 11, 2024
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
*Case dates indicate the date the cases was initiated against the WHRD, including by the judiciary or security forces.
*Family members of those killed by security forces during protests, in detention or in prison, those killed as a result of extra judicial executions or targeted assassinations, or families of those forcibly disappeared and presumed dead, have for years been a major force in advocating for the rights of their loved ones and for state accountability on rights violations in general. They are commonly referred to as “Justice Seeking Families” or “Khanevadeh-ye Dadkhah.” Nahid Shirpisheh’s son, Pouya Bakhtiari, was killed during protests in 2019.