Femena expresses deep concern and dismay at the recent imprisonment of eleven women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Gilan province, Iran, and the continued repression of women’s groups in relation to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” (WLF) movement.
Two years after the start of the WLF movement, Iranian security forces continue to target feminist groups, initiatives, and women’s rights defenders.The detention of these women activists in Gilan represents a troubling escalation in the Iranian government’s crackdown on women human rights defenders.These WHRDs emerged as powerful voices during the WLF movement, defending the rights of arrested protesters and their families, and amplifying the fight against the discriminatory compulsory hijab law.
Gilan province, including the city of Rasht, was an epicenter of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. The region experienced widespread arrests, imprisonments, and killings of demonstrators.
Background
The eleven WHRDs were initially detained on August 16, 2023 in the lead up to the anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini’s death in police custody. After their initial sentences were upheld in appeals, they were arrested or summoned to begin serving their prison terms.
On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Zohreh Dadras was arrested at her home in Rasht without prior notice to begin serving her sentence. Later that day, her sister, Zahra Dadras, was detained at the Rasht Office of the Judicial Implementation of Sentences while inquiring about Zohreh’s situation. Zahra, too, had not received any legal notification or summons prior to her arrest.
On July 13, six more WHRDs from Gilan — Jelveh Javaheri, Forough Saminia, Shiva Shahsia, Azadeh Chavoshian, Negin Rezaei, and Matin Yazdani — reported to the same office after being summoned, to begin serving their prison sentences. Matin Yazdani was later granted a temporary release due to health reasons.
Homan Taheri,Yasamin Hashdari and Sara Jahani were subsequently arrested on July 17, July 25 and July 29 respectively, and transferred to Lakan Prison.
The day following their initial detention on August 16 2023, the state-run news outlet Tasnim, which is linked to intelligence agencies, accused the Gilan group of plotting to incite riots, receiving funds meant for victims’ families, and collaborating with foreign media.
Such accusations against civil society activists, particularly those advocating for women’s rights are frequent in Iran. Iranian security forces often use charges such as ‘foreign intelligence links’ and involvement in ‘soft subversion’ to justify the arrest and detention of activists. These charges are frequently vague and lack transparency, raising concerns about the targeting of civil society actors engaged in peaceful human rights advocacy.
Gilan activists, initially released on bail between September 16 and October 1, 2024, from Lakan Prison, faced trial in March 2024 at Branch Three of the Rasht Revolution Court. The court sentenced eleven Gilan activists to a combined total of over 60 years in prison. Their lawyers appealed the sentences, but the appeals court upheld the harsh penalties on May 28, 2024. Zohreh Dadras received the most severe sentence: nine years, six months, and two days. She was charged with “forming a group to act against national security.” Ten other feminist activists, including Forough Saminia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shahsia, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavoshian, and Matin Yazdani, were each sentenced to six years and 47 days in prison for “joining a group to act against national security.” Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri each received one year for “spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic.”
Despite their temporary release, the Gilan activists refused to be silenced. In separate interviews, Zohreh Dadras and Forough Saminia described the violence they endured during their arrests. They alleged that all detainees experienced physical and psychological abuse while in custody, including simulated executions, beatings, and verbal harassment. Reports also indicated instances of sexual harassment and threats of being transferred to a psychiatric hospital.
Lakan Prison in Rasht, where the activists are currently held, is known for its harsh living conditions and inadequate healthcare. During their brief release, the Gilan activists documented the prison’s poor health conditions and lack of facilities on their social media pages, condemning the neglect of prisoners’ rights.
We urge women’s rights defenders worldwide to raise their voices against the repression of women’s rights in Iran. We call on Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the detained Gilan WHRDs and all those imprisoned for peacefully defending human rights.