CRY FREEDOM.net
formerly known as
Women's Liberation Front
'Insight is the first step of resistance against any ideologic form of dictatorial and misogynistic oppression'

Tribute to KIAN PIRFALA, 9 years old and victim of the Islamic Republic's savagery 10 years ago.

'Women's Arab Spring 1.2'
Updated Jan. 18, 2025
Special reports about the Afghanistan Women Revolt and more
Updated Jan 22, 2025

Syria: the Fall of Assad and aftermath
Updates Jan 23,2025

PALESTINE
Updated Jan 22, 2025

HAIL TO THE IRANIAN WOMEN'S REVOLUTIONISTS FALLEN FOR FREDOM
against the supreme leader, the arch-reactionary Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, and his placeman president. The message of the women when the former president visited a university was plain: <give way or get lost> in 2023 and still is.
IN MEMORY OF ASRA PANAHI (16)- JINA MAMINI (22) - NIKA SHAKARAMI (16), SARINA ESMAILZADEH (16) HADIS NAJAFI (20), AND MORE WOMEN WHO WERE ASSASINATED SO FAR BY THE IRANIAN AXIS OF EVIL.
  Click here for a total list so far

(Updates January 24, 2025) z

UPDATES OF THE UPRISING  AND REVOLUTION AROUND THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF JINA AMINI IN CUSTODY OF THE REGIME'S ATTEMPT AND CRUELTY TO TRY AND CRUSH IT.

This links to a page that is in full dedicated and a tribute to Jina Amini who, with stilll 'till today too many other sisters gave their life for freedom. Long live a long and free Iran And do read also the above linked  incredible December 2023 update! despite the mullahs' regime to force it down! Her mother speaks out loud and clear UPDATED: September 29 - 16, 2024 Second Anniversary of Jina Amini's state-sanctioned murder incl. Commemorating Bloody Friday and earlier news about a wave of arrests of her fellow-citizen

We all grief for the loss of our sister / daughter of Iran Armita Gevarnand:   Read her updated story here

'War against the No-hijabi women' Update Dec. 20, 2024: Iranian Women Rise Against the New Hijab Law with the Slogan "Woman, Resistance, Freedom" Nov. 13, 2024: hijab-torture clinics

Earlier Stories and more

MARJAM AKBARI MONFARED June 24, 2024: The Iranian Regime Judiciary Launches a New Case to Seize the Assets of Maryam Akbari Monfared and Her Family, in Revenge for Seeking Justice for Her Siblings Executed in the 1980s Click the above for also earlier news

January 8, 2025 - December 28 - 4, 2024
Sisters 4 each other, Sisters 4 All
in continuation of the below resistence of the 3 sisters

When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
Gino d'Artali
and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.

Rise more for the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' uprisall.

Narges Mohammadi
Iranwire - January 23, 2024
<<Narges Mohammadi Calls for Criminalization of Gender Apartheid
Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has urged French legislators to criminalize gender apartheid in a virtual address from Tehran.
“Fighting gender apartheid is not merely a struggle for women’s liberation from systemic oppression; it is an essential step toward achieving democracy, peace, and justice. One cannot oppress and enslave half of society while speaking of democracy, freedom, and equality,” she said.
Mohammadi denounced the regime’s escalating repression, focusing on the death sentences against political prisoners Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi. “The Iranian regime is exacting revenge on women for the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement. Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi, detained in Evin Prison’s women’s ward, now face the looming threat of execution. The regime wields the noose as a tool of terror to break the resolve of Iran’s brave and conscientious women,” she added. Mohammadi, a prominent human rights activist, was temporarily released from prison in December. The Tehran prosecutor’s office suspended her sentence based on a forensic medical opinion following her recent surgery to remove a tumor and undergo a bone graft. She urged the French Parliament, Senate, and the broader international community to adopt “a resolute stance” on human rights in any negotiations with the Islamic Republic. “Make human rights a prerequisite and the central focus of all negotiations,” she said. “To stop the ever-increasing executions and to achieve human rights and women’s rights, put pressure on the Islamic Republic. Prioritize international mechanisms such as universal jurisdiction to hold regime officials accountable, rather than normalizing a regime responsible for crimes against humanity.”>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/women/138430-narges-mohammadi-calls-for-criminalization-of-gender-apartheid/


Nian Chelabiani
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 24, 2025
<<Protests spark in Bukan following rape and murder of 7-year-old child
People gathered in front of the governor's office in Bukan to protest the rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl identified as Nian Chelabiani.
News Center- On Friday, hundreds of people in Bukan, a city in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, gathered in front of the governor’s office in the city to protest the rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl identified as Nian Chelabiani. On January 17, Nian Chelabiani was taken to the Hospital of Bukan after being sexually assaulted and beaten by her stepmother’s brother. However, she died at the hospital.>>
Video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/protests-spark-in-bukan-following-rape-and-murder-of-7-year-old-child-36405?page=1


Pakhshan Azizi: A symbol of resistance
Medyanews - January 23, 2025
<<Pakhshan Azizi: A symbol of resistance in ongoing struggle for Kurdish and Iranian women’s freedom
Zilan Vejin, the former co-chair of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) and a prominent political figure, recently authored an article for the Firat News Agency, shedding light on the extraordinary resistance of Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish civil activist sentenced to death by the Iranian regime. Vajin emphasised the critical need to amplify support for Azizi, whose unwavering defiance stands as a testament to the relentless fight for justice.
In her article, published a day before the general strike in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) on Firat News Agency, Zilan Vejin, the former co-chair of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) and a prominent women political figure, examines the broader resistance of Kurdish and Iranian women against the oppressive Islamic Republic of Iran. She underscores Pakhshan Azizi’s unwavering defiance, portraying her as a symbol of women’s resistance and a leading figure in the women’s scouting movement. Vejin further highlights the critical role of civil society organisations, particularly the “Mothers of Peace” in Sanandaj (Sine), Iranian Kurdistan, in mobilising and sustaining resistance.
In this context, Vejin writes: “The steadfast stance of the ‘Mothers of Peace’ in Sanandaj proves that no amount of state oppression can suppress the voices and demands of women and civil society in Iranian Kurdistan. Society has reached a level of awareness that defies injustice and refuses to bow to tyranny. These values have become the bedrock of the collective democratic struggle of the Iranian people, especially women.” Zilan Vejin highlights the unwavering defiance of women like Pakhshan Azizi, Warisheh Moradi, and Golrokh Iraei within the oppressive confines of Iranian prisons. She argues that their resistance against patriarchal and religious oppression has simultaneously struck fear into the Iranian regime and ignited a wave of inspiration among women. According to Vejin, their courage has radicalised the struggle for equality and justice, further energising the movement for liberation and change.
The uprising of Jin, Jiyan, Azadi
Reflecting on the impacts of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising, Vejin contends that this movement has transformed collective anger and grief into an unyielding struggle against the Iranian regime. She argues that the core values embedded in this slogan, championed by women, have left an indelible mark on the Iranian political landscape. These values, Vejin believes, will serve as guiding principles for the region’s future, etched permanently into the collective consciousness of society.
A vision for the future
In the context of rising tensions between Iran and Western nations, coupled with fears of a potential “Syrianisation” of Iran, Vejin underscores the critical role of women in shaping the future of Iran and Kurdistan’s political future. She asserts that a democratic Iran cannot be built upon patriarchal, nationalist, or religious ideologies. Instead, the progressive vision of women like Zeyneb Jalalian, Warisheh Moradi, and Pakhshan Azizi—anchored in the philosophy of “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi”—presents a pathway toward a more equitable and inclusive future.
Solidarity and collective action
Vejin draws attention to the arrest of Ahou Daryaei, a Persian women student at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University, whose defiance against patriarchal norms exemplifies the growing resistance among women. However, she cautions that individual acts of bravery must evolve into collective movements to achieve lasting change. Vejin urges for greater solidarity and widespread organisation among women to dismantle the regime’s oppressive structures.
Pakhshan Azizi: A beacon of resistance
Vejin reflects on Azizi’s personal struggle and her writings from prison, describing them as a manifesto of the shared identity and resistance of Kurdish and Iranian women. Azizi’s words, Vojin argues, encapsulate the unspoken pain and resilience of countless women—those silenced during interrogations, executed without trial, or killed and forgotten. In conclusion, Vejin asserts that figures such as Zeynab Jalalian, Warisheh Moradi, and especially Pakhshan Azizi, embody not only the struggles of Kurdish women but also the collective suffering and defiance of women across the Middle East. Their legacies, she argues, illuminate the path toward solidarity, democracy, and the abolition of executions. For Vejin, Azizi stands as a symbol of Kurdish women’s enduring resistance and a trailblazer in the fight for freedom—a cultural icon whose influence transcends borders.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/pakhshan-azizi-a-symbol-of-resistance-in-ongoing-struggle-for-kurdish-and-iranian-womens-freedom/

Pakhshan Azizi and Varisha Moradi
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 24, 2025
<<Hannah Neumann: Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi embody everything this regime fears
“Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi embody everything this regime fears,” said Hannah Neumann, member of the European Parliament, stressing that these two women would be heroes in a normal country.
News Center- Hannah Neumann, member of the European Parliament and Chair for the Delegation for relations with Iran, posted a message on the social media platform X on Thursday about the death sentences handed down to Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh Moradi. In the message, Hannah Neumann called for the death sentences handed down to the two Kurdish women to be stopped and said, “Pakhshan Azizi cared for the wounded and displaced in Rojava, helping those fleeing from the brutality of ISIS. Verisheh Moradi fought against ISIS herself on the front lines in Kobane, defending not only lives but also human dignity. “In a normal country, these two would be heroes. In Iran, they face death row. For the first time in years, the regime threatens to execute women political prisoners. And these death sentences are nothing but acts of revenge. Revenge by the Islamic regime against women, against Kurds and against the ideals of Woman Life Freedom: self-determination and bravery. Revenge because so many still dare to speak out - and the only response this regime knows is to crush dissent by brutal force. Yes, the henchmen of this regime can imprison people, but this will only amplify the unstoppable call for freedom. Pakhshan and Verisheh embody everything this regime fears; Jin, Jiyan, Azadi.”>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/hannah-neumann-pakhshan-azizi-and-verisheh-moradi-embody-everything-this-regime-fears-36407
Actual supportive reports: January 21 - 20, 2025
Previous reports: January 11 - 9, 2025
Imminent Risk of Execution of Pakhshan Azizi because "I'm Kurdish, I'm a woman"

No to the Islamic Republic of Executioners!


Sohaila Motaei
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 23, 2025
<<Women’s rights activist Sohaila Motaei arrested in Dehgolan
Sohaila Moraei was arrested in the city of Dehgolan on Wednesday for taking part in the general strike observed in Eastern Kurdistan to protest the death sentences handed down to Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi.
News Center- A general strike was observed across Eastern Kurdistan on Wednesday to protest the death sentences handed down to two Kurdish political prisoners, Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha (Verisheh) Moradi. Sohaila Moraei, a women’s rights activist, was arrested in the city of Dehgolan on Wednesday for taking part in the general strike, Kolbarnews reported.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/women-s-rights-activist-sohaila-motaei-arrested-in-dehgolan-36396

Medyanews - January 22, 2025
<<Kurds mobilise in historic strike against death sentences for Azizi and Moradi
Kurds across Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) staged a landmark general strike on 22 January to protest the death sentences of activists Pakhshan Azizi and Warisheh Moradi. The movement, called by six political parties, has triggered widespread solidarity and resistance.
Kurds in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) united in an unprecedented general strike on 22 January, demanding the revocation of death sentences handed to Kurdish activists Pakhshan Azizi and Warisheh Moradi. The strike, initiated by six political parties and supported by independent figures, has demonstrated extraordinary solidarity across the region. The Brussels-based Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) spearheaded the initiative, with major Kurdish political entities—including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), and the three Komala parties, issuing a joint statement. The announcement, made on 18 January, urged unity among Kurds to oppose what they described as the Islamic Republic’s oppressive policies. Images and videos shared widely on social media highlight the breadth of participation, spanning several provinces. Kermanshah (Kermashan) witnessed deserted streets and shuttered shops. In Sanandaj (Sine), the capital of Kurdistan Province, the main markets and public spaces were eerily empty, reflecting near-total compliance with the strike. In Marivan (Merîwan), activists distributed leaflets encouraging participation, while footage captured the strikingly quiet streets. Other cities, including Baneh (Bane), Saqqez (Seqiz)—hometown of women’s rights icon Jina (Mahsa) Amini—Dehgolan (Dewulan), and Divandare (Dîwandere), also observed significant shutdowns. West Azerbaijan Province saw Mahabad (Mehabad) and Bukan (Bokan) join the movement, broadening its geographical impact. The Iranian authorities responded by deploying security forces to monitor the situation, marking closed shops and sealing some businesses. Local sources reported an increased presence of security personnel in affected cities. Prisoners in the women’s ward of Tehran’s Evin Prison also expressed solidarity by launching a hunger strike. Prominent detainee Golrokh Iraei wrote on her X (former Twitter) account: “Female prisoners in Evin, aligned with the 52nd week of the ‘Tuesdays No Execution’ campaign, stand in solidarity with the Kurdistan general strike. We are observing a hunger strike on Tuesday and Thursday.” Meanwhile, an IRGC-affiliated news outlet claimed that Azizi’s execution had been postponed and that her lawyer was pursuing an appeal. The claim has not been independently verified, and Kurdish political parties have criticised it as an attempt to undermine the strike’s impact. This strike marks one of the largest demonstrations of Kurdish solidarity in recent years, highlighting ongoing tensions between the Kurdish population and the Iranian government. The protest reflects growing frustration with what Kurdish leaders describe as systemic oppression and targeted violence.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/kurds-mobilise-in-historic-strike-against-death-sentences-for-azizi-and-moradi/

And other actual news
 
Iranwire - January 24, 2024
<<Two Girls Arrested in Tehran for Filming Dance Video at Iran-Iraq War Memorial
The Islamic Republic's police have arrested two girls in Tehran for filming a dance video at an Iran-Iraq war memorial site. According to Fars News Agency, the girls were detained for filming the video while wearing "inappropriate" clothing and performing movements considered "contrary to social and religious norms." Their Instagram account was subsequently blocked, and they were transferred to judicial authorities. The police information center said that their actions were "disrespectful to the sacred memory of the martyrs of the Sacred Defense," referring to the Iran-Iraq war. It also claimed that the arrests followed public complaints. The identities and current whereabouts of the detainees remain undisclosed.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/women/138462-two-girls-arrested-in-tehran-for-filming-dance-video-at-iran-iraq-war-memorial/

Iranwire - January 24, 2024
<<Iranian Ph.D. Student Summoned to Serve Prison Sentence
Majid Shia-Ali, a Mashhad resident and Ph.D. student at Islamic Azad University, has been summoned to serve a one-year and six-month prison sentence. Shia-Ali was arrested during the 2022 protests and initially sentenced to six years and six months in prison on charges including "membership in groups formed to disrupt national security," "propaganda against the Islamic Republic," and "insulting the Supreme Leader." In April 2023, the Appeals Court reduced his sentence to two years and six months. The new notice, dated January 20, instructs him to report to authorities within 10 days of receiving it. Shia-Ali was arrested in late November 2022 for critical social media posts during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. He previously spent over 40 days in solitary confinement, where he was denied basic prisoner rights.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/news/138463-iranian-phd-student-summoned-to-serve-prison-sentence/


Mohammad Rasoulof
Iranwire - January 24, 2024
<<Iranian Filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s Film Nominated for Oscar
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The film, submitted by Germany, follows an investigative judge in Tehran's Revolutionary Court amid the 2022 protests. Filmed secretly and including real demonstration footage, the movie explores themes of distrust and political tension. Rasoulof previously won the Special Jury Prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The director reached Europe last yaer after being sentenced to eight years in prison, flogging, and property confiscation by the Islamic Republic. Rasoulof’s lawyer, Babak Paknia, explained that the charges stemmed from the director's films and his involvement in a letter urging authorities to stop violence during protests over a deadly building collapse in 2022. "I arrived in Europe a few days ago after a long and complicated journey," Rasoulof said after leaving Iran. Another Iranian project, the animated short "In the Shadow of the Cypress" by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi, is nominated for Best Animated Short Film. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2 in Hollywood.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/society/138451-iranian-filmmaker-mohammad-rasoulofs-film-nominated-for-oscar/


Parastoo Ahmadi
Iranwire - January 24, 2024
<<Watch: Iranian Band Khial Challenges Hijab Laws
The women's music band Khial from western Saqqez has released a Kurdish folk song, performing it without adhering to Iran's mandatory hijab laws. The performance of the song "Yaran" challenges the country’s strict dress code for women. The video has gained widespread attention, adding to the growing trend of artists across Iran who are defying the mandatory hijab regulations. In recent months, many Iranian women artists, musicians, and performers have taken similar actions to voice their opposition to the compulsory headscarf rules. Last month, the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic launched legal proceedings against Parastoo Ahmadi and others involved in an online musical performance. Ahmadi, a singer, held a virtual concert on her YouTube channel, where a small group of musicians accompanied her while she performed without a hijab. This act of defiance, which took place at an Iranian caravanserai, gained significant public praise. However, following a judicial complaint, Ahmadi was briefly arrested.>>
Video: https://iranwire.com/en/women/138449-watch-iranian-band-khial-challenges-hijab-laws/

Iranwire - January 23, 2024
<<11 Baha'i Women Arrested in Iran to Serve Prison Sentences
The Islamic Republic's security forces arrested eleven Baha'i women in central Isfahan on Wednesday and transferred them to prison to serve five-year sentences. The women, including Roya Azadkhosh, Nasrin Khademi, and Mojgan Pourshafi, were sentenced by the 37th Branch of the Isfahan Court of Appeals. Security forces also attempted to arrest Nushin Vojdani at her residence but left upon discovering she was traveling. Reports indicate that agents climbed over the wall of Roya Azadkhosh's home, entered without permission, and detained her. In another incident, agents rang the doorbell of the upper floor of Sanaz Rasteh’s building, entered the premises, and accessed her apartment without prior notice. In addition to prison sentences, the women face further penalties: a fine, a five-year ban on social service, and a two-year travel restriction. The women were initially arrested in April 2021 and temporarily released on bail in May 2021. On Wednesday, they were taken from their homes to begin serving their sentences. For decades, Baha'is in Iran have faced systematic discrimination, as the Islamic Republic does not recognize their faith. The government often accuses Baha'is of espionage or opposition to the regime, but the Baha'i international community maintains that no evidence has been provided to support these claims.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/bahais-of-iran/138423-11-bahai-women-arrested-in-iran-to-serve-prison-sentences/

Iranwire - January 23, 2024
<<Journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian Summoned to Serve Eight-Month Prison Sentence
Journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian has been summoned to serve an eight-month prison sentence handed down by Tehran's Revolutionary Court. He is set to appear at the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office next Sunday. Judge Iman Afshari issued the sentence, which includes additional penalties: a two-year ban on political party membership, smartphone use, and travel. The charges stem from Mahmoudian’s criticism of the judiciary's initial dismissal of Zia Nabavi’s prison bedbug report. Mahmoudian was accused of "propaganda against the Islamic Republic" after a public court later confirmed Nabavi’s claims. Mahmoudian was released from Evin Prison in January 2024 after serving 30 months. The Defending Free Flow of Information (DeFFI) organization reported 256 legal actions against journalists in 2024, including 36 arrests and 11 prison sentences. Courts imposed nearly 70 years of combined prison terms and 110 lashes.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/journalism-is-not-a-crime/138416-journalist-mehdi-mahmoudian-summoned-to-serve-eight-month-prison-sentence/


Pejman Mousavi
Iranwire - January 23, 2024
<<Iran Targets Journalists with Home Raids and Court Summonses
The Islamic Republic’s security forces searched the homes of two journalists and summoned a third to court on Tuesday as pressure on media workers in the country intensified. According to the Defending Free Flow of Information (DeFFI) organization, officers confiscated Pejman Mousavi's mobile phone during an unannounced home search in Tehran. In another raid, intelligence agents overnight broke into journalist Jila Baniyaghoob’s home, seizing electronic devices after falsely claiming to deliver mail. Baniyaghoob was later summoned to appear at the Evin Prison prosecutor’s office.
Meanwhile, journalist Omid Faraghat from Alborz province was ordered to appear at Evin’s court. DeFFI reported 256 legal actions taken against journalists in 2024, including 36 arrests and 11 prison sentences. Courts imposed nearly 70 years of combined prison terms and 110 lashes.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/journalism-is-not-a-crime/138415-iran-targets-journalists-with-home-raids-and-court-summonses/


Bahaii Women Taken to Jail
NRCI - January 22, 2025 - In Women's news
<<Religious Persecution in Iran: Ten Bahaii Women Taken to Jail
At 6 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, ten Bahaii women residing in Baharestan, Isfahan, were arrested and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. The detainees include Nasrin Khademi Qahfarrokhi, Roya Azadkhosh, Sara Shakib, Boshra Motahar, Mojgan Pourshefi Ardestani, Maryam Khorsandi, Shourangiz Bahamin, Sanaz Rasteh, Firouzeh Rasti-nejad, and Azita Rezvanikhah. Security forces raided their homes, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation before transferring them to prison to serve their sentences. The arrests trace back to Sunday, April 25, 2021, when these individuals, alongside several other Bahaii women in Baharestan, were detained. After 23 days in custody, they were released on bail. A year later, the Revolutionary Court’s First Branch in Isfahan sentenced them to imprisonment, fines, social deprivation, and travel bans. Subsequently, the 37th Appeals Court of Isfahan upheld severe penalties for these women: five years of imprisonment, a fine of 50 million tomans, five years of exclusion from social services, and a two-year travel ban. This series of events underscores the continued targeting of the Bahaii community in Iran, as they endure systematic repression and discrimination, stripped of their basic human rights.>>
Source: https://wncri.org/2025/01/22/religious-persecution-iran-ten-bahaii-women/


Jila Baniyaghoob
Jinha - Womens News Agency - January 22, 2025
<<Iranian security forces raid home of Jila Baniyaghoob
Iranian security forces raided the home of Jila Baniyaghoob, an Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist, searching her home and confiscated smart phones and laptops, the journalist said in a social media post on Tuesday.
News Center- Iranian security forces raided the home of Jila Baniyaghoob, an Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist, searching her home and confiscated mobile phones and laptops, the journalist announced in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday. “10 or 12 security agents stormed our home under the pretext of delivering a letter from the post office,” her post said. The security forces confiscated the smart phones and laptops of the journalist and her husband, according to the post. When the security forces were leaving her home, they told her that she was summoned to the Evin Prosecutor's Office. “They will probably tell me the charges against me.”>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/iranian-security-forces-raid-home-of-jila-baniyaghoob-36389?page=1

NCRI - 21 Jan, 2025 - in Articles, Women's News
<<Inside Qarchak: Unveiling the Plight of Women Prisoners in Iran
Welcome to the NCRI Women’s Committee podcast! Here, we uncover stories of resilience and injustice—stories that demand our attention. Today, we’re shining a light on the dire conditions faced by women imprisoned in Iran’s Qarchak Prison.
Let’s dive in. Qarchak Prison—it’s been called one of the most notorious facilities in Iran. Why is it so infamous?
It really lives up to that reputation. Qarchak is the only all-women’s prison in Iran, located in Varamin, about 35 kilometers southeast of Tehran. But it’s far from being a place of rehabilitation. Overcrowding, filthy living conditions, and the mistreatment of inmates make it a living nightmare.
And we’re talking about political prisoners here too, right?
Yes, many inmates are political prisoners or activists who’ve committed no crime other than speaking out. But they’re lumped in with dangerous criminals. It’s a blatant violation of the principle of separating prisoners by crime type, and the regime does it deliberately.
Why would they do that?
To pile on the pressure. It’s psychological torture. Imagine being a political prisoner and having to fear attacks from violent criminals constantly. The regime essentially uses these criminals to intimidate and even harm activists. It’s a way to kill or severely injure political prisoners without taking the blame.
That’s horrifying. Let’s talk about the living conditions. What’s it really like inside?
Honestly? It’s worse than you can imagine. Qarchak is severely overcrowded—each section is designed to hold 100–120 inmates, but there are over 2,000 women crammed in there. The shared rooms are tiny, with up to 12 women packed into each one.
And what about basic facilities?
Grossly inadequate. Each section has just six bathrooms and seven toilets—for hundreds of women. The floors are often covered in urine, and the bathrooms are disgusting. Drinking water? Forget it. The water supply is brackish and unfit for use. Even the food is unsafe—there are reports of meals containing stones or being spoiled.
That’s appalling. And what happens when someone gets sick in such conditions?
Medical care is practically nonexistent. Doctors are rarely available, and when they are, their equipment is unreliable. Women with serious illnesses often suffer for days—or worse—because they’re denied treatment.
Do you have any examples of this?
Sadly, yes. Just recently, on January 11, a prisoner named Farzaneh Bijanipour died in Ward 6. She begged for medical care, but the authorities ignored her worsening condition until it was too late. That’s heartbreaking. And political prisoners face even more cruelty, don’t they? Absolutely. Political prisoners like Maryam Akbari Monfared endure relentless repression. She’s been in prison for over 15 years and hasn’t been allowed in-person visits with her family—not even with her daughters, who’ve grown up without her.
That’s unimaginable—for her and for her family.
Exactly. And Maryam’s situation goes deeper. She’s been a fierce advocate for justice, demanding answers about her siblings who were executed during the 1988 massacre. For her courage, the regime punishes her by denying medical care and cutting her off from her loved ones.
She sounds incredibly brave.
She really is. Maryam’s story is just one example of how Qarchak operates—not just as a detention center, but as a tool of oppression. It’s a microcosm of the regime’s larger disregard for human rights. Precisely. Qarchak embodies the systemic injustice women face under the Iranian regime.
So, what can the international community do to help?
First, we need to raise awareness and amplify the voices of these women. Sanctions targeting officials responsible for these abuses can make a difference, and supporting organizations that expose these violations is vital.
And recognizing the fight of the Iranian people to bring about real change is key too.
Exactly. The women of Iran are incredibly brave, and they need us to keep pushing for their dignity and freedom.>>
Source/Podcast: https://wncri.org/2025/01/21/inside-qarchak-prison-women-prisoners/


No to executions Tuesdays
NRCI - January 21, 2025 - In Women's news
<<“No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign Marks Its First Anniversary
On Tuesday, January 21, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign reached its first anniversary. This heroic initiative, now in its 52nd week, has expanded to 34 prisons across Iran. Just last week, the women’s ward of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz joined the campaign. Launched on January 29, 2024, by prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign emerged as a response to the Iranian regime’s excessive use of the death penalty. Over the past year, the movement has garnered widespread support. In addition to spreading to prisons nationwide, more than 3,000 leaders, public figures, and global representatives have voiced their solidarity. Teacher unions in various provinces, despite facing intense security pressures, have courageously endorsed the campaign, chanting “No to Executions” during their weekly gatherings. Kurdish clerics in cities across Kurdistan have also publicly condemned executions.
In a statement marking the campaign’s 52nd week, organizers reiterated their core message:
“The campaign condemns all death sentences, regardless of the charges or beliefs of the prisoners, and once again asserts that the death penalty is inhumane and must be abolished. The despotic Iranian regime uses its self-serving ‘religious and legal’ pretexts to suppress society through executions. It is essential to oppose the death penalty as an inhumane practice and to eliminate the conditions that foster crime, which are often created by the regime itself.” Campaign members expressed gratitude for public support and announced their backing for a general strike in Kurdistan against executions on Wednesday. They called on everyone to join this strike and encouraged all prisoners in various facilities to unite with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign to collectively defend the right to life for those on death row. On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, during its 52nd week, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign saw hunger strikes across 34 prisons, including Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 and 8), Ghezel Hesar Prison (Units 3 and 4), Karaj Central Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Khorin Varamin Prison, Arak Prison, Khorramabad Prison, Isfahan Asadabad Prison, Isfahan Dastgerd Prison, Ahvaz Sheiban Prison, Shiraz Military Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz (Women’s and Men’s Wards), Borazjan Prison, Bam Prison, Kahnouj Prison, Tabas Prison, Joveyn Prison, Mashhad Prison, Qaemshahr Prison, Lakan Prison of Rasht (Women’s and men’s Wards), Roudsar Prison, Haviq Talesh Prison, Ardabil Prison, Tabriz Prison, Urmia Prison, Salmas Prison, Khoy Prison, Naqadeh Prison, Saqqez Prison, Baneh Prison, Marivan Prison, and Kamyaran Prison.>>
Source: https://wncri.org/2025/01/21/no-to-executions-tuesdays/

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