Original Source: www.hrw.org
In a harrowing account, journalist and activist Vida Rabbani was allegedly sexually assaulted and harassed by prison officers during a body search at Evin Prison in Tehran on October 3, as reported by Human Rights Watch. Arrested amid protests following Mahsa Jina Amini’s death, she faced a six-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional fifteen months for “propaganda against the state.” This was not her first encounter with the Iranian judicial system; she had previously been sentenced to ten years in prison in 2022 due to her activism.
Despite the somber circumstances, a 2023 general amnesty partially pardoned her sentence. Unfortunately, while serving time, Rabbani suffered from severe headaches and other health issues, leading to a temporary medical leave. However, upon her harsh return to prison, the alleged assault occurred, and reporting this violation only exacerbated her punishment, with additional restrictions on her privileges imposed by the prison disciplinary committee.
In a poignant letter released by Iran Wire, she called attention to the deteriorating conditions of fellow detainees Narges Mohammadi and Warisha Moradi, also in Evin Prison. As of November 18, she and fellow activist Motahareh Goonei have been on a hunger strike, desperately seeking medical attention for Mohammadi and improved healthcare for all inmates. Rabbani described their hunger strike as a painful yet necessary act of defiance against grave injustices.
The reported assault on Rabbani, along with ongoing rights violations in Iranian prisons, resonates as a chilling cry for justice. Such abuses should not fade into silence; global actors must confront and condemn the brutal tactics employed by Iranian authorities to stifle dissent. Iran’s officials need to cease these inhumane actions, preserve detainee rights, and ensure the release of unjustly imprisoned journalists and advocates for human rights, including Rabbani herself.
The distressing situation surrounding journalist Vida Rabbani sheds light on the dire human rights conditions within Iranian prisons. Following her arrest during protests ignited by Amini’s death, Rabbani’s legal troubles compounded, resulting in significant prison sentences for her activism. The Iranian authorities have a history of targeting women activists, further underscoring the systemic nature of oppression faced by dissenters. The broader implications of such incidents signify an urgent need for international attention and action against human rights violations in Iran.
The circumstances leading to Vida Rabbani’s assault reveal a troubling reality for journalists and activists detained in Iran. Human rights abuses, including sexual assault, highlight the urgent need for intervention from the international community. These acts of violence against dissenters must be confronted head-on, reinforcing the call for justice and the protection of human rights. Ultimately, the fight to uphold the dignity and rights of all detainees must persist until tangible changes occur.
