Zeynab Jalalian, Iran’s longest-serving female political prisoner, recently marked a harrowing 17 years of incarceration. Born in 1982 in Dim Qeshlaq, West Azerbaijan, she has been behind bars since 26 February 2008. Jalalian is unique as the only woman in Iran sentenced to life for political reasons, enduring harsh conditions, illness, and torture, denied both furloughs and family visits throughout her confinement.
Initially sentenced to death for ‘enmity against God’ in 2008, this punishment was commuted to life imprisonment in 2011. Despite significant health issues, she has repeatedly faced violence and arbitrary transfers between prisons. Her legal counsel, Amir-Salar Davoudi, insists her continued imprisonment contradicts the revised Islamic Penal Code, arguing for her immediate release.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in 2016 called for her freedom and stressed the need for the Iranian government to address the injustices she has endured. As the anniversary of her arrest approached, Jalalian wrote a poignant letter detailing her sufferings and called on the Iranian people to unite against systemic injustices.
In her letter, she expressed, “My hands smell of flowers, and they blame me for plucking them.” Through her words, she illustrated her pain, comparing herself to a dandelion that struggled yet aimed to spread seeds of freedom. Captured by oppressors, she recounted the brutality of her imprisonment, torture, and lack of basic human rights amidst attempts to silence her spirit.
Despite years of brutal conditions, Jalalian remains resolute, longing for her family’s warmth and the beauty of her homeland. Seventeen years have slipped away in isolation, with memories of fresh air and familiar faces haunting her. She reminded her fellow Iranians of their collective sorrow, urging them to rise against the tyranny and advocate for justice and humanity.
In a cry for solidarity, Jalalian implored her compatriots to shun silence before oppression, stating, “How long will you remain silent in the face of these merciless destroyers?” Her call for unity in resistance against injustice is a testament to her unyielding hope, echoing Che Guevara’s sentiment: “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine.”
Zeynab Jalalian, Iran’s only female political prisoner serving a life sentence, has endured 17 years of harsh imprisonment and torture since her arrest in 2008. Initially facing a death sentence, she was later sentenced to life. Jalalian remains a symbol of resistance against injustice, urging solidarity among the Iranian people while recounting her harrowing experiences and calling attention to the need for change.
Zeynab Jalalian’s story is a profound testament to resilience in the face of relentless oppression. Her 17-year struggle highlights the plight of political prisoners in Iran while calling for unity against widespread injustices. Jalalian’s poignant letter not only reflects her sufferings but also galvanises others to rise against tyranny and strive for a brighter future. Her enduring spirit and powerful words remind all of the collective power we hold against oppression and injustice.
Original Source: kurdistanhumanrights.org
