A Mother, a Prisoner, and a Voice for Justice

After 17 years of unjust imprisonment, Maryam Akbari Monfared is finally free. Her release on April 8, 2026, is far more than the end of a long journey of suffering—it is a moment of profound symbolic significance for the people of Iran. It serves as powerful evidence that even a repressive system can be forced to yield under the weight of sustained international attention and pressure. We are so proud that we have ran projects for her release.

Maryam Akbari Monfared was arrested in 2009 during the protests in Tehran. At the time, she was a mother to three young daughters who were abruptly forced to grow up without her.

What followed was one of the longest prison terms served by a political prisoner in Iran: 17 years without a single day of furlough (temporary leave). During her time in notorious facilities like Evin Prison, Semnan, and Qarchak, she faced psychological pressure, isolation, and the denial of essential medical care. Her only “crime” was her refusal to remain silent about the pursuit of truth and justice.

A Legacy of Sacrifice: The 1988 Mass Executions

The story of Maryam Akbari Monfared is inextricably linked to one of the darkest chapters in Iranian history: the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. Four of her siblings were executed by the regime:

• Alireza and Gholamreza: Executed in 1981 and 1985.
• Roghieh and Abdolreza: Victims of the 1988 mass executions. Abdolreza was only 17 years old at the time of his arrest.

Instead of succumbing to fear, Maryam chose the path of courage. In 2016, from behind prison walls, she filed an official complaint seeking an investigation into the executions that tore her family apart. This demand for accountability became the primary reason for the regime’s continued persecution of her.

17 Years of Separation: The Toll on Her Children

While Maryam was incarcerated, her daughters grew into adulthood. Childhood milestones, first days of school, and significant life events all passed in her absence. In 2016, her daughter Sara wrote a moving letter to the international community, describing the void left by her mother’s absence and the fear they might never see her free again.

Even as her original 15-year sentence neared its end, the regime arbitrarily extended her imprisonment by another three years—a clear act of cruelty designed to break her spirit.

Resilience Against a System of Intimidation

Despite the immense pressure, Maryam Akbari Monfared remained steadfast. She did not renounce her convictions, and she did not let the system break her. In a regime that relies on fear to maintain control, she became a symbol of resistance. Her endurance proves that human dignity and conscience can survive even the most extreme conditions.

The Power of International Pressure and Advocacy

Her release is not a coincidence. It is the result of years of dedicated work by:

• UN Human Rights Bodies: Constant monitoring and reporting on her case.
• International NGOs: Global campaigns that kept her name in the headlines.
• Welle Association (Verein Welle): Relentless advocacy and political intervention.

This success story demonstrates that continuous international pressure saves lives. When the world refuses to look away, the voices of the imprisoned are finally heard.

For the millions in Iran striving for change, Maryam’s release is a glimmer of hope. It shows that resistance is not in vain and that steadfastness matters. Maryam Akbari Monfared stands today as a representative of the unbroken will of a population seeking freedom, justice, peace, and human dignity.

17 years of prison could not break her spirit. 17 years of injustice could not silence her conviction. Her freedom is not just the end of a long struggle—it is a new beginning for the movement for human rights in Iran.