On August 6, 2024, intense protests broke out in Tehran’s Evin Women’s Prison after news of the secret execution of political prisoner Reza Rasaei reached the inmates. Rasaei, a well-known Kurdish activist, was executed without his family or lawyer’s knowledge, sparking outrage across the country.
Growing unrest behind bars
The inmates of Evin Prison, many of whom are political prisoners and human rights activists themselves, organized spontaneous demonstrations within the prison walls. They loudly protested the brutal execution and demanded an end to the systematic oppression by the Iranian regime. These protests highlight the growing resistance within the prisons, where inmates, despite constant surveillance and repression, continue to show remarkable courage.
Regime’s response and international demands
In response to the protests, prison authorities cracked down hard. Several leaders of the demonstrations were placed in solitary confinement and are now under heightened surveillance. However, this repression has only strengthened the resolve of the women.
International human rights organizations have condemned the events in Evin Prison and are calling for an immediate investigation into the conditions in Iranian prisons. The execution of Reza Rasaei and the subsequent protests once again spotlight the severe human rights violations in Iran.
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