EVIN PRISON: THE HELL OF WOMEN IN IRAN

EVIN: A SYMBOL OF IRANIAN REPRESSION

To the North of Tehran is located Evin Prison, which has sadly become an emblem of the Iranian regime’s repression. It is known as the institution where political opponents, activists, journalists, ethnic and religious minorities, and, increasingly, women are detained for opposing the regime. Their stories offer a glimpse into the brutality of a system that, for years, has aimed not only to punish but to break, both psychologically and physically, anyone fighting for freedom.

The prison, active since 1972, had already detained political dissidents before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, particularly during the anti-government movement led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which resulted in the fall of the Shah’s reign and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Evin has become the symbol of a repression that intensified after the 2022 protests, caused by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested—and killed—for not wearing her hijab properly. Journalists such as Cecilia Sala have brought to light crucial testimonies about what happens behind Evin’s walls, giving a voice to those forced into silence.

BRUTAL CONDITIONS IN EVIN PRISON

The prison, which consists of two male sections and one female section, is characterized by:

• Overcrowding
  Cells designed for 20 people often hold more than 40.
• Arbitrary Justice
  Detentions without trial or with summary trials, confessions extracted under torture.
• Absolute Secrecy
  Many detainees disappear for months before their families receive any news.

Human Rights Watch and the Center for Human Rights in Iran report that female detainees face even harsher conditions, including isolation and threats of violence against their families. In a patriarchal society like Iran, such pressures have an even more devastating psychological impact.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND SHOCKING TESTIMONIES

Women make up a significant portion of Evin’s detainees. Many are arrested for participating in protests, refusing to wear the hijab, or engaging in activities considered “immoral” by the regime, such as singing in public or posting on social media.

Former detainees describe terrifying conditions, including:

• Physical and Psychological Torture
  Beatings, prolonged isolation, sexual abuse, and threats against family members are used to extract false confessions, often leading to long sentences or death penalties.
• Horrible Hygiene Conditions
  Overcrowded cells with no ventilation, lack of hygiene products, and no medical care exacerbate suffering, especially for those with injuries from torture or chronic illnesses.
• Gender Discrimination
  Mothers are often separated from their children and denied family visits. Former detainees, such as Masih Alinejad, describe Evin as “a daily hell”.

One of the most emblematic cases is that of Kurdish activist Pakhshan Azizi, initially sentenced to death and later held at Evin with her sentence suspended due to her activism. Kurdish women, in particular, face double discrimination—both for their ethnicity and gender—suffering even harsher detention conditions. Other testimonies from former detainees, such as Marziyeh Amirizadeh, arrested for her Christian faith, describe brutal torture, including threats of violence such as “we will beat you until you vomit blood”.

THE INACTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Despite reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, the international community’s response has been insufficient. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran has repeatedly reported severe violations in Iranian prisons, yet international resolutions have remained mostly verbal condemnations. The European Council has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials, but this has not stopped the repression.

Other global conflicts have shifted media attention, risking the abandonment of Iranian women. To oppose this tragedy, democratic countries must increase pressure on the Iranian regime through:

• More targeted and severe sanctions against officials and institutions responsible for violations
• Support for organizations that document violations and assist victims
• Greater media visibility to keep international attention on Iran

Despite international pressure, Iranian authorities continue to suppress dissent, arresting activists and journalists. The recent detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, in December 2024, has once again highlighted the horrific conditions inside Evin Prison. Her testimony has provided a direct look into the brutalities suffered by detainees, proving that, despite repeated denunciations, the situation remains urgent.

AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Evin Prison is the symbol of repression that affects not only women but the entire Iranian society. However, the stories of resistance emerging from behind those walls remind us that courage cannot be silenced. The oppressive detention conditions, torture, and systematic human rights violations demand a decisive response from the international community. Only through constant pressure and support for human rights organizations can there be hope for real change for the men and women unjustly detained in Iran.

Translated by Gaia Ciceri

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