“We’ve lived with hope.”
Mother of Parvin Mohamadi – the jailed workers’ right activists – delivers a moving speech in gathering of activists
I look forward to the day when there is no political prisoner!
Parvin Mohammadi who has been in prison since 29th January 2019, was denied visits until 21st February when her sister was allowed to see Parvin.
On 22nd February, a group of activists along with friends and family members went to see Parvin’s mother, Ms Sharafodin to show their support and to let her know that she is not alone in this.
In this meeting Ms Sharafodin spoke about the fact that there are many like Parvin who are behind bars, mentioned the struggles of herself and the people in the current situation, expressed her worry for her her daughter and others’ children who are in a similar situation, and said that she looks forward to the day when there is no political prisoners. Below is the transcript of the speech.
Parvin Mohamadi is the deputy director of the Independent Workers’ Union of Iran that have ran many successful campaigns including for increase of wages and against creating security atmosphere in workplaces. In the campaign for higher wages that took place in 2012, more than 40,000 workers signed the petition. Parvin was one of the leaders of the campaigns and had a significant role in mobilisation the workers.
While the regime is about to set the minimum wage and tries hard to oppress the workers and their strikes, leaders such as Parvin Mohamadi, Jafar Azimzadeh, Esmaeil Bakhshi, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh and sepideh Gholiyan and other workers and teachers are put behind bars.
All the workers, teachers and political prisoners must be free immediately and unconditionally.
Free Them Now – Campaign to Free Jailed Workers
23 February 2019
I still live with hope
Ms Sharafodin’s speech:
“I’m mother of Parvin Mohamadi. Parvin isn’t the only one. The regime hopes to end everything by arresting Parvin.People like Parvin has been around and they will be. And it’s not just for a day or two, they stay. But thank you for coming to see me.
I’m not sad. There are many daughters and sons like Parvin and I have been with them for the past 40 years. Since the Islamic Republic took the power I haven’t seen anything but abuse and harassment, not just against my child but for others’ children. Regardless of who they were and how they behaved I suffered and felt for everyone of them. And now it’s the same, it’s not just Parvin that I feel for, it’s everyone.
I look forward to the day when there is no political prisoner. The day when we don’t have all the issues in this country. So that people like Parvin don’t have to endure the prison and solitary confinement.
They [the government] think that they can destroy their mind by such abuses. I’m a 75 year-old woman and have suffered a lot and endured a lot. I suffered for this society, I suffered because of poverty, I suffered just for being a worker, I suffered a lot but haven’t lost my mind, not one bit. We haven’t got sleep at night but we’ve lived with hope. And now I still live with hope.
I look forward to the day when we don’t have political prisoners. The day when all the ones are freed so that they can live free without any authority on them.”
The speech finished by clapping and cheering of the attendees.