On 7th July 2019, around noon, Sepideh Gholyian started a sit-in in front of the office of the director of Gharchak prison in Varamin city, Tehran province. She is protesting against the beating of political prisoners, and lack of water and air conditioning in the prison.
Sepideh Gholyian is a student activist and citizen journalist who was arrested for supporting strike of sugar cane workers of Haft Tapeh in Khuzestan province, and for supporting claims of torture in custody that was raised by Esmaeil Bakhshi, the leader of the sugar cane workers.
Sepideh is voicing the protest of prisoners in Gharchak prison. Let’s stand by Sepideh and support her protest.
According to reports, on 6th July 2019, Neda Naji and Atefeh Rangriz, on their way to prison’s health clinic, were beaten up by prison guards because they were not wearing veil (Chador). Although the prison’s director has announced wearing chador is prison isn’t compulsory, the guards targeted the political prisoners. Neda Naji has suffered injuries on her head and Atefeh Rangriz in her shoulder and leg. Both of them have filed complaints to the prison authorities.
Neda and Atefeh were arrested for attending May1st, International Workers Day, gathering in Tehran. Two other attendees of May1st, Marzieh Amiri and Anisha Asadollahi are also in prison.
On 8th July 2019, Maryam Mohamadi, another women’s right activist was arrested at her home.
Islamic Republic of Iran tries to push back the widespread protests against poverty and inequality by arresting and imprisoning activists. Many in Iran campaign against the oppressions and for freedom of the political prisoners and the workers activists.
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers (Free Them Now) expects international support for the activists. We call on all the workers and humanitarian organisations to strongly condemn the arrests and imprisonment of the activists and to demand immediate and unconditional release of Sepideh Ghlyian, Neda Naji, Atefeh Golriz, Marzieh Amiri, Anisha Asadollahi, Esmaeil Bakhshi, Jafar Azimzadeh, and all the imprisoned teachers and political activists.
08 July 2019
Campaign to Free Jailed Workers (Free Them Now)
Shahla Daneshfar