In recent months, the Iranian government has targeted an Iranian aid worker, a labor activist, a political campaigner, and a protester, accusing them of armed rebellion against the state—a charge that carries the death sentence. These women, Pakhshan Azizi, Sharifeh Mohammadi, Varisheh Moradi, and Nasim Gholami Simiyari, represent a growing number of women in Iran who have become targets of the government’s repressive measures. The charges against these women highlight the Iranian authorities’ increasingly draconian approach to dissent, especially in the wake of the anti-establishment protests that erupted in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman, in police custody.
Pakhshan Azizi, an aid worker, and Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, have already been sentenced to death, while political activist Varisheh Moradi and protester Nasim Gholami Simiyari await their verdicts. The charges against these women, including alleged affiliations with Kurdish opposition groups, are seen by many as a means to silence political dissent. The Iranian government has a long history of targeting its Kurdish minority, viewing them as a threat to national security. The accusations against these women are part of a broader pattern of repression against perceived enemies of the state.
Azizi and Moradi are members of Iran’s Kurdish minority, which has historically faced systematic oppression. The Kurdish identity of these women has played a significant role in their persecution. Kurdish political movements have long been a thorn in the side of the Iranian government, which has gone to great lengths to suppress any form of Kurdish self-determination or political activity. By accusing these women of ties to Kurdish opposition groups, the Iranian authorities are tapping into a deep-seated narrative of Kurdish resistance to justify their harsh measures.
Repression in Aftermath of 2022 Protests
The 2022 protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, marked a turning point in the Iranian political landscape. The widespread demonstrations, driven largely by women, called for an end to the regime’s oppressive policies and highlighted the government’s brutal enforcement of its moral and legal codes. In response, the Iranian state has escalated its use of the death penalty as a tool to instill fear and suppress dissent. The cases of Azizi, Mohammadi, Moradi, and Simiyari exemplify the government’s willingness to use extreme measures to quell the voices of dissent.
Sharifeh Mohammadi’s case illustrates the Iranian government’s crackdown on labor rights. Sentenced to death in July, Mohammadi was accused of membership in an independent labor union and a banned Kurdish separatist group. Her family, however, has insisted that she was not affiliated with any political organization. Mohammadi’s cousin revealed that she was tortured in prison and spent several months in solitary confinement, a common tactic used by Iranian authorities to break the spirits of political prisoners. Her plight underscores the risks faced by labor activists in Iran, where any form of organized resistance is met with severe punishment.
Varisheh Moradi: A Political Activist’s Fight for Justice
Varisheh Moradi, a Kurdish political activist, was arrested in August 2023 and accused of being a member of the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK). The Iranian government views PJAK as a terrorist organization, linked to Turkey’s Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Despite these allegations, Moradi’s supporters argue that she was involved in peaceful political activism, advocating for Kurdish rights and freedoms. Her case highlights the Iranian state’s conflation of legitimate political dissent with terrorism, a tactic used to delegitimize and discredit opposition voices.
Pakhshan Azizi’s work as an aid worker in conflict zones has been twisted by Iranian authorities to portray her as a threat to national security. Accused of membership in PJAK, Azizi has denied any such affiliations. She spent time in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeastern Syria, providing humanitarian aid to those displaced by war and conflict. In a letter from prison, Azizi expressed her belief in the moral importance of her work, questioning why her humanitarian efforts should be equated with rebellion. Her case reflects the Iranian regime’s broader strategy of criminalizing aid work and humanitarian efforts when they intersect with politically sensitive issues.
Nasim Gholami Simiyari: Cost of Protest
Nasim Gholami Simiyari, a protester, was accused of participating in the anti-establishment protests of 2022 and arrested in May 2023. She has reported being tortured and held in solitary confinement, methods commonly used by Iranian authorities to extract confessions or simply to punish dissenters. Simiyari’s case illustrates the Iranian government’s zero-tolerance policy towards protest, even when the acts of protest are peaceful. Her experiences highlight the personal cost borne by ordinary citizens who dare to voice their opposition to the regime.
Human rights organizations have condemned the charges against these women as baseless and fabricated. The accusation of armed rebellion is often employed by the Iranian government to justify harsh sentences against political prisoners. Despite the lack of evidence indicating that these women possessed weapons or engaged in violent acts, the charges have been used to paint them as threats to national security. This tactic not only serves to justify their imprisonment but also aims to deter others from engaging in similar acts of dissent.
The cases of these four women reflect a broader trend of increasing repression against women in Iran. As women have taken on more prominent roles in protesting against the government, they have become prime targets for state repression. The use of the death penalty against women is a particularly stark manifestation of the lengths to which the Iranian government is willing to go to maintain control. It sends a chilling message to other women: that their activism could cost them their lives.
Human rights groups around the world have raised their voices in opposition to the treatment of these women. Organizations such as the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) have highlighted the Iranian government’s use of the death penalty as a tool of repression. The international community’s response to these cases is crucial in applying pressure on the Iranian government to halt its campaign of executions and to respect the fundamental human rights of its citizens.
The fact that two of the women, Azizi and Moradi, are Kurds is significant. The Kurdish minority in Iran has long been subjected to discrimination and repression. The Iranian government’s use of the death penalty against Kurdish activists is part of a broader pattern of targeting ethnic minorities. The use of ethnic identity as a basis for repression highlights the intersection of ethnic discrimination and political repression in Iran, revealing the multifaceted nature of the state’s campaign against dissent.
Dangers of Silence
As the Iranian government continues to target women activists, it becomes increasingly important for the international community to speak out. Silence in the face of such repression only emboldens authoritarian regimes. By raising awareness and applying diplomatic pressure, the international community can play a role in protecting the lives of these women and others like them. The cases of Azizi, Mohammadi, Moradi, and Simiyari should serve as a rallying cry for global advocacy on behalf of political prisoners in Iran.
The cases of Pakhshan Azizi, Sharifeh Mohammadi, Varisheh Moradi, and Nasim Gholami Simiyari illustrate the Iranian government’s willingness to use extreme measures to silence dissent. These women, each with their own story, represent the broader struggle for justice and human rights in Iran. Their persecution is a reflection of the Iranian state’s fear of the power of women’s voices and the lengths to which it will go to maintain control. As the world watches, it is imperative that the international community stands in solidarity with these women, advocating for their freedom and the rights of all those who dare to speak out against oppression.
The ongoing repression of women in Iran underscores the urgency of addressing human rights abuses. The international community must continue to highlight these cases, not only to seek justice for the individuals involved but also to challenge the systemic violations occurring within Iran. Advocacy, awareness, and diplomatic pressure are crucial tools in the fight to end the use of the death penalty as a means of political repression. The lives of Azizi, Mohammadi, Moradi, and Simiyari hang in the balance, and the world must not look away.
In the face of such repression, solidarity and resistance become acts of defiance. The stories of these four women remind us of the power of the human spirit to resist oppression, even in the most challenging circumstances. As we continue to witness the struggle for justice in Iran, it is vital to remember that every voice raised in support of these women strengthens the fight against tyranny. The path to freedom and justice is fraught with danger, but the courage of these women shows us that the fight is not in vain.
