Fatemeh Ziaei, a 66-year-old political prisoner with severe illnesses, faces life-threatening re-arrest in Iran. Urgent action is needed to secure her release and medical care.
Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday, August 9, 2025 – Fatemeh Ziaei, a 66-year-old political prisoner, faces grave health risks after her re-arrest in Tehran. On August 7, 2025, Intelligence Ministry agents detained her at her home, ignoring her critical medical needs. This arrest marks another chapter in her long history of persecution for political activism. Her case demands urgent global attention to address the worsening health of political prisoners in Iran.
A History of Relentless Persecution
Fatemeh Ziaei Azad, known as Houriyeh, was born in 1957. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, is married, and has two children. Authorities have arrested her multiple times over decades for her political activities, particularly her support for ideological causes. In September 2023, she received a temporary medical release due to her declining health. However, her re-arrest has now stopped her critical treatment, putting her life at immediate risk.
Critical Health Conditions Worsen
Fatemeh Ziaei suffers from advanced multiple sclerosis (MS), a severe lung infection resembling tuberculosis, and a chronic bladder infection. These illnesses severely limit her mobility, leaving her barely able to walk. Furthermore, her lung infection causes acute respiratory distress, delaying vital MS treatment. Medical experts warn that interrupting MS care, especially at this stage, can worsen symptoms and cause permanent disability. Prison medical officials previously stated that her detention directly threatens her life and urged treatment in specialized facilities outside prison.
Psychological and Physical Toll
Re-arresting a gravely ill political prisoner like Ziaei not only endangers her life but also inflicts severe psychological and physical pressure. Human rights activists call this “white torture,” using illness as a tool of coercion. Her detention in a confined prison environment, without access to proper care, risks irreversible health deterioration. For instance, her advanced lung infection requires urgent, specialized treatment, which prison facilities cannot provide.
Violations of Fundamental Rights
Fatemeh Ziaei’s case reveals multiple violations of international human rights standards. Her detention disregards the right to life, as her lack of medical care places her in direct jeopardy. Additionally, holding a sick prisoner without treatment constitutes inhumane treatment and psychological torture. International standards mandate humane treatment for all prisoners, including prompt access to specialized healthcare. Yet, authorities have neither granted Ziaei conditional release nor suspended her sentence, despite her critical condition.
Urgent Call for Action
The re-arrest of Fatemeh Ziaei, given her life-threatening health issues, is deeply inhumane. It reflects a broader pattern of using physical and psychological pressure against political prisoners in Iran. This approach not only endangers individual lives but also undermines Iran’s global standing. Human rights activists emphasize that access to medical care and the right to life are fundamental, inalienable rights for all, including prisoners. Therefore, immediate action is needed to secure Ziaei’s release and ensure she receives proper treatment.
A Plea for Humanity
Fatemeh Ziaei’s case is a stark reminder of the challenges political prisoners face in accessing basic rights. Her re-arrest, despite her severe illnesses, highlights the urgent need for reform in how authorities treat such prisoners. Advocates call on the international community to pressure for her release and demand accountability for these violations. Without swift intervention, Ziaei’s health will continue to decline, with potentially fatal consequences. The world must act to protect her and others like her.
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