Maryam Akbari Monfared, a political prisoner in Qarchak Prison, faces life-threatening health issues and unsafe conditions. Urgent action is needed to ensure her medical care.
Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday, August 9, 2025- Maryam Akbari Monfared, a political prisoner, endures her 16th year in Qarchak Prison under dire conditions. Arrested in 2009, she faces severe health deterioration due to denied medical care. Her case highlights the urgent need to address political prisoner health in Iran. The international community must act swiftly to protect her life and rights.
Harsh and Unsafe Environment in Qarchak Prison
Qarchak Prison’s women’s ward endangers political prisoners. Last week, a violent clash left an Afghan prisoner with a slit throat, exposing the lack of separation between political prisoners and violent offenders. This tense environment threatens Maryam Akbari Monfared’s safety daily. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited facilities worsen the situation, creating a health hazard.
Severe Health Issues Without Treatment
Maryam suffers from thyroid dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar disc issues, and liver problems. These chronic conditions require specialized care, yet prison authorities deny her access to treatment. Her worsening health could lead to irreversible damage, such as paralysis or organ failure. Medical experts warn that delays in care pose a direct threat to her life.
Judicial Persecution and New Charges
After completing a 15-year sentence in November 2024, Maryam faced an additional two-year term. Authorities filed new charges, including propaganda against the regime and spreading falsehoods, linked to her efforts to expose prison conditions. Her lawyer suspects these charges aim to seize her family’s assets, adding financial pressure to her ordeal. This judicial harassment seeks to silence her activism.
A Family’s Tragic History
Maryam’s family suffered greatly under Iran’s regime. Three brothers and one sister were executed in the 1980s, with two killed during the 1988 mass executions. In 2016, Maryam filed a complaint with a UN group, which recognized these deaths as enforced disappearances and called for an investigation. Her pursuit of justice continues to provoke retaliation from authorities.
Human Rights Violations
Maryam’s case involves multiple violations of international standards:
- Prohibition of Torture: Her detention in harsh conditions with denied medical care constitutes physical and psychological torture.
- Right to Liberty: Prolonged imprisonment and new sentences without fair trials violate her personal security.
- Right to a Fair Trial: New charges lack proper defense or transparency, undermining justice.
- Right to Privacy: Asset seizure attempts infringe on her family’s rights.
- Right to Health: Denial of medical treatment violates her fundamental right to proper care.
These breaches highlight systemic abuses against political prisoners in Iran.
Urgent Need for International Action
Human rights organizations closely monitor Maryam’s situation, urging her immediate release or transfer to a safer facility with medical care. Her continued detention risks fatal consequences. Advocates call for global pressure to ensure Iran upholds its human rights obligations. Without swift action, Maryam’s health will deteriorate further.
Qarchak Prison’s Dire Conditions
Qarchak’s women’s ward subjects inmates to poor conditions, violence, and inadequate medical facilities. Reports of conflicts and health crises are common, amplifying risks for political prisoners like Maryam. These conditions fuel demands for reform from human rights advocates worldwide.
A Symbol of Resistance
Maryam Akbari Monfared’s case symbolizes Iran’s systematic repression of political prisoners. Her detention in unsafe conditions and denial of medical care violate fundamental rights. The international community must act urgently to save her life and protect others in similar conditions. Her resilience inspires calls for justice and accountability.
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