In the name of life, in the name of humanity, in the name of beauty.
These are the opening words of a letter written by Varisheh Moradi, a political prisoner and one of the thousands of brave Kurdish women, from inside Evin Prison. These words echo the voices of women in Iran and Kurdistan who, with courage and resilience, defy the oppressive regime, often at the cost of their lives. This statement amplifies their voices and responds to their call.
Since the beginning of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising, the Islamic Republic has intensified a new wave of executions aimed at spreading fear and terror. Women and Kurdish people—two central pillars of the resistance—are now the regime’s primary targets. In this context, individuals like Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi have been sentenced to death without fair trials, based on baseless and fabricated charges.
The Urgent Situation of Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi
Today, Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi, two Kurdish women symbolizing years of resistance against systematic oppression, face the imminent threat of execution. These sentences reflect the regime’s patriarchal outlook that views women as mere tools for power enforcement and considers those who resist as existential threats.
In her letter from Evin Prison, Varisheh Moradi has highlighted the link between Iran’s domestic repression and its broader regional crises:
“The flames of war have engulfed the Middle East, and we must not allow the massacres of the 1980s to be repeated alongside cross-border wars.”
This serves as a stark warning about the interconnectedness of regional conflicts with the regime’s internal suppression and the catastrophic state of Iran today, where repression and militarization go hand in hand to preserve the regime’s power.
Human Rights Violations and Forced Confessions
Both Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi have been denied their fundamental right to a fair trial. They have faced inhumane torture and were pressured into making forced confessions under duress. Their cases, like those of many political prisoners, highlight the systemic abuse of justice by the Islamic Republic.
Call for Global Action and Solidarity
The voices of Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi resonate far beyond Iran and Kurdistan. They are symbols of resistance for women worldwide, standing against oppression and discrimination. Their call is a plea for solidarity from the international community.
We, as human rights organizations, demand the immediate annulment of the death sentences for Varisheh Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, and all political prisoners. These brave women, through their struggle and sacrifice, have written a new chapter in the fight for freedom and equality. The execution of these women will undoubtedly have severe consequences for the Islamic Republic. Every drop of blood shed will deepen the regime’s wounds and fuel the resistance of Iranian society.
“In this ruthless and inhumane prison, our humanity flourishes even more, and womanhood has proven its strength and dignity, emerging proud and triumphant.”
Signatory Organizations:
- Kurdistan Human Rights Association – Geneva
- International Educational Development (IED)
- Defenders of Human Rights Center
- PEN America
- Kurdistan Human Rights Network
- Ahwaz Human Rights Organization (AHRO)
- Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort (ECPM)
- Baloch Activists Campaign
- Rasank
- Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran
- All Human Rights for All in Iran
- Siamak Pourzand Foundation
- Balochistan Human Rights Group
- Iran Human Rights
- Mehrangiz Kar
