More than 60 current and former political prisoners and women activists have come together to express their unwavering support for Maryam Akbari Monfared, who has now spent a staggering 5107 days behind bars without any opportunity for release. This marks her 15th year of imprisonment, a sentence that has been extended to a total of 18 years.
Maryam Akbari Monfared’s plight epitomizes the profound injustices endured by political prisoners in Iran. She stands as one of the longest-held female political prisoners in the country, hailing from a family scarred by the brutalities of imprisonment, torture, and execution since her childhood. Tragically, she has seen her sister and three brothers fall victim to torture or unjust execution, without ever being formally sentenced to death. Furthermore, the anguish of witnessing her grief-stricken mother endure imprisonment and eventual demise has compounded her own suffering.
Throughout her lengthy incarceration, Maryam has faced relentless pressures and restrictions, denied even the simplest reprieve from her ordeal. As a mother of three children, she has been robbed of the precious moments of familial bonds for many years. Yet, in the face of such adversity, she has remained steadfast, refusing to succumb to the corrosive effects of imprisonment.
For many of us, who have stood alongside Maryam in solidarity, we have borne witness to only a fraction of the hardships endured by her and her family over decades. We recall moments shared with her during the arrival of spring, her fervent anticipation of Nowruz (Iranian New Year), only to see yet another Nowruz pass with her still unjustly incarcerated. Her deep-rooted understanding of freedom and her unyielding belief in its intrinsic value have left an indelible mark on us.
As former inmates and women’s activists, united in our cause, we stand in solidarity with Maryam Akbari Monfared and all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. We vehemently demand the immediate and unconditional release of Maryam and others unjustly detained, and we reiterate our commitment to the fight against oppression and injustice in our nation.