Mon 06 February 2023:
Images of a jailed Iranian doctor and human rights activist have circulated on social media platforms after he declared a hunger strike in support of the ongoing anti-hijab protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
53-year-old Farhad Meysami, who has been imprisoned since 2018 for supporting activists who rejected the policy of imposing the headscarf.
The activist was charged with spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic, gathering and colluding to commit crimes against national security, and insulting sanctities.
Farhad began his hunger strike on October 7, 2022, in protest of the government’s crackdown on protesters.
In images, which spread on social media, sparked outrage and warnings that he was in danger of death.
His lawyer wrote on Twitter that he had lost 52 kilograms of weight as a result of the hunger strike.
“My client Farhad Meysami’s life is in danger He has started a hunger strike to protest the recent killings in the streets and government killings. According to the announcement of the prison health department, his weight has decreased to 52 kilos and he has been beaten due to his resistance to being transferred to the prison for dangerous prisoners,” tweeted lawyer Mohammad Moghimi. “
جان موکلم فرهاد میثمی در خطر است
وی در اعتراض به کشتارهای اخیر در خیابان‌ها و قتل‌های حکومتی دست به اعتصاب غذا زده است. مطابق اعلام بهداری زندان وزنش به ۵۲ کیلو کاهش یافته و به علت مقاومت در انتقال به بند زندانیان خطرناک، ضرب و جرح شده است.#مهسا_امینی #فرهاد_میثمی#اعتصاب_غذا pic.twitter.com/tRRGDOtyM0— Mohammad Moghimi (@Moghimi_Lawyer) December 22, 2022
In a letter published by the BBC Persian service, Meysami announced three demands— an end to executions, the release of political and civilian prisoners, and an end to forced headscarf harassment.
فرهاد میثمی گفته که این اقدام را به عنوان نشانه‌ای از پایداری بر سر خواسته‌های سه‌گانه‌اش (توقف اعدام معترضان، آزادی ۶ زندانی سیاسی-مدنی و توقف آزارهای اجبار حجاب) انجام می‌دهد.
او نامه خود را با این عبارت آغاز کرد: «برای روزهای زجرِ اندر زجرِ اندر زجر»https://t.co/UUerYH3xM1 pic.twitter.com/TpDalFh0MT— BBC NEWS فارسی (@bbcpersian) February 2, 2023
Amnesty International called on the Iranian authorities to release Meysami without conditions.
Iranian human rights defender Farhad Meysami must be immediately and unconditionally released. pic.twitter.com/ExWNCslw7h
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) February 3, 2023
“Harrowing photos of Dr Farhad Meysami, a brave hunger-striking advocate for women’s rights, in prison,” Robert Malley, the US special envoy for Iran, wrote on Twitter.
Shocking images of Dr. Farhad Meisami, a brave advocate for women’s rights who has been on hunger strike in prison. Iran’s regime has unjustly denied him and thousands of other political prisoners their rights and their freedom. Now it unjustly threatens his life. #فرهاد_میثمی https://t.co/WIBEy73otc
— Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley (@USEnvoyIran) February 2, 2023
Tweeters posted a video showing the doctor before his arrest, and he appeared to be in good health.
Years ago when I used to read the prologues of his books I wouldn’t believe that someday I’d see him in a condition that appears like straight out of movies. #FarhadMeysami didn’t always look like the photos we saw of him today. He could have a normal life if IR didn’t exist. pic.twitter.com/pdGyLYus6e
— Negin (@Negin800) February 2, 2023
Protests in Iran continues
Iran has been witnessing protests since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, on September 16, after she was arrested in Tehran by the morality police on suspicion of not respecting the country’s dress code.
The demonstrations involved people from all walks of life and different sects in Iran after Amini’s killing.
Iranian women are at the fore in the demonstrations, in which many young people participate, to chants of “Woman life freedom” and “Death to the dictator.”
The protests represent one of the country’s boldest challenges since the 1979 revolution.
The regime continued to pressure other demonstrators and activists of the popular uprising through arrests, harsh sentences, and bans.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) announced that 527 protesters had been killed in the unrest as of Saturday, February 4, including 71 children.
At least 19,623 people, including 718 students, were arrested in those protests that took place in 164 cities and towns and 144 universities.
Daily Statistics on Iran Protests
For details and more statistics, read HRANA’s report:https://t.co/AO1LLop5by#Iran#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/2Y0Ug6a1oy
— HRANA English (@HRANA_English) February 4, 2023
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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