Narges Mohammadi: I will defy the order to return to prison
Human rights defender Narges Mohammadi said in a statement that she is following the method of civil disobedience, defying the prosecutor's order and will not return to prison.
Narges Mohammadi stated that she does not recognize the religious tyranny and the court's repressive decisions, and said that she will refuse to obey the prosecutor's order to return to prison as long as her disobedience does not result in the confiscation of her bail bonds.
According to the Iranian Human Rights Organization, Narges Mohammadi announced in a statement on Thursday, March 16, that she is "on the sixth day of absence and refusal to return to prison," while on Wednesday she received a notification confiscating her bail bondsman's property.
Ms. Mohammadi emphasized in this statement: "It is obvious that human rights-violating regimes, due to the clear and obvious reason of crimes against human dignity, have no legitimacy and do not deserve obedience and respect, and civil disobedience to inhumane orders and laws is a civil, peaceful movement towards peace."
Political activist Majid Tavakoli considered the statement and action of Narges Mohammadi, spokesperson and vice president of the Center for Human Rights Defenders, an example of change in the political struggle in Iran, and in a tweet interpreted her move as a step towards peace.
Narges Mohammadi was sent on medical leave on March 24 after heart surgery, and shortly thereafter was summoned back to prison to continue her imprisonment.
The judicial sentences issued against Narges Mohammadi come despite the fact that her activities, including opposing the death penalty, supporting the families of those killed in nationwide protests, defending political prisoners, protesting long-term solitary confinement, providing information about the conditions of prisons, and describing physical and mental torture, have always been civil and peaceful.
This human rights activist had previously been sentenced to 16 years in prison (10 years enforceable) in one of his cases. After serving eight years of this sentence, he was released from prison in October 2020.
Narges Mohammadi has been diagnosed with muscular paralysis in prison after repeated imprisonments, including "16 years in prison, including 10 years that can be enforced," in only one case. Her family has repeatedly stated that prison conditions are exacerbating her illness.
During this time, the United States, the European Union, and human rights organizations have repeatedly called on Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Narges Mohammadi from prison.
Source: Voice of America
