Additional Name(s): پریزاد حمیدی شفق
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 5 Years, 7 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: February//2020
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Other) Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Blasphemy Incitement to Commit Crime & Violence
Parizad Hamidi Shafagh is imprisoned on blasphemy-related charges.
In February 2020, intelligence agents arrested Shafagh reportedly in relation to her social media activities.
In June 2020, a Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Shafagh to 18 years and six months in prison for “insulting Islamic sanctities” (Art. 513 IPC), “membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security” (Art. 499 IPC), and “inciting violence.” Her sentence was reduced to five years, seven months, and 15 days.
Shafagh is serving her sentence in Qarchak Prison.
“Parizad Hamidi Shafagh” United for Iran
“پریزاد حمیدی شفق” Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): نوشین جعفری
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 4 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: February//2021
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Expression about Religion Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Noushin Jafari was imprisoned for blasphemy.
In August 2019, authorities arrested Jafari, a photojournalist and culture reporter, after accusing her of running a Twitter account that mocked historical religious figures and insulted Islam. She was also accused of making posts opposing the government.
In October 2019, Jafari was released on bail.
In mid-February 2021, an appeals court sentenced Jafari to four years in prison for “insulting Islamic sanctities” (Art. 513 IPC) and one year for “propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Jafari is expected to serve four years in prison as the sentences run concurrently. It is unclear if Jafari was sentenced by a previous court.
Following her sentencing in February 2021, Jafari was taken into custody to begin serving her sentence. She was sent to Qarchak Prison.
On February 10, 2023, Jafari was reportedly released from prison after receiving amnesty.
“Noushin Jafari” United for Iran
USCIRF Tweet May 3, 2022
“Iranian Society Under Crackdown” Human Rights Watch
“Iranian journalist Nooshin Jafari begins 4-year jail term on propaganda and insult charges” Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
“Iran Reveals Charges Against Photojournalist Whose Arrest Drew Film Industry Backlash” Voice of America (VOA)
“Iran detains freelance photographer and culture reporter Nooshin Jafari” Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Additional Name(s): منیره عربشاهی
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Health Concerns: Thyroid issues
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Appeal: 5 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April//2019
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Appearance Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Immorality Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Monireh Arabshahi was imprisoned for her women’s rights activism against compulsory religious veiling.
In April 2019, authorities arrested Arabshahi for protesting compulsory hijab by handing out flowers on the metro while not wearing a hijab.
In July 2019, a Tehran court sentenced Arabshahi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC), five years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and ten years for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC).
In February 2020, an appeals court reportedly resentenced Arabshahi to seven months for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC), three years and six months for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and five years and six months in prison for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC). Arabshahi is expected to serve five years and six months in prison as the sentences run concurrently.
In May 2021, Arabshahi was granted a medical furlough to have surgery on her thyroid.
In July 2021, Arabshahi returned to prison.
In August 2021, Arabshahi was granted a medical furlough.
In October 2021, Arabshahi returned to prison reportedly despite not completing her treatment.
In May 2022, it was reported that Arabshahi had been taken to a hospital outside of prison due to her deteriorating health reportedly linked to her thyroid condition.
On February 15, 2023, it was reported that Arabshahi had been released from prison.
Arabshahi was repeatedly dispatched to outside hospitals for quick treatment without prolonged medical furlough. She was reportedly denied adequate medical care in prison.
HRANA English, Tweet, February 15, 2023
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Iran in 2022 July 2022
USCIRF Spotlight Podcast: Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Iran June 2022
“Monireh Arabshahi” United for Iran
"منیره عربشاهی از زندان کچویی کرج به بیمارستان اعزام شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Civil Activist Monireh Arabshahi Hospitalized for Poor Health Conditions" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
“Monireh Arabshahi Forcefully Transferred Back to Kachooye Prison Before Completion of Medical Treatment” Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
“Iran Court Upholds Long Prison Sentences Of Anti-Hijab Women Activists” Radio Farda
“Iran: Release women’s rights defenders detained for peacefully protesting against forced veiling” Amnesty International
“Iranian Women Rebel Against Dress Code” Human Rights Watch