Parvaneh rad,supporter of ‘Mourning Mothers’ Remains in Solitary Confinement

Parvaneh Rad, an active supporter of ‘Mourning Mothers,’ remains in solitary confinement at ward 209
According to news received by Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran, Mrs. Parvaneh Rad who was arrested on Tasooa, is still being held in a solitary confinement cell at ward 209 of Evin prison. There is no information available on her condition.

Mrs. Parvaneh Rad is 53 years old, married, and has two children. She is an active supporter of ‘Mourning Mothers,’ and attended their weekly gatherings at Laleh Park. On December 26, 2009, Mrs. Rad’s car broke down around Choopi bridge. While she waited for her husband to arrive and help her, she witnessed violent scenes of plainclothes agents hitting and scaring women of all ages. Mrs. Rad protested the horrific act, and the plainclothes agents attacked and arrested her. Upon Mr. Rad’s arrival at the scene, a police officer explained to him the attacks as he saw it from inside his cubicle at Choopi bridge. The officer said further that he and his colleagues asked the plainclothes agents to let the women go, but the they told the officers to mind their own business.

Mrs. Rad has contacted her family three times, but each time the call was short and under the control of investigators. When she spoke to her family and they asked about her condition, she replied that she is not allowed to discuss it further. Also, they have not yet been able to see her.

Mrs. Rad’s family constantly contact the Revolutionary Court, the General Attorney, and Evin prison in hopes of receiving answers on her condition or when she will be released. So far, they have not received an answer. The soldiers guarding the visiting rooms of ward 209 told the family that Mrs. Rad’s name is not in the list of the detainees and they don’t know where she is being held. Although, in the three phone conversations they have had, Mrs. Rad told them that she is being held in ward 209 of Evin prison. When her family contacted the Revolutionary Court and requested for her release, they were told that her case had not yet been transferred to the court, even though it is the Revolutionary Court that issues the arrests. In addition, Mrs. Rad is not entitled to a lawyer.

‘Mourning Mothers’ is very angry at the arrest of their supporter. They ask for her immediate unconditional freedom.

It should be mentioned that Mrs. Parvaneh Rad was a political prisoner in the 1980’s. She was in prison from 1983 to 1984.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the arrest of a supporter of ‘Mourning Mothers’ who was taken to ward 209
of Evin Prison and her family is left unaware of her condition.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran ask the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Reporters of Women and Illegal Arrests to take the necessary measures to liberate this woman in jail.