Human Rights Day is an opportunity to reflect on the plight of civil activists imprisoned in Iran, detained solely for defending fundamental human rights. On this occasion, HRANA has published a list of these activists and calls on the global community to amplify their voices and demand their immediate release.
Observed annually on December 10, Human Rights Day underscores the significance of fundamental rights and the global commitment to their protection and promotion. Since 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the UN General Assembly, this day has symbolized the global struggle for freedom, equality, and human dignity. The UDHR, as the first universal human rights document, established principles such as freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, and the prohibition of torture as inalienable human rights.
For Iranians, Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and respecting human rights in a society where activists face significant risks in their pursuit of justice and freedom. Iranian human rights defenders and civil activists face enormous challenges in advocating for these principles. Many have been imprisoned for their efforts to secure equal rights, freedom of expression, and social justice. They are not only denied participation in civic and social affairs but also endure physical and psychological pressures, deprivation of basic rights, and violations of their legal protections.
Highlighting and sharing the names of these activists is not only a tribute to their courage and sacrifices but also a crucial step in raising global awareness about the state of human rights in Iran. This effort can pave the way for increased international support and pressure on Iranian authorities to honor their human rights commitments.
Moreover, this day is an opportunity to consider the role of community members in advancing human rights goals. Raising awareness, supporting civil activists, and holding authorities accountable are effective steps toward building a more just and free society. To this end, HRANA has published a report listing the names and details of some imprisoned human rights defenders and civil activists in Iran, aiming to amplify their voices and bring their call for freedom and justice to the global stage.
The List of Imprisoned Activists:
 | 1. Golrokh Iraee Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security Sentenced: Five years and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 2. Fatemeh Sepehri Civil Rights Activist Charges: Collaboration with hostile governments, assembly and collusion against national security, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, Propaganda against the regime, spreading falsehoods, and disturbing public opinion Sentenced: A total of 36 years and 6 months in prison and a fine across three separate cases Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 3. Zohreh (Fatemeh) Dadras Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Forming a group to disrupt national security, assembly and collusion against national security Sentenced: 9 years, 6 months, and 2 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 4. Maryam Akbari Monfared Civil Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion against national security Sentenced: 2 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Qarchak Prison, Varamin |
 | 5. Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Civil Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime, assembly and collusion to commit crimes against internal and external security Sentenced: A total of 6 years and 8 months in prison, along with social deprivations and exile across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj |
 | 6. Mohammadi Najafi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Sending audio files from Arak Prison supporting 2022 nationwide protests, spreading falsehoods, propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran Sentenced: More than 21 years in prison across at least five separate cases Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 7. Reyhaneh Ansari-Nejad Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security Sentenced: 4 years in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 8. Payam Vali Baha’is Civil Rights Activist Charges: Collaboration with hostile governments, inciting people to war and violence, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: A total of 11 years and 5 months in prison, along with social deprivations and exile across three separate cases Place of imprisonment: Central Prison of Karaj |
 | 9. Mohammad Davari Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader and propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups on social media Sentenced: 4 years and 6 months in prison, social deprivations, and exile Place of imprisonment: Adelabad Prison, Shiraz |
 | 10. Hashem Khastar Civil Rights Activist Charges: Insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, blasphemy, insulting the Supreme Leader, disturbing public opinion, collaborating with foreign media, participating in illegal gatherings, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: A total of 18 years and 6 months in prison, along with social deprivations and exile across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad |
 | 11. Sarvenaz Ahmadi Children’s Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion to disrupt national security, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 3 years and 6 months in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 12. Anisha Asadollahi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 5 years and 8 months in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 13. Raheleh Rahemipour Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 6 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 14. Esmail Gerami Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Propaganda against the regime through participation in pensioners’ protests Sentenced: A total of 1 year in prison and a fine across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 15. Mehran Raoof Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Participating in managing an illegal group, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 7 years and 6 months in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 16. Ebrahim Madadi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security, disrupting public order through participation in illegal gatherings Sentenced: 1 year in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 17. Davood Razavi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security Sentenced: 5 years in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 18. Mohammad Nourizad Civil Rights Activist Charges: Sending an audio file outside prison, disturbing public order, spreading falsehoods, insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, insulting sanctities, insulting the Supreme Leader, disturbing public opinion, collaboration with foreign media, participating in illegal gatherings, propaganda against the regime, and damaging the office furniture of a prison ward chief Sentenced: A total of 28 years and 9 months in prison, 148 lashes, and exile across six separate cases Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 19. Ahmadreza Haeri Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security, propaganda against the regime, and spreading falsehoods Sentenced: A total of 6 years and 3 months in prison across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj |
 | 20. Othman Esmaeili Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Propaganda against the regime, membership in one of opposition groups Sentenced: 1 year and 4 months in prison Place of imprisonment: Saqqez Prison |
 | 21. Reza (Gholamreza) Aghdasi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion to commit crimes against national security Sentenced: 4 years and 3 months in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 22. Asghar Amirzadegan Teachers’ Union Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security Sentenced: A total of 3 years in prison across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Firouzabad Prison |
 | 23. Rasoul Bodaghi Teachers’ Union Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: A total of 10 years and 6 months in prison and social deprivations across two separate cases Latest Case Status: A retrial on part of his sentence (5 years and 6 months) was accepted by the Supreme Court in 2022 Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 24. Nasrin Hasani Journalist & Human Rights Activist Charges: Spreading falsehoods, propaganda against the regime via posting photos, videos, and content on social media Sentenced: A total of 1 year and 7 months in prison and fines across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Bojnurd Prison |
 | 25. Narges Mansouri Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 9 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 26. Atena Farghadani Cartoonist & Civil Rights Activist Charges: Blasphemy, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 6 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 27. Masoumeh (Akram) Akbari Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 2 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 28. Vida Rabbani Journalist Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime, insulting sanctities, disturbing public order Sentenced: 17 years and 7 months in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 29. Forough Saminia Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 30. Shiva Shah-Siah Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 31. Houra Nikbakht Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran Sentenced: 1 year in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 32. Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Forming a group to act against national security, collaborating with opposition groups Sentenced: A total of 21 years in prison across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad |
 | 33. Mohammad Abolhassani Civil Rights Activist Charges: Disturbing public order, assembly and collusion, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: A total of 5 years and 3 months in prison, 12 lashes (carried out), and social deprivations across three separate cases Place of imprisonment: Choobindar Prison, Qazvin |
 | 34. Taher Naghavi Attorney at law & Civil Rights Activist Charges: propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion to act against national security Sentenced: 6 years and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 35. Maryam Jalal Hosseini Civil Rights Activist Charges: Inciting and provoking people to war and violence to disrupt national security, propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader, and forming a group to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years in prison and exile Place of imprisonment: Kachouei Prison, Karaj |
 | 36. Shakila Monfared Civil Rights Activist Charges: Membership in opposition groups, destruction of public property, disturbing public order, propaganda against the regime, and blasphemy Sentenced: A total of 15 years and 5 months in prison, 10 lashes, social deprivations, and exile across four separate cases Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 37. Sepideh Qolian Civil Rights Activist Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader, removing hijab, facilitating corruption and immorality, and insisting on repeating the mentioned offenses during court sessions Sentenced: 3 years and 3 months in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 38. Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Inciting and provoking people to war and violence to disrupt national security, propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader, and forming a group to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years in prison and exile Place of imprisonment: Kachooie Prison, Karaj |
 | 39. Hooman Taheri Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 1 year in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 40. Peyman Farhangian Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Propaganda against the regime, forming a group to disrupt public order Sentenced: A total of 11 years in prison and social deprivations across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Azbaram Prison, Lahijan |
 | 41. Maziar Seyednejad Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Membership in communist groups, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 3 years in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 42. Azadeh Chavoshian Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 43. Sharifeh Mohammadi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Propaganda against the regime, acting against national security, and armed rebellion (“Baghi”) through membership in opposition groups Sentenced: Death sentence overturned by the Supreme Court; case referred for retrial Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 44. Morteza Seydi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Forming a labor union to disrupt national security Sentenced: 2 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 45. Nasrollah Amirloo Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Forming a labor union to disrupt national security Sentenced: 2 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 46. Mohammad Habibi Teacher Union Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 6 months and 1 day in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 47. Maryam Derisi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Disturbing public order, propaganda against the regime through online posts, removing hijab, and insulting the Supreme Leader Sentenced: A total of 2 years, 10 months, and 17 days in prison across three separate cases Place of imprisonment: Adelabad Prison, Shiraz |
 | 48. Nahid Shirpisheh Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly, collusion, and propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 5 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Zanjan Prison |
 | 49. Farhad Sheikhi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 8 months in prison, social deprivations, and exile Place of imprisonment: Central Prison of Karaj |
 | 50. Nahid Khodajoo Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security, disturbing public order Sentenced: 6 years in prison and 74 lashes Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 51. Motahareh Goonehi Student Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime media Sentenced: 1 year in prison, temporary ban from education, and transfer to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 52. Saeideh Shafiei Journalist & Human Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion against national security Sentenced: 3 years and 6 months in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 53. Nasrin Javadi (A’zam Khezri Javadi) Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security Sentenced: 5 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 54. Khosrow Alikurdi Attorney at law & Civil Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda in favor of opposition groups, spreading falsehoods on the Internet, and failure to maintain confidentiality Sentenced: 1 year in prison, fines, social deprivations, exile, and prohibition from practicing law across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad (open detention) |
 | 55. Armita Pavir Civil Rights Activist Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 1 year, 10 months, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Tabriz Prison |
 | 56. Morteza Parvin Civil Rights Activist (Turk-Azerbaijani Activist) Charges: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 57. Foad Fathi Workers’ Rights Advocate Charges: Membership in opposition groups, acting against national security, propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 4 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 58. Abdolrasoul Mortazavi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, insulting sanctities, insulting the Supreme Leader, disturbing public opinion, collaboration with foreign media, participating in illegal gatherings, propaganda against the regime, and disturbing public order Sentenced: A total of 30 years in prison across three separate cases; maximum sentence is 15 years Place of imprisonment: Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan |
 | 59. Samaneh Asghari Student Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 1 year in prison Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison |
 | 60. Mohammad-Ali Zahmatkesh Teachers’ Union Activist Charges: Membership in anti-regime online groups, propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion to act against national security Sentenced: 2 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Adelabad Prison, Shiraz |
 | 61. Javad La’al Mohammadi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Giving interviews to foreign media, membership in groups Sentenced: A total of 23 years in prison across three separate cases Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad |
 | 62. Arsham Rezaie Civil Rights Activist Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security, propaganda against the regime, inciting people to conflict and bloodshed, illicit financial gains, spreading falsehoods Sentenced: A total of 15 years in prison, fines, 50 lashes, and social deprivations across two separate cases Place of imprisonment: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj |
 | 63. Saman Ostovar Children’s Rights Activist Charges: Educational and propaganda activities against Islamic law, insulting against Islamic law, forming a group and leading individuals to disrupt national security by promoting Baha’i teachings to children, engaging in educational activities incompatible with Islamic law through kindergartens, and propaganda against Islamic law through coaching Sentenced: 5 years in prison, fines, and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Central Prison of Karaj |
 | 64. Zahra Dadras Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht |
 | 65. Yashar Tabrizi Civil Rights Activist Charges: Unknown Sentenced: Currently in temporary detention; trial has not been held Place of imprisonment: Unknown |
List of Activists Currently on Leave Due to Suspension of Sentence, Bail, and Other Factors:
 | 1. Narges Mohammadi Nobel Peace Prize laureate & Human Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran by publishing a statement (the anti-execution statement), hunger strike in the prison office, defying prison authorities (to end the protest hunger strike), damaging glass windows, slander and assault, confrontation with a guard, defiance, and propaganda against the regime Sentenced: A total of 15 years and 6 months in prison, 74 lashes, exile, and social deprivations across seven separate cases Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison (currently on leave due to suspension of sentence) |
 | 2. Amirsalar Davoudi Attorney at law & Human Rights Activist Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader, disturbing public opinion, and forming an anti-security group Sentenced: 14 years in prison Place of imprisonment: Following the acceptance of his case review request in the Supreme Court and its referral for retrial, his sentence has been suspended |
 | 3. Atefeh Rangriz Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Forming a Telegram group (named Gago Translation), propaganda against the regime, collaboration and membership in opposition groups Sentenced: 10 years and 3 months in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Shahrud Prison (currently on medical leave) |
 | 4. Jelveh Javaheri Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime Sentenced: 1 year in prison Place of imprisonment: Due to a request for a case review in the Supreme Court, her sentence has been temporarily suspended, and she has been released on bail |
 | 5. Yasamin Hashdari Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht (currently on medical leave) |
 | 6. Sarah Jahani Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht (currently on medical leave) |
 | 7. Matin Yazdani Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht (currently on leave) |
 | 8. Negin Rezaie Women’s Rights Activist Charges: Membership in a group, assembly, and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security Sentenced: 6 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht (currently on leave) |
 | 9. Nasim Soltanbeigi Journalist & Human Rights Activist Charges: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion against national security Sentenced: 3 years and 6 months in prison and social deprivations Place of imprisonment: Currently on leave due to suspension of sentence |
The names listed in this report represent only a small glimpse of the suffering and resilience of human rights defenders and civil activists in Iran, who have paid a heavy price for standing firm on humanitarian principles.
These imprisoned defenders embody the universal values of human rights, and the global community must not remain silent or indifferent to their plight. On this day, we call upon Iranian authorities and the international community to:
1. Immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders and political prisoners detained solely for exercising their lawful and legitimate rights.
2. End the suppression of freedom of expression, assembly, and civil activism, which are fundamental human rights and integral to Iran’s international obligations.
3. Establish transparent and independent mechanisms to monitor the human rights situation in Iran, with the involvement of credible international institutions.
Finally, we urge all human rights organizations, civil activists, and citizens worldwide to stand in solidarity and support, amplifying the voices of these silenced prisoners to the global stage. Only through raising awareness and exerting effective pressure can we achieve lasting and meaningful change.