Welcome to this episode of the NCRI Women’s Committee podcast where we uncover one of the darkest facets of human rights abuse within the prison system of the Iranian regime which has victimized many women.

The regime's treatment of political prisoners has always been harsh. Some reports reveal an even more sinister strategy: forcing illness and breaking prisoners through brutal tactics that often lead to irreversible health damage—or worse. Today, we’ll dive into these practices and bring to light the voices of those who have endured the unimaginable.

To anyone who has followed Iran’s recent history, the stories of political prisoners are already gut-wrenching. But what we're talking about today is a method of control that goes beyond physical and psychological torture. Prisoners who resist the regime or refuse to cooperate face medical torture: they’re given injections or forced to take pills, often leading to chronic autoimmune diseases or mental breakdowns. These are not isolated cases—this is a systematic campaign to destroy the bodies and spirits of dissidents.

The term some have used is “biological assassination.” Think about that for a moment. These prisoners are not just being silenced; they’re being slowly dismantled from the inside. Some are given drugs that disrupt their immune systems, leading to diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus. And for those who resist even further? The regime escalates with psychoactive drugs that induce total psychological collapse, making even the strongest individuals weak and vulnerable.

In this episode, we’re going to discuss the controversial new hijab bill, which many are calling a violation of Iranian women’s fundamental human rights.

This bill, which has stirred both domestic and international outrage, was actually approved by the Guardian Council about a month ago. One of the parliament members had already announced it back on September 17, but the government still hasn’t moved forward with its implementation. Then, just recently on October 19, the Guardian Council’s spokesperson again confirmed at a news conference that the bill is officially approved.

The bill enforces stricter penalties on women who refuse to comply with the mandatory hijab. It turns the regime’s repressive hijab regulations into law, with a range of punishments including fines, prison sentences, and restrictions on education and employment for women who don’t comply with the mandatory dress code. This also extends to banning services to unveiled women and even implementing gender segregation in parks, hospitals, and universities.
The UN has condemned the bill, calling it gender apartheid.

Welcome to this episode of the NCRI Women’s Committee Podcast, where we shine a light on the suffering and struggle of women in Iran.

Today, we’re focusing on a critical issue in Iran’s healthcare sector that has been escalating in recent months. Nurses across the country have been speaking out, not only in protests but also through a concerning rise in resignations and emigration.

The situation for Iranian nurses has been dire for years, but this past summer saw a tipping point. Their demands for fair pay, humane working conditions, and an end to mandatory overtime have been ignored by the government for far too long. And with hundreds of nurses leaving every month, Iran’s healthcare system is under immense pressure.

Let’s start with some background. Iranian nurses have been vocal about their working conditions for quite some time. Nursing is a physically and mentally demanding job, but in Iran, it’s taken to another level.

Many nurses are forced to work two consecutive shifts just to make ends meet, only to find themselves still below the poverty line. And then, there’s the chronic shortage of nursing staff.

Iran currently has a severe shortage of nurses—around 100,000 fewer than needed. This gap has led to unbearable working hours for those who remain, which explains the steady rise in emigration. Each year, thousands of nurses seek better conditions abroad. Some reports even state that up to 3,000 nurses have left annually.

These working conditions have a tragic human cost, too. In August, we saw protests erupt after the heartbreaking death of Parvaneh Mandani, a 32-year-old nurse from Fars Province. She collapsed and passed away due to overwork, which the media described as a case of "Karoshi syndrome" or death from overwork—a term more common in countries like Japan but now becoming tragically relevant in Iran.

In this episode, we’re going to discuss a subject that doesn’t get enough attention: the emotional and psychological torture inflicted on political prisoners in Iran, especially through forced divorces.

The clerical regime in Iran has been using forced divorce as a psychological weapon against political prisoners. Why is it such a prevalent method?

Compelling political prisoners or their spouses to divorce is a common method of psychological torture used as a tool to weaken and break political prisoners by tearing apart their families. It’s also a message to others who might be pondering opposition to the regime.

Today, we're discussing a grave issue unfolding in Iran: the alarming rise in executions and the courageous hunger strike protest by political prisoners and prisoners across the country, including the female political prisoners who are actively involved despite enduring great hardships and punitive measures by prison authorities.

Let's start by talking about the recent spike in executions in Iran.

Since the inauguration of the Iranian regime’s new president and his cabinet, there’s been a disturbing increase in executions. Between July 22 and August 31, at least 138 people were executed, including nine women and two political prisoners.

This surge is part of a broader strategy by the regime to instill fear and suppress any potential uprisings. The most shocking event was the mass execution of 29 individuals on August 7, with 26 hanged simultaneously in Ghezel Hesar Prison. Additionally, the regime resumed public executions, a practice not seen since December 2022.

Today, we’ll be discussing the ongoing protests by Iranian nurses, who are courageously standing up against harsh economic conditions, low wages, and difficult working conditions.

We'll also touch on the broader healthcare crisis in Iran. We hope you find this episode both informative and engaging.
The situation in Iran’s healthcare system is extremely troubling. Economic instability, low wages, and forced overtime are pushing both doctors and nurses to their limits. Nurses earn as little as $4 for an eight-hour shift, and many are considering alternative jobs, like driving for ride-hailing apps, to make ends meet. Doctors aren’t much better off, with consultation fees so low they barely cover basic living expenses. This has led to a mass exodus of healthcare professionals, leaving the system in a precarious state. In the past year alone, about 3,000 nurses have left the country.

The rate of emigration among Iranian nurses has surged dramatically. In 2021, an average of 100 to 150 nurses left the country each month. By 2024, that number had jumped to 300 per month. This exodus has led to mass resignations in hospitals nationwide, worsening an already dire situation.

In this episode, we're going to discuss the rising executions of women and the nationwide protests, particularly in the women's wards, against the death penalty.
Just recently, on the morning of July 27, 2024, a woman was among four prisoners hanged in the Central Prison of Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan Province in western Iran. This execution marked the 15th woman executed in Iran since January 2024. The alarming rate of these executions is highlighted by the fact that at least five women were put to death in just one week, from July 21 to July 27. This rapid increase points to a disturbing trend of rising executions, particularly targeting women.
Political prisoners, especially women, have been very active in protesting these executions. In the women's ward of Evin Prison, where many political prisoners are held, there have been several protests and sit-ins over the past month.

Recently, the Iranian regime has a new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in an election boycotted by a staggering 91 percent of the Iranian population. The big question we're exploring today is: will this bring any change for the women of Iran? That's what we'll be delving into in this episode.

Who is Masoud Pezeshkian and what’s his background?

Masoud Pezeshkian, a general surgeon by profession, was born in 1954 in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan. His political career spans several decades, featuring some high-profile positions within the Iranian regime. Before becoming president, he was best known for his role as the Minister of Health under Mohammad Khatami. Pezeshkian has also served five terms in the mullahs’ parliament from 2008 to 2024.

He is referred to as a reformist? Is that true or just a myth?

Well, some people have tried to paint him as a reformist figure. But if you take a closer look at his background, actions, and stances, it tells a different story. He's been a staunch supporter of the regime’s core principles and practices from the start, especially when it comes to women’s freedom of choice. The most telling sign is his proclamation that he won’t change course and will continue the policies of his notorious predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi.