New Campaign: Ten Days With Bahareh

A group of women and student activists have launched a campaign for the release of Bahareh Hedayat, a symbol of the student movement who has been serving a near-10-year prison sentence at Evin Prison’s Women’s Ward.

Launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the “Ten Days With Bahareh Campaign” will dedicate each day to highlighting specific aspects of Hedayat’s activities and character.

“We hope that on these days the people of Iran, the country’s leaders and the international community will pay attention to Bahareh’s situation,” the group said in a statement.

“Join us on this path and add your voice to the Ten Days With Bahareh Campaign. Ten years [in prison] is not a number. It is a lifetime.”

The statement noted that according to Article 134 of the new Islamic Penal Code, Hedayat is eligible for release after serving half her prison term.

Since the start of the campaign, former student activists and cellmates have written posts about Hedayat, including Jila Baniyaghoob, a journalist who spent time with her in prison.

In her blog, Baniyaghoob wrote: “Bahareh, you escorted many out of that big prison, Evin. They got out and you stayed. Still you are happy for others who are going home. You quickly pack their bags, hold their hand and walk them to the Ward office, singing the song of freedom…. When will it be your turn to go home, Bahareh?”

Hedayat, 32, was a spokesperson and Central Council member of Daftar-e Tahkim-e Vahdat student organization when she was arrested in December 2009 in connection with protests following the disputed presidential elections. She was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for, among other charges, “insulting the Supreme Leader and the President,” as well as “acting against national security.”

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran