On November 9, the municipality of Villiers-Adam, France, paid tribute to Maryam Akbari Monfared, one of Iran’s most prominent political prisoners, by displaying a large banner on its city hall for two weeks. Titled “Courage Against Injustice,” the poster highlighted Akbari Monfared’s 15 years of imprisonment for seeking justice for her siblings executed by Iran’s regime. It also called for support for political prisoners in Iran, emphasizing the country’s alarming record of 678 executions in 2024.
The banner shed light on Akbari Monfared’s enduring struggle, noting the regime’s relentless attempts to silence her, including denying her even a single day of furlough and extending her prison term beyond the initial 15-year sentence. Her imprisonment began in 2009 after her arrest during mass protests against the regime’s presidential sham elections. She was sentenced to 15 years by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God” due to alleged ties to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
The regime’s true target, however, has been her quest for accountability. In 2016, Akbari Monfared filed a formal complaint demanding an investigation into the executions of her siblings, including two who were killed during the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. Her call for justice drew international attention but also intensified the regime’s reprisals against her, including fabricated charges to extend her sentence.
The display in Villiers-Adam is a stark reminder of the Iranian regime’s systemic human rights abuses and its crackdown on dissent. It also reflects the growing global recognition of individuals like Akbari Monfared, whose resilience and courage inspire continued calls for justice and accountability. As international voices rally behind her, the tribute in France underscores the urgent need to support Iran’s political prisoners and confront the regime’s widespread violations of human rights.
Bruno Mace, mayor of Villiers-Adam, pays tribute to political prisoners in Iran by exposing a picture of Maryam Akbari Monfared.
Maryam Akbari Monfared finished her 15 years of imprisonment without a single day of furlough on October 12, 2024. She spent the last four years of… pic.twitter.com/00PmlgnJxZ
— Women's Committee NCRI (@womenncri) November 22, 2024
Who is Maryam Akbari Monfared?
Maryam Akbari Monfared’s life has been a testament to unyielding courage and spiritual fortitude. Arrested in 2009 for her participation in the Ashura protests, she endured a hasty trial by the notorious Judge Abolqasem Salavati, who sentenced her to 15 years in prison on charges of “enmity against God.” Her “crime” was not violence or wrongdoing, but her refusal to remain silent about the unjust executions of her siblings, four of whom were killed by the regime during its brutal crackdowns in the 1980s.
Throughout her imprisonment, Maryam has faced extreme physical and emotional hardships. She has been denied even a single day of furlough, despite serious health issues and the need to care for her three daughters. Her transfer to a remote prison in Semnan in 2021, far from her family, only added to the cruelty of her incarceration. Yet, even in the face of such adversity, Maryam has shown remarkable spiritual resilience. Her letters from prison reflect her unbroken resolve and a deep belief in justice and human dignity.
In one of her poignant letters, she wrote, “Should I apologize for the fact that you have kept me away from my three daughters for nearly eight years? Should I apologize for my siblings being executed by you?” These words, full of defiance and moral clarity, resonate with many Iranians who see her as a symbol of hope and justice. Maryam’s refusal to bargain her principles for freedom, even when promised release in exchange for silence, underscores her spiritual strength and unwavering dedication to her cause.
