Perhaps the Green Movement should be named after Iranian women. Since two weeks ago, the government has started to arrest the Mourning Mothers. They have been gathering at Laleh Park [weekly] to protest the Iranian regime’s brutal oppression of the people. Now, the Mourning Mothers are victims of psychological torture.
The following [text] is based on conversations with a few brave mothers:
On January 9, 2010, ten Mourning Mothers were detained and were placed under extremely violent and inhumane conditions. All of the detained mothers were locked inside one solitary confinement cell no larger than 2×2 metres in size. Due to a lack of space, the mothers were forced to take turns sitting. Five would sit while the other five would stand, and every 30 minutes they would switch spots. Also, the mothers were forced to use the same cell for a bathroom.
Many of the mothers who had to endure the violent acts of humiliation were over 60 years old. Some were unable to move without their cane, and several are suffering from physical illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart complications.
On January 16, 2010, the Mourning Mothers were once again attacked by the police, who arrested 21 individuals; some of which were merely bystanders during the incident. According to witnesses, a plainclothes agent violently forced an older mother inside the police car and punched another mother who was resisting arrest.
The detained mothers were interrogated at Vozara Detention Center. Inhumane methods of psychological torture were used, including undressing the mothers and keeping them [in the same cells] as addicts and other criminals.
The following morning at 8:00 am, the 21 detained mothers were taken to the Revolutionary Court all in one van and without being given access to food or water. The court session lasted until 4:00 pm. After, they were taken back to Vozara Detention Center. According to one of the mothers, they were given a pot of food with some bread upon arrival, but they were not given any spoons, plates, or soap. The 21 hungry mothers had to eat with their unwashed hands from one pot.
The treatment of the mothers slightly improved the following day. This time, they were taken to court with a bus, and after several hours, they were released. Albeit, one woman who was apparently an arrested bystander, was transferred to Evin for being Baha’i. No further information is available on this woman.
Translation by: Xan I.
Persian2English.com
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