Zeinab Jalalian, a Kurdish political prisoner and the only woman in Iran serving a life sentence, is reported to be in critical condition. After undergoing fibroid surgery in a hospital in Yazd, she was returned to prison just 24 hours later—before completing her post-operative treatment and against medical advice.
Forced Return After Incomplete Surgery
For years, Jalalian has suffered from severe health complications, including internal bleeding, kidney problems, and chronic pain. In July 2024, she was transferred to the infirmary of Yazd Central Prison due to acute pain but was sent back to her ward without access to specialized medical care and only rudimentary treatment.
Now, in addition to her chronic illnesses, she is facing dermatological complications and overall physical weakness, leaving her in a critical state.
Healthcare Conditional on “Repentance Letter”
Iranian security authorities have repeatedly conditioned her access to specialized medical treatment on signing a so-called “repentance letter.” In June 2024, intelligence agents told her that hospital transfer would only be possible if she agreed to write such a statement—an ultimatum she firmly rejected, stressing that medical care is her fundamental human right. Similar pressures were reported in November 2023 as well.
According to UN Special Rapporteurs, the continuation of her imprisonment without proper medical care could have irreparable consequences for her life. They underscored that “time is of the essence” and any further delay in treatment could result in her death.
Who is Zeinab Jalalian?
Zeinab Jalalian was arrested in 2007 and, in 2009, was sentenced to one year in prison for illegal border crossing. Additionally, she was sentenced to death on charges of “enmity against God” for alleged membership in opposition groups. Her death sentence was upheld by the appeals court and the Supreme Court but later commuted to life imprisonment.
She has repeatedly stated that during her detention, she was subjected to severe torture, including being flogged on the soles of her feet, punched in the stomach, having her head slammed against walls, and being threatened with sexual assault.
