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“We are worn out but [are] neither bent nor broken. We continue
to stand erect, although with wounded and restless hearts. We bear witness to
the efforts of dictators looting a fertile land nurtured by the selfless
sacrifices of past and present generations.”
Meet BAHAREH HEDAYAT.
Bahareh is a 31-year-old
Iranian women’s and student rights activist. She is currently
serving a nine and a
half year prison sentence for speaking out against the violations of the rights
of students following the 2009 presidential elections in
Bahareh is part of the generation of Iranians born after the
Revolution of 1979—who now constitute the majority of the population. Like many
in her generation, she came of age at a time when there was a promise of
reform, with a high value on personal freedoms and rights. After being admitted
to the
A year into her education, Bahareh was elected as a committee
member of the student union. Shortly after, she joined the national student
organization called the ‘Office for Strengthening Unity’ to advocate for
political reform. In 2003 Bahareh was an active member of the student movement
protesting against the execution of a university instructor.
Bahareh united her student activism with her women’s rights
activism in the creation of the Women’s Commission in the
‘Office for Strengthening Unity’. The Commission was set up with the aim of
increasing female student participation in campus union and student
organizations. She was determined to amplify the voice of female
students, who comprise 65% of all university students in
Her fearless activism put her on the frontlines of a violent
crackdown. Following the disputed national elections in 2009, security
officials stormed the student dormitories. Many students were beaten,
arrested, and reportedly killed. Bahareh
was outspoken in demanding accountability from the government for these human
rights violations. Bahareh was arrested for the third time on
December 31, 2009 and sentenced to almost a decade in prison. This is one of the heaviest sentences
ever given to a women’s rights activist or student activist.
Prior to her arrest, Bahareh was a newlywed with dreams of
starting a family. Bahareh has sacrificed that dream, and now faces years in
prison for the simple act of advocating for the rights of her fellow Iranians.
Bahareh is a remarkable woman who remains hopeful for the
future:
“Sadness and loneliness have no place in my heart because our
empathy for each other is untainted. These perpetual, sad and cold days and
nights will surely end... There is no doubt in my mind that [we have a] bright
future; we will breathe in a free country while celebrating our liberty
together. We must believe in this and stand up like before, informed and
hopeful.”