Additional Name(s): Yasaman Ariyani, یاسمن آریانی
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Unspecified/Other
Health Concerns: Contracted COVID-19
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Appeal: Reduced to 5 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April//2019
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Appearance Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights
Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Immorality Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Yasaman Ariani was imprisoned for her women’s rights activism against compulsory religious veiling.
In April 2019, authorities arrested Ariani for protesting compulsory hijab after she was caught on video handing out flowers on the metro while not wearing a hijab.
In July 2019, a Tehran court sentenced Ariani to one year in prison for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC), five years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and ten years in prison for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC).
In February 2020, an appeals court reportedly resentenced Ariani to seven months in prison for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC), three years and six months in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and five years and six months in prison for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC). Ariani is expected to serve five years and six months in prison as the sentences run concurrently.
In November 2020, Ariani reportedly contracted COVID-19.
In July 2021, Ariani was granted a short leave from prison. She returned to prison afterwards.
On February 15, 2023, it was reported that Ariani had been released from prison.
Ariani had been subjected to attacks by fellow inmates on multiple occasions while imprisoned.
HRANA English, Tweet, February 15, 2023
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Iran in 2022 July 2022
USCIRF Spotlight Podcast: Religious Prisoners of Conscience in Iran June 2022
“Yasaman Ariani” United for Iran
“یاسمن آریانی، زندانی مدنی به مرخصی کوتاهمدت آمد” Voice of America (VOA)
“Female civil rights activist beaten by common criminals in prison” Iran Human Rights Monitor
“Iran Court Upholds Long Prison Sentences Of Anti-Hijab Women Activists” Radio Farda
“Iran: Release women’s rights defenders detained for peacefully protesting against forced veiling” Amnesty International
“Iranian Women Rebel Against Dress Code” Human Rights Watch