پیام امید با نشانی نوروز برای زندانیان در سال نو پارسی

A Message of Hope to Mark Nowruz, the Persian New Year

پیام امید با نشانی نوروز برای زندانیان در سال نو پارسی

MARCH 20, 2019

Spring is in the air and for millions of people around the world including Iran; it marks the beginning of a new year. The ancient festival of Nowruz (“new day”) is celebrated at the end of winter with festivities symbolizing rebirth, renewal and the possibility of new beginnings. Many Iranians will ring in the New Year with family get-togethers, delicious food and picnics. But for Iran’s political prisoners, this time of year is particularly painful. Separated from their loved ones and serving long jail terms for peaceful actions, Nowruz, which is marked in Iran with flowers and sweets, can be so bitter.

Iran’s judiciary and security forces believe jail cells can silence these individuals but we won’t let them. Following are excerpts of some of their letters that we’ve translated over the years.

“…My children have grown up. They have changed. They only talk about their father. Their mother has no place in their daily lives… I’m not even in their dreams; I have ceased to exist for them.” – Narges Mohammadi, 16-Year Sentence (of Which She Must Serve 10), Letter to her Children