Mohammad Mahdavifar, like many other human rights activists, has been a political prisoner of the Iranian regime. One of the most famous of these individuals is Narges Mohammadi, who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. These political activists have bravely stood against the oppressive dictatorship of Iran without any financial, political, or legal backing, enduring many hardships in the pursuit of freedom and democracy.
The opportunity to interview Mohammad Mahdavifar, a civil activist, human rights, and former political prisoner was an opportunity not to be missed.
From war veteran to political activism
A veteran of Iran’s war against the deposed dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, Mahdavifar spent many years neutralising war mines. Mohammad Mahdavifar was born in 1969 in Iran. He has been tried, arrested, and exiled many times due to his opposition to the dictatorial system of the Islamic Republic and the leader of Iran.
As a signatory of the ‘Statement of 14 Political Activists’, Mahdavifar publicly called for Ali Khamenei to resign from power, change the constitution of the Islamic Republic to establish democracy, and implement the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Iran.
Championing for freedom from years spent in a cell
Mahdavifar is no stranger to the prospect of prison. He has faced arrest, torture, and incarceration five times. During one period where he was detained, Mahadavir spent a year and a half in solitary confinement under the regime without the right to meet his family or have access to a newspaper telephone, books, and even paper and a pen. Mahdavifar cites that the reason for his long-term solitary confinement is the regime’s way of preventing him from having access to paper and pen to write another protest letter addressed to the leader of Iran.
Mahadavir was once exiled to Sistan and Baluchistan, a region in the southeast of Iran characterised by unfavourable weather, deprivation, and minimal facilities. He has also faced cellmates with mental and dangerous problems who were deliberately placed with him in cramped and dark cells. Evidence suggests that their mission was to kill him, a dirty trick that the bloodthirsty dictator of Iran has repeatedly resorted to regarding political activists.
Using the pen as a sword
Mahdavifar is perhaps most known for his poem Alefba’ (Alphabet), which is a protest against the performance of the Islamic Republic of Iran, however, his writing is not restricted to poetry. He has written 38 open letters addressed to Ayatollah Khamenei, a bold act given that writing even one open letter to the dictator of Iran can result in dangerous and deadly consequences for the author. Mahdavifar wrote many of these 38 letters during his time as a prisoner under the regime’s control.
Following the publication of the 28th letter, Mahdavifar’s mother begged him to stop because she could no longer bear witnessing the arrests and suffering of her protesting child. Mahdavifar’s determination to stand up against the regime meant he was not able to take heed of his mother’s pleas. He published his 29th letter.
He has three sons and one daughter. His wife and one of his sons have been repeatedly detained, interrogated, and tortured by the regime despite any evidence that they had committed any crime. It appears that mere association with Mahdavifar has put his family at risk.
Mahdavifar left Iran in April 2019 and continues his human rights and political activities despite the constant threats from the regime.
Hope for the future
Mr. Mahdavifar, you have been a fearless and tireless fighter. What does hope mean from your point of view as a human rights activist?
You may be sitting alone, resting your head on your knees and lost in contemplation. During my time in solitary confinement, I did not have a bed to sleep and rest. I sat on the floor, leaning against the cell wall. At times, I would stretch my legs and sit on my blanket. Sometimes, I wanted to fold my knees, rest my head on them, close my eyes, and think in the silence of the cell. But I would not do this!
Because there were cameras on both sides of the cell, constantly watching me.
I knew at that moment how many people were sitting behind the monitor of my cell cameras and watching me. I didn’t want them to say, “Mahdavifar is tired, helpless, misses his children, regrets, thinks about his past, and is kneeling in grief.”
Even if my neck and back were tired, and I needed this movement to relieve the fatigue, I still wouldn’t do it. While contemplating, I refrained from placing my hand on my forehead, avoiding any display of sadness or worry. I avoided any sitting that showed weakness, regret, and fear.
It was important to show myself strong, full of strength and endurance at all moments. My first rule in the fight against tyranny is hope and perseverance.
Have you ever had a request from your prison wardens?
The last time, I was in solitary confinement for eight months and ten days, and this was the fifth time that I experienced living in tight and dark cells of a bloody regime.
If you ask the guards or the head of my prison, they will tell you that in all the time that they were my wardens, I never once knocked on the door of my cell. I did not make a demand. I have never shown impatience during detention.
If I called the prison officers several times, it was because my cellmate had a problem and needed help. For example, he had a heart problem, passed out, or a similar problem occurred. I have not demanded anything, and my only request for enduring all that pain and suffering was freedom for humans.
Mohammadi the freedom fighter
Your friend, Narges Mohammadi, has recently been honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize. How would you describe her as a fighter?
Mrs Mohammadi has spent most of her life in prison in the last ten years. She has even spent several times in solitary confinement. She has only taken a leave once or twice, and it was for a short duration.
However, whenever you see her, she is cheerful and powerful. She wears stylish clothes. She sprinkles her hair. Likewise, she speaks powerfully. It does not show any weakness. Do not moan. She does not show herself as poor, thin, desperate, and miserable. She stands firm like a mountain and roars like a lion, a stance that has left the dictator ruler frustrated and hopeless.
What is your opinion on whether Khamenei is losing in the battle against Narges Mohammadi or not?
Narges Mohammadi has left Khamenei’s tyranny with her hair to the wind.
Who would want to see Narges crying, broke, and desperate, other than the dictator? Despite Narges Mohammadi’s illness, she shows remarkable strength. She tells the dictator that if I die in your prison cell, you are responsible for my life. But even if I die, I am not ready to go to the hospital with a compulsory hijab and cover my hair. I will not follow your tyranny.
Narges is like a thorn in the dictator’s side!
We cherish Narges because of her love for us, and her unwavering dedication that extends to risking her life for the well-being of us and our children, for the love of Iran and its future, and the values of people, humanity, and peace.
For many years, Narges has been deprived of embracing her young children. Her children missed the loving care of their mother and impatiently waited to be with her.
Iranians worldwide hold a deep admiration for Narges Mohammadi, valuing her resilience against the dictator.
Narges Mohammadi’s name is embedded in history, symbolizing a steadfast commitment to human rights.
Nobel prize for the many not for the one
Narges Mohammadi and Mohammad Mahdavifar, along with many others, are engaged in a peaceful and civil effort within an unregistered party aimed at overthrowing the regime supporting terrorism in Tehran.
As citizens of progressive and democratic countries, it is incumbent upon us to listen to their calls for justice and hasten to aid these individuals. Ignoring the actions of despots like the leader of Iran can have significant economic and security consequences for the Middle East and the world. Consequences that can easily entangle free countries and provide them with gifts of fire, anger, and terrorism.
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