When Hospitals Became Traps
During the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising in Iran, we were confronted with a stark reality: silence was no longer an option. As security forces turned hospitals into surveillance zones—where wounded protesters were arrested or disappeared—many became too afraid to seek medical help through official channels. In response to this urgent crisis, we helped coordinate a grassroots medical network in the Kurdish region of Iran.
Working with over 15 nurses and physicians, we established an informal emergency system to safely treat injured protesters. Our network sourced and delivered medical supplies from nearby cities, set up discreet care points, and worked to protect both patients and providers from state repression.
This work was documented in The Lancet. Later, drawing on the evidence, footage, and testimonies gathered by our network, we contributed to the reporting of the article titled ‘Iranian forces shooting at faces and genitals of female protesters, medics say’ published in The Guardian.
Link to The Guardian article:
