Zahra Bani Yaghoub

Photo of Zahra Bani Yaghoub at graduation

Zahra Bani Yaghoub (1980 – 2007) was an Iranian medical student whose death in custody raised significant concerns about human rights and the treatment of detainees in Iran.

Early Life and Education

Zahra Bani Yaghoub was born in 1980 in Hamadan, Iran. She pursued her education in medicine and was a dedicated medical student at the time of her death. Her commitment to healthcare and her promising future as a physician were cut short under tragic circumstances.

Arrest and Death

On October 12, 2007, Zahra Bani Yaghoub was arrested by the Iranian police while she was in a park with her fiancé. The official reason for her arrest was cited as "improper hijab" and being in public with a man who was not a relative. She was taken to a detention center in Hamedan.

Two days later, on October 14, 2007, Zahra Bani Yaghoub was found dead in her cell. The authorities claimed that she had committed suicide by hanging herself. However, her family and human rights organizations disputed this claim, suggesting that she may have been subjected to torture or other forms of mistreatment while in custody.

Investigation and Controversy

The death of Zahra Bani Yaghoub sparked widespread outrage and calls for an independent investigation. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, demanded transparency and accountability from the Iranian government. Despite these calls, the investigation into her death was marred by inconsistencies and a lack of transparency.

Her case highlighted the broader issues of women's rights and the treatment of detainees in Iran. It also brought attention to the conditions in Iranian detention centers and the use of charges related to "improper hijab" to target and detain women.

Legacy

Zahra Bani Yaghoub's death remains a symbol of the struggle for human rights and justice in Iran. Her case continues to be referenced by activists and organizations advocating for the rights of detainees and the need for reform in the Iranian judicial and penal systems.

See Also

• Human rights in Iran
• Women's rights in Iran
• Death in custody
• Iranian judicial system