Surviving Evin Prison - 30 May 2024

Our Secretary attended the exhibition 'Surviving Evin Prison' given by Anoosheh Ashoori and Amnesty International in Hoxton Arches. Both Anoosheh and Sena from the Amnesty team were present as hosts.  The exhibition covered Anoosheh's experience in detail from the shock of his arrest in Iran, subsequent mistreatment and cell conditions and his eventual release. Anoosheh was very willing to answer questions about his detention.

Anoosheh came across as extremely modest in spite of the resolve and determination he must have needed. In prison he was part of a poetry society, created marquetry and also a bower  'Ashoori's Corner' where he grew vines from seeds given by a fellow inmate. The final Ashoori's Corner (the first two were destroyed by guards, who seemed to realise that he would just continue to build replacements) stood for two years. The presence of many highly educated political prisoners has lent Evin Prison the affectionate name Evin University.

Anoosheh cited a long-term prisoner's five rules to survive Evin Prison: Eat well/Sleep well/Exercise/Read and Learn/Avoid Negative People.

Two quotes that inspired him were:
'When we can no longer change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves' (Viktor Frankl) and
'Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional' (Haruki Murakami) 
 
In spite of all this he experienced dark days when it was difficult to persevere. He mentioned his family, Amnesty International, Hostage International, his MP and support from members of the public as helping him at such times. 

Mindful as ever of others, Anoosheh's exhibition concluded with a section on Mehran Raoof and Alaa Abdelfattah (British nationals still imprisoned in Evin Prison Iran and Egypt respectively) reminding attendees of the UK Government's failure to take urgent action in the past and the ongoing lack of a coherent strategy for dealing effectively with such cases.