Torture in Iran - Nasrin's story

Nasrin Parvaz is an artist, writer, activist and survivor of torture who is speaking out about the abuse and torture that happens in Iran’s regime.

My name is Nasrin, and in the 1980s I spent eight years enduring appalling abuse at the hands of the Iranian regime. I was tortured and threatened with death, and saw my friends executed and tortured. We lived in constant fear of violence. All this for speaking up about my right to freedom.

I was one of the lucky ones because I was able to escape. But once I arrived in the UK, the images of what I had seen haunted me. My mind was filled with their faces, and the sounds and nightmares of prison. 

Through therapy, writing, art and vital support from Freedom from Torture, I was able to slowly recover and rebuild my life. Thanks to their therapists, and legal and welfare advisors, I was able to feel safe and strong again. Their help was a lifeline.

But my heart aches for the people still imprisoned, tortured, and silenced – both in Iran, and around the world. 

Stoking hate and fear through anti-migrant rhetoric

Although life was difficult when I first arrived in the UK, the atmosphere was not openly hostile. Now, the conversation around asylum seekers is more divisive and dehumanising than ever. 

Politicians and the media routinely use people like me as pawns to score political points, delivering hate-filled rhetoric that stokes division and fear, including towards refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls vulnerable to gender-based violence. 

People like me are not responsible for long GP waiting lists, the housing crisis or the rising cost of living. And scapegoating us only fuels division, hate and fear. 

As someone who has fled torture, I can tell you: we come seeking sanctuary. We want to contribute, to rebuild our lives in local communities where we feel secure, so we can work, learn, and raise our families in safety.

We must not turn our backs on refugees

The UK now has a choice: to embrace refugees with humanity and support – many of whom will be women who have fled gender-based violence – or to let fear and prejudice define its response, where dangerous rhetoric and politics are free to breed isolation, mistrust and violence. 

Together, we must reject the politics of fear and division and instead choose compassion, support, and to build communities that welcome, protect, and empower those fleeing torture, war and gender-based violence.

Survivors of torture, especially women who endured gender-based violence, are among the most vulnerable people in the world, but with help they can thrive, rebuild, and reclaim their voices – just like I have.

It is time to stand shoulder to shoulder with those seeking sanctuary, not turn our backs on them.

How Freedom from Torture supports women survivors of torture and gender-based violence

Freedom from Torture supports people who have survived torture, including women who have experienced gender-based violence, to heal, feel safe and strong again.

Our trauma-informed therapists work with women survivors to rebuild their physical and mental health after gender-based violence and torture. Our doctors provide clinical care and document evidence, and our lawyers and welfare advisors help with asylum cases and social support.

Together, we speak out to expose torture and defend the rights of survivors of all genders, holding torturing governments to account, while campaign for women, as well as men and children, to be treated fairly when they seek safety in the UK after being tortured.