WASHINGTON, D.C. — Decades after surviving some of the darkest chapters in Iran’s history, former political prisoners are speaking out—sharing stories of torture, loss and resilience as the war with Iran continues.
Just steps from the White House this week, a candlelight vigil brought together voices that have carried pain for decades. Behind each glow is a story of survival and a past that never truly fades.
“From 1980 to 1988,” said Ali Sadighi, a former political prisoner and a member of the Organization of Iranian American Communities. “It was terrible.”
“It was horrible,” said Majid Robab.
“I was tortured for four years. I cannot describe it, how badly was that,” said Farhad.
Prison in Iran meant years of fear, watching friends disappear, one by one.
“I witnessed lots of people executed each night, some nights more than hundreds,” said Farhad.
Though hard to imagine, treatment was often even harsher for women.
“Women faced double suppression and torture, because of the fact that they were women and the misogynist practice of the regime,” said one woman, also a former political prisoner.
Human rights groups have long documented mass executions of political prisoners in Iran during the 1980s, and even to this day. The events, survivors say, the world cannot ignore.
Even now, decades later, the trauma persists.
“Still, after almost 40 years, my wife is telling me that during sleeping in the night, I’m dreaming, I’m screaming, I’m shouting ‘please leave me alone. Leave me alone,’” said Farhad.
At this vigil—organized by the Organization of Iranian American Communities—survivors are calling for democracy and demanding an end to the regime’s internet and phone blackouts—which they say silences dissent and the regime’s atrocities.
“In any negotiation with Iran, they ask to halt the executions right now, free political prisoners and an open internet,” said Sadighi.
The group is rallying behind the National Council of Resistance of Iran, led by Maryam Rajavi—pushing for a democratic future.
Through decades of trauma, their voices endured. And now, they’re making sure the world hears them.
“But they were not able to break our spirits. That’s why we’re here tonight.”
Advocates say 17 resistance units members have been killed by Iran’s regime this month alone. They say well over 600 have been executed this year. Those executions are in addition to the tens of thousands that are estimated to have been killed by the regime in early 2026.
