Amnesty International: Threat to Accelerate Execution of 10 Hunger-Striking Prisoners in Iran

Amnesty International has expressed concern that Iranian authorities have "threatened to accelerate the execution of 10 Kurdish prisoners in Urmia prison, who are currently on hunger strike." The organization condemned this issue on its website on December 16, calling for an immediate change to the death sentences. Recent reports indicate that "29" political prisoners in Urmia prison have been on hunger strike since late November. Amnesty International has stated that the number of hunger strikers is 24. Previously, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and the human rights activist group HRANA reported that these prisoners, mostly Kurdish, are protesting against "the failure to separate dangerous criminals from political prisoners and the overcrowding in this section," as well as "constant summons and re-filing of cases, transfer to solitary confinement, and threats against their families." Additionally, Amnesty International specifically mentioned Saman Nasim, one of these prisoners, who was reportedly 17 years old at the time of his arrest. His death sentence, along with similar sentences for several other Kurdish detainees, was issued during the last months of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. According to Masoud Kordpour, a journalist in Boukan, these sentences, including Nasim's, were issued in large numbers and in a short period of time. Saman Nasim was sentenced to death for participating in armed activities. Amnesty International has spoken about the torture of Saman Nasim during his detention and holding at the Ministry of Intelligence detention center in Urmia. The organization states that after his fingernails were pulled out and he was severely beaten, leaving bruises on his back, legs, and stomach, he was coerced into signing written confessions blindfolded. According to the organization, Saman Nasim was taken to a clinic three days ago due to low blood pressure and poor physical condition but has refused to end his hunger strike. Amnesty International has called for a fair re-examination of Saman Nasim's case without resorting to the death penalty and avoiding torture for confessions. The organization notes that other prisoners who have gone on hunger strike but have not received death sentences are sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to 34 years.