Human Rights Organizations Report Violations of 'Mandela Rules' in Iranian Prisons; Conditions for Prisoners are 'Inhuman'

The news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran reported that there are severe violations of the 'Mandela Rules' in the prisons of the Islamic Republic, stating that prisoners in Iran are kept in inhuman conditions and subjected to 'abuse of power'. The 'Mandela Rules' are the minimum international standards for the treatment of prisoners, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 and communicated to all countries. According to the report by HRANA, based on testimonies from current and former prisoners of Evin, Rajai Shahr, Vakilabad in Mashhad, Qezel Hesar in Karaj, Qarchak in Varamin, and Adelabad in Shiraz, prisoners are handed over to officials who commonly treat them with degrading and violent behavior. The report indicates that prisoners also suffer from poor health and medical conditions and have limited access to medical services, with the prison system failing to meet their nutritional and sanitary needs and uphold their human rights. The Human Rights Activists in Iran also reported that some prison guards exacerbate conditions for prisoners through degrading behavior and abuse of power. These activists called on the international community and human rights organizations to take immediate action to improve prison conditions in Iran and compel the Islamic Republic authorities to adhere to international human rights standards and ensure humane treatment of prisoners. The latest report from an organization monitoring human rights violations in Iran also shows that at least four women were executed in the Islamic Republic's prisons between April 30 and May 30, and at least 13 cases of femicide were reported. The Hengaw website reported on Tuesday, June 4, based on its documentation, that during May 2024, leading up to June 4 in the solar calendar, in addition to the execution of at least four women in the Islamic Republic's prisons, 14 female activists were arrested, and 17 female activists were sentenced to imprisonment by the judiciary. According to this report, during this period, at least 13 cases of femicide were recorded in various cities of Iran. According to Hengaw's report, Fariba Mohammadzehi from Zahedan and Parvin Mousavi from Maragheh were executed in Kerman and Urmia prisons in connection with drug-related offenses. Additionally, a woman named Razieh, 31 years old from Mashhad, was executed for 'premeditated murder' in Vakilabad prison in that city. Fatemeh Abdollahi, 27 years old from Nishapur, was also executed in the central prison of that city for 'premeditated murder'. According to this report, the arrest of at least 14 female activists in Iranian cities accounted for 10% of total arrests during the month. The deprivation of Kamal Lotfi from medical services and the denial of visitation rights to Sousan Hassanzadeh; pressure on political prisoners continues. Monthly report from the human rights organization on the violation of women's rights in Iran: execution, femicide, arrest, and imprisonment.