Human Rights Watch: Imprisoned Activists in Iran Are Denied Access to Treatment

Human Rights Watch criticized the denial of medical treatment for imprisoned activists in the Islamic Republic, including five political prisoners named Raheleh Rahimipour, Zeinab Jalalian, Varisheh Moradi, Matlab Ahmadian, and Mahvash Sabet. This human rights organization reported, citing two informed sources, that prisoners in Evin prison are suffering from a lack of medical care, while Iranian authorities continuously evade investigations into cases of medical neglect concerning prisoners and holding violators accountable. Nahid Naghashbandi, an Iran researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted the 'severely unfair trials' faced by many of these prisoners, stating that they have been 'not only unjustly imprisoned but also deprived of access to treatment, their right to health has been violated, and their lives are in serious danger.' In this context, Human Rights Watch pointed to Raheleh Rahimipour, a 72-year-old political prisoner suffering from a brain tumor, describing her health issues as 'serious' and adding that her access to special health care has been repeatedly denied. Raheleh Rahimipour, a member of the families of the disappeared and victims in the Islamic Republic's prisons, was arrested in November 2019 and sentenced to six years in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court on charges of 'propaganda against the regime.' Human Rights Watch also mentioned Zeinab Jalalian, a political prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment in Yazd prison, who has been deprived of medical care despite worsening pain on her right side over the past six months. According to this international organization, prison authorities have used severe restrictions on her transfer to the hospital as a means to pressure Zeinab Jalalian into confessing to additional charges. Zeinab Jalalian was arrested in 2007 and sentenced to life imprisonment for 'waging war against God due to her membership in opposition groups (PJAK).' The news agency HRANA reported in August of this year that this political prisoner has been suffering from multiple physical problems for a long time, but judicial authorities have not accepted her requests for hospital transfer. Human Rights Watch also reported on the medical deprivation of Varisheh Moradi, a Kurdish political prisoner in Evin prison, stating that after a death sentence was issued against this political prisoner, Iranian authorities refused to transfer her to the hospital for medical tests. This human rights organization also mentioned Matlab Ahmadian, a Kurdish political prisoner who is serving his fifteenth year in Evin prison and has not received medical attention for his 'serious and potentially fatal' health issues. According to this report, although prison medical staff have acknowledged that they are unable to treat him, his requests for hospital transfer have been rejected. HRANA reported in August of this year that Matlab Ahmadian suffers from ailments including 'stomach and pancreatic ulcers, testicular infections, and spinal injuries.' Human Rights Watch also reported long delays in the medical treatment process for Mahvash Sabet, a 73-year-old Baha'i citizen imprisoned in Evin prison, who underwent open-heart surgery on Wednesday, December 5. Human Rights Watch emphasized, citing 'the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners,' that sick prisoners needing special treatment 'must' be transferred to specialized medical centers or hospitals. Nahid Naghashbandi, an Iran researcher at Human Rights Watch, urged Iranian authorities to ensure immediate access to necessary medical services for all prisoners, adding: 'Depriving prisoners of access to medical care not only violates their human right to health but also endangers their lives.' Human rights organizations and activists have consistently criticized the human rights situation in Iran. The European Union expressed concern about the human rights situation in Iran following the adoption of a resolution by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly against the Islamic Republic on November 21.