Mawlawi Abdolhamid: Prisoners Should Not Be 'Insulted and Humiliated'; Severe Security Atmosphere in Zahedan

As a security atmosphere is established in Zahedan, Mawlawi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, called for a reconsideration of governance methods, better treatment of prisoners, and attention to the expectations and thoughts of women and youth in society. In his Friday sermon on December 1, he stated that respect should be given to prisoners and detainees. Mawlawi Abdolhamid emphasized that the dignity of all individuals must be respected and that prisoners should not be subjected to 'insult and humiliation.' The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly recently condemned widespread human rights violations by the Islamic Republic in a resolution. Mawlawi Abdolhamid also deemed the use of past methods by the government as ineffective, stating: 'Today, a new mechanism is needed,' and 'laws, policies, and methods must change.' He added that the conditions of the world have changed, and if the authorities do not adapt to these changes and reconsider their methods, 'the people will separate from us.' The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan further noted that the expectations and beliefs of women and youth in the country differ from the past, asserting that today's women have different thoughts than those of women in the past and that the perspectives of women, youth, and the entire community must be acknowledged. He also described the scope of religion as 'limited,' adding that in a large country with diverse thoughts, views, religions, and sects, a single religious perspective is insufficient. On the same day, images of military and security forces deployed around Maki Mosque and the prayer hall in Zahedan were shared on social media. Based on reports from December 1, 2023, Zahedan worshippers once again held a silent march after Friday prayers. Since the shooting of worshippers in Zahedan on September 30, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people and injuries to hundreds more, protest marches have been held weekly after Friday prayers in Zahedan. So far, the efforts of the Islamic Republic's forces to prevent the holding of protest Fridays in Zahedan have been unsuccessful, although sometimes, for the safety of attendees and at the request of Mawlawi Abdolhamid, these marches are held in silence. The tightening of the security ring to prevent protest Fridays in Zahedan continues, along with Mawlawi Abdolhamid's ongoing criticisms. The funeral of three political prisoners from Baluchistan executed on November 13 in Zahedan, the equipping of law enforcement in Sistan and Baluchistan with armored vehicles, and statements from officials indicating that these vehicles are being deployed for suppression have also been reported.