Neglect of Prison Treatment for Imprisoned Labor and Guild Activists by Prison Organization

Reports indicate that imprisoned labor and guild activists continue to be under pressure, and their treatment is not being addressed by the Prison Organization or judicial authorities. The news agency HRANA, the news organ of human rights activists in Iran, reported that Younes Azadbar, a labor activist, has been detained in Lakan Prison in Rasht for over three months despite his poor physical condition. HRANA cited a source close to the family of this imprisoned labor activist, stating that Azadbar suffers from epilepsy and gastrointestinal problems, yet officials have not referred his case to forensic medicine. Younes Azadbar was arrested on July 19 of this year by the IRGC intelligence agents at his home in Sangar, Gilan Province. In a court session held on September 1, he was accused of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), 'propaganda against the regime,' and 'membership in opposition groups,' and he defended himself against these charges in court. HRANA also noted that Maziar Sidenjad, another imprisoned labor activist, is serving his sentence while suffering from heart disease. According to a source close to this political prisoner, 'Mr. Sidenjad suffers from heart disease and, according to doctors, requires specialized treatment.' This labor activist was arrested by security forces at his home in Tehran on June 7, 2021, and was released from Evin Prison on August 16 of the same year after posting bail of 600 million tomans. Maziar Sidenjad was sentenced to two years in prison on suspicion of 'membership in communist groups' and one year for 'propaganda against the regime' in January of last year. Security forces also arrested Reza Aghdasi, a labor activist and a long-time worker who was dismissed from Iran Khodro, on Tuesday, October 24, after he was summoned again to the third branch of Evin's prosecutor's office, with a bail of 500 million tomans, and transferred to Evin Prison. The Free Union of Iranian Workers reported that this labor activist is deaf and has physical limitations and is under the care of treating physicians. Mr. Aghdasi had also been summoned to Evin's prosecutor's office on October 15 and was arrested along with his wife by security forces during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement in the fall of 2022. The prevention or delay in the treatment of prisoners in Iran is one of the methods used by security forces to pressure prisoners and their families, and published reports indicate that this approach has intensified against ideological and political prisoners in recent months. In this regard, several other imprisoned labor and guild activists require continued treatment and care, which the prison organization officials are neglecting. Among them are Reza Shahabi, Davood Razavi, Nasrin Javadi, and Jafar Ebrahimi. The international organization Public Services has expressed support for Iranian workers, stating that human rights must be respected. The physical condition of Nasrin Javadi, an imprisoned labor activist, has worsened. The Council of Global Unions condemned the escalation of human rights violations, labor rights, and civil liberties in Iran. Education International urged Khamenei to grant medical leave to Jafar Ebrahimi and Ismail Abdi. The Tehran Bus Syndicate reported that security officials are preventing surgery for Reza Shahabi. The dire condition of a labor activist in prison, Davood Razavi, is approaching blindness.