Poor Conditions in Iranian Prisons; Political Prisoners Deprived of Adequate Medical Care

The news agency "Hana", the media organ of a human rights activist group in Iran, expressed concern on Saturday, September 1, about the poor conditions of political and sick prisoners in Iran. According to this human rights organization, political prisoners in Iran face alarming and dangerous conditions as they are deprived of access to adequate medical care. Hana writes that this systematic neglect of the basic rights of prisoners, especially sick prisoners, is a clear violation of human rights and Iran's domestic laws. The critical situation of these prisoners has once again raised international concerns regarding human rights violations in Iranian prisons. According to this human rights organization, Iranian prisons have always been recognized as centers for widespread human rights violations, especially the rights of political prisoners. Additionally, it is noted that Mahmoud Sadeghi, a political prisoner, attempted suicide in Shiraz, and Afshin Bayamani was transferred from Qezel Hesar to the hospital with "stroke symptoms". Hana states that in these prisons, which hold political and ideological opponents, many prisoners are often deprived of their basic rights, including access to medical care. The news agency's report examines the poor conditions of political prisoners in Iran, especially sick prisoners, and the legal analysis related to the rights of prisoners within the framework of Iranian laws and the Islamic Republic's international obligations. According to Hana, since the first day after the February 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has used prisons as a tool to suppress opponents. This human rights organization refers to the mass executions of summer 1988 as one of the prominent events in contemporary Iranian history, describing it as a "crime against humanity" and stating that "these executions led to the deaths of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom were killed without a fair trial." Hana writes that what has received less attention in the shadow of the executions of the 1980s is the situation of prisoners and their rights. It is also noted that government agents once again closed the doors of Khavaran to the families of those executed in the 1980s. According to this human rights organization, although thousands of prisoners were executed in the summer of 1988, almost all of them were deprived of various forms of their human rights as prisoners, including the prohibition of torture, the right to medical care, and the respect for human dignity until their execution. Hana states in its report that Iranian prisons continue to be places of systematic violations of prisoners' rights, especially political prisoners. The news agency writes that recent reports indicate that many political prisoners face serious health issues and have been deprived of access to adequate medical care. According to this human rights organization, these deprivations are often used as a tool for further pressure and repression. Hana emphasizes that the violation of prisoners' rights is contrary to the Islamic Republic's constitution, the Iranian government's international obligations, and global human rights laws. In this report, Hana calls on international organizations and the global community to act in a coordinated and decisive manner against human rights violations in Iran. Molavi Abdolhamid: People expect political prisoners to be freed. Roghieh Rezaei: The situation of all prisoners in the prisons of the Islamic Republic is extremely inhumane. Continued pressure on the families of the bereaved; the 15-year-old brother of one of the victims of the Zahedan protests was arrested. The Human Rights Foundation called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Tomaj Salehi. The court session for Zia Nabavi was held on charges of informing about "the secrets of Evin"; defense lawyers: the judge should visit Ward 8. The court session for Ismail Gerami was held on charges of "participating in retirees' protests." Civil activists warn about the "inhumane conditions" of female prisoners: the situation of non-political prisoners is worse. The "No to Execution Tuesdays" campaign announced the joining of prisoners from "Greater Tehran": the government of medical professionals is a "cabinet of repression and execution." Two human rights organizations warn about the "alarming situation" in Iran: immediate international attention is needed.