Severe Violations Confirmed at Karaj Mental Health Facility; Welfare Organization: License Revoked

The Welfare Organization confirmed after the director of the 'Campaign for the Disabled' reported incidents of assault, rape, physical abuse, and exorbitant fees at the 'Mahr-Afarin Mental Health Facility for Men in Karaj' that these violations were true, announcing that the facility's license was 'revoked' and the institution has been 'permanently closed.' According to the state news agency 'IRNA,' the Welfare Organization of Alborz Province claimed that over the past months, 'inspections and oversight by specialized experts and supervisory teams' as well as 'reports received from families of the disabled' indicated that this facility had committed 'multiple violations.' The government agency did not address why this facility had continued to operate until now, stating: 'Numerous oversight procedures have been undertaken to protect the rights of the residents, and several warnings and notices have been issued according to laws and regulations to rectify the issues and improve the existing processes.' Furthermore, it is noted that according to a certificate published and explanations on the institution's website, this treatment center had been rated as 'excellent and first-class' since its establishment and 'during annual evaluations conducted' by experts from the Welfare Organization, the Ministry of Health and Treatment, and the Association of Mental Patients. Behrouz Marouti, the director of the Campaign for the Disabled, had reported on March 6 through a video on social media 'X' about illegal activities such as 'assault, rape, physical abuse, and the collection of unreasonable fees' at this facility for the disabled and called for accountability from government and judicial institutions of the Islamic Republic. The Mahr-Afarin Mental Health Facility was privately managed under the supervision of the Welfare Organization. The Welfare Organization of Alborz Province announced in part of its statement regarding this facility that it had taken action to 'revoke the operating license and permanently close' this institution by forming a 'Commission under Article 26' as per Note 6 of Article 58 (guidelines for the establishment, management, and dissolution of non-governmental centers and institutions under the supervision of the Welfare Organization). Additionally, the release of a video showing inappropriate, unethical, and violent treatment of disabled individuals and mental health patients hospitalized at this facility has led to increased critical reactions towards the government agencies overseeing their performance. According to the Welfare Organization of Alborz, the Mahr-Afarin facility in Mehrshahr, Karaj, has been 'completely sealed, and the officials of this center have been summoned for the continuation of the legal process by the respected judicial authorities.' Disabled individuals and mental health patients in Iran have consistently protested against the conditions of some treatment and care centers, shortages of medication, inadequate insurance, job conditions, and low levels of public and government support services, and in some cases, have held protest gatherings. This is not the first time such incidents have been revealed in care facilities for the disabled in Iran.