UN Special Rapporteur warns of the danger of the death of prisoners of conscience on hunger strike

According to the report of the Kurdistan Human Rights Association and Reports, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, Asma Jahangir, expressed his deep concern about the situation of prisoners in protest of the compulsory transfer to the Supreme Security Division of the Rajei Shahr Prison of Karaj And the way the prison guards treated them hunger strike.

Asma Jahangir said in a statement that “Reports of the grave health of the strike prisoners and the persistence of torture and ill-treatment since they were transferred to the new ward has made me worried.” Over the past few weeks, 53 prisoners, including more than 15 Baha’is have been transferred to a new hall in prison without notice or information on the reasons for the transfer. During the transfer, none of these detainees were allowed to bring their personal belongings, including their medications.

In addition, there are numerous reports that these prisoners have been deprived of the right to access to cleaners, clothing, essential medical care and food purchased with their money. “Depriving detainees from contact with their families and their lawyers and access to medical care is against international law,” she added. “I call on the Iranian government, through a good-faith dialogue, on the complaints and violations of human rights of prisoners. Ensuring respect for and full adherence to the fundamental rights of detainees and thus finds a solution to the current worrying situation caused by the hunger strike of prisoners.

The statement was endorsed by Dennis Pouris, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of individuals to access the highest standards of physical and mental health, and Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion and belief.

Kurdistan Human Rights Association