Over the past few years, the Iranian government has been harshly criticized by international human right activists, NGOs and writers for violating the rights of prisoners in the country. The exact number of political prisoners has never been disclosed by the Iranian government.
Iranian activist Mahsa Hosseini says the United Nations and international organizations should pay extra attention to the present conditions of political prisoners in Iran.
“Unfortunately neither the Iranian government nor the judiciary respects the rights of political prisoners in the country. Many of these prisoners are jailed without court rulings,” Hosseini told the Master Herald on Thursday.
“On the other hand, in most cases political prisoners are also banned from meeting their families, friends and relatives. This has made conditions even more complicated for them as they cannot receive emotional and spiritual support,” Mahsa Hosseini added.
It is worth mentioning that several political prisoners are currently deprived from hiring experienced lawyers. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer in Iran, was originally arrested for representing imprisoned Iranian opposition activists and politicians.
Following the 2009 presidential elections in Iran, a large number of activists and politicians were detained under the excuse of supporting the Green Movement. Accordingly they are unable to exercise their legal options in Iran’s prisons. Reported abuses usually fall outside of the laws of the Islamic Republic.
The United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Commission have reportedly warned Iran of the state of human rights in the country.
“I believe that not only international organizations but the European governments should also take the necessary steps in order to secure prisoners’ rights in Iran.” Hosseini concluded.
Last month, the European Parliament issued a resolution highlighting the violation of prisoners’ rights in Iran. Members of Iran’s parliament (Majlis) have already condemned the European Union for intervening in Iran’s internal affairs.