Political prisoners in Iran are denied access to medical care.
The systematic deprivation of the right to medical treatment of prisoners by the Islamic Republic is politically motivated and must be considered torture.
The wilful denial of medical care to political prisoners, which has long been practised in the Islamic Republic of Iran, is on the increase. The Iranian authorities are thus intensifying the punishment of political opponents. Political prisoners in Iran, who have become vocal critics of the increasing executions and unjust imprisonment in Iran, have become particular targets of state attacks.
Between 1 June and 15 August 2024, at least 34 political prisoners in Iran were systematically denied access to adequate medical care. This denial included preventing access to prescribed medication and treatment and refusing medically necessary transfers to hospitals for treatment outside prison.
Human rights organisations and the United Nations have expressed deep concern about the denial of medical care to prisoners in Iran, which violates the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and has led to the deaths of political and non-political prisoners. The World Medical Association states that the denial of medical services to prisoners is tantamount to torture.
Iranian regulations governing the organisation of the state prison prohibit the denial of medical care and state that ‘the examination and, if necessary, treatment of sick prisoners is the responsibility of the prison or training facility’ and requires the ‘constant monitoring of prisoners for any illnesses and the involvement of the prisoner’s family in the treatment process.
According to Article 502 of the Iranian Code of Criminal Procedure, if the prisoner’s condition so requires, the judicial authorities must order the prisoner to be transferred to an appropriate medical facility outside prison for treatment, and a prisoner’s sentence may be suspended if imprisonment aggravates his illness. Article 29 of the Iranian Constitution declares medical care and treatment to be ‘universal rights’.
These requirements are systematically and routinely ignored by the Iranian authorities, especially in the context of political prisoners.
It should be emphasised at this point that the Iranian state prison organisation and its head of judiciary are responsible for the lives and safety of all prisoners. As prisoners are denied treatment, access to medical specialists and medication, the international community is called upon to hold the Islamic regime accountable for its deliberate and life-threatening denial of medical care.
Therefore, as a human rights organisation, we call on governments worldwide, the United Nations, international human rights organisations and medical associations to demand that the Iranian authorities provide full and adequate care to all sick prisoners without delay, including treatment in centres outside prison whenever necessary.
Vienna, 08.25.2024
Dr. Behrouz Bayat
The Commitee for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran-Austria