UN Special Rapporteur Urges Iran Regime to Release All Prisoners, as Coronavirus Spreads Across Country, Taking Lives of Over 3,300

Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran
Written by Mansoureh Galestan

As the coronavirus claims over 3,300 lives in Iran and spreads across Iranian prisons, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, urged the regime on Tuesday to release all prisoners.

Mr. Rehman said on Tuesday he had asked the regime to free all prisoners temporarily, saying it is “unfortunate and disturbing” that the regime continues to hold political prisoners amid the coronavirus outbreak.

According to reports published by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, Mujahedin-e Khalq or MEK), due to the regime’s cover-up and inaction, the coronavirus has spread to over 149 cities, taking the lives of over 3,300 people. MEK reports also confirm the spread of the COVID-19 in Iranian prisons, as the regime fails to take necessary preventive measures.

NCRI-FAC

@iran_policy
Iran: #Coronavirus Death Toll Surpasses 3,300 in 149 Cities, including Qom 520, Gilan 510, Tehran 500, Alborz 140, Qazvin 104, Mazandaran 200, Khorasan Razavi 302, Golestan 276, Kermanshah 110, Khuzestan 108, Fars 106, Lorestan 82, … #COVID19 https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/human-rights/27535-iran-coronavirus-death-toll-surpasses-3-300-in-149-cities …

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22:33 – 11 Mar 2020
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In this regard, when asked about the regime handling this crisis, the UN Special Rapporteur said: “In my estimation the state has done too little and too late.”

Rehman also described the pace of the spread of the virus within Iran as “highly disturbing” and criticized containment measures carried out by the authorities.

According to reports published by the MEK, at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, political prisoners have been transferred to a ward housing virus-infected inmates.

Parvaneh Salahshuri, a regime member of parliament, admitted on Wednesday: “All prisoners are endangered due to the widespread outbreak of Coronavirus in Iran… while generally, the hygienic and sanitary conditions in prisons are unacceptable.”

Political prisoner Soheil Arabi, currently detained in the Greater Tehran Penitentiary, wrote a letter from prison, pointing to the threats of coronavirus and drugs posed to those arrested during the Iran protests in November.

“Those arrested in November 2019 are being detained today alongside graft convicts, drug salesmen, robbers, etc. In addition to being hunted by drug sellers, these oppressed young men are now in danger of contracting the Coronavirus,” wrote Mr. Arabi.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), reiterated: “Due to the inhumane conditions of the prisons, prisoners, especially political prisoners must be released immediately without any bail or conditions, otherwise Coronavirus outbreak will cause a human catastrophe in prisons.”

Maryam Rajavi

@Maryam_Rajavi
Due to inhuman conditions in the regime’s jails in #Iran, prisoners and particularly the political prisoners must be released immediately, unconditionally and without asking for bail, otherwise all prisoners would die of the #Coronavirus.

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20:20 – 11 Mar 2020
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Mrs. Rajavi also warned of the deteriorating plight of the Sunni compatriots in areas such as Gonbad-Kavus (northeast Iran). “Sunni residents in city, including 500 villages, are subjected to dual pressure. They are suffering from the lack of any medical and hygiene facilities. Dozens of them have already lost their lives. The World Health Organization, therefore, must in particular help these disadvantaged people because the regime will do nothing for them,” she added.

Maryam Rajavi

@Maryam_Rajavi
· 11 Mar 2020
Replying to @Maryam_Rajavi
Sunni citizens are in dire conditions in cities like Gonbad Kavous. The clerical regime viciously discriminates against this county which includes 500 villages and is short of essential medical resources and hygienic items #COVID19 #CoronaOutbreak

Maryam Rajavi

@Maryam_Rajavi
Dozens of Sunni citizens in Gonbad Kavous have died so far. The World Health Organization must pay special attention and rush to the aid of the deprived people of Gonbad Kavous and our Sunni compatriots because the clerical regime would not do anything for them #COVID19 #Iran

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20:21 – 11 Mar 2020
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