GENEVA – UN human rights experts have expressed serious concern over Iran’s continued refusal to provide timely and adequate healthcare to human rights defender Narges Mohammadi and other detainees. Despite multiple appeals, the Iranian government has failed to address the deteriorating health conditions of these prisoners.
“We have communicated our deep concerns about the physical and mental well-being of Narges Mohammadi to the Iranian authorities,” the experts said. “We once again urge Iran to release her immediately and ensure she receives full medical treatment without further delay, along with other detainees in similar situations.”
Mohammadi has been suffering from severe back and knee pain, including a herniated spinal disc, for the past eight months. Medical specialists, as well as MRI and CT scan results, have confirmed the seriousness of her condition. Despite this, she has not received the necessary medical attention.
On 6 August 2024, Mohammadi reportedly endured physical violence while in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. She allegedly lost consciousness and sustained injuries to her ribcage and other parts of her body. Following the incident, Mohammadi requested access to her lawyer to file a complaint and sought a forensic examination of her injuries. However, both requests were denied by the prison authorities.
“The denial of medical care appears to be a method used to punish and silence Mohammadi within the prison walls,” the experts stated. “These reports raise significant concerns about her right to health and physical well-being.”
The experts emphasized that the Iranian government has a responsibility to ensure the healthcare of prisoners and must not expose them to ill-treatment. They reminded Iran of its obligations as a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “Prisoners have the right to receive healthcare equivalent to that available in the community and must be granted prompt access to medical attention in urgent cases,” they said.
The experts also highlighted a pattern of ill-treatment among Iranian detainees, citing the cases of Fatemeh Sepehri, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Davood Razavi, Hasan Saeedi, and Reza Shahabi Zakaria, all of whom have been denied appropriate healthcare despite urgent medical needs.
“We renew our calls for the immediate release of human rights defenders and all individuals arbitrarily detained in Iranian prisons,” the experts concluded.