Days after the bombing of Evin Prison by the Israeli regime, there is still no accurate count of casualties or injuries from the attack. The devastating attack on Evin Prison in broad daylight, at a time when families and visitors were coming and going, is an inhumane act and a clear violation of human rights and international law. No excuse can justify an attack on a facility holding defenceless prisoners. This attack is not only an aggression against Iranian territory but also an instance of a war crime.
Prisoners who miraculously survived this barbaric attack are now exposed to serious threats and harm. Prior to this attack, repeated warnings from human rights activists and concerned families about the dangers facing political prisoners were ignored. It was expected that relevant authorities would take necessary preventative measures by utilizing “existing legal tools”, such as granting emergency leave, conditional release, or safe transfer of prisoners. Unfortunately, the inaction and negligence of officials led to a foreseeable catastrophe.
Following this attack and the widespread destruction of various parts of the prison, officials, instead of taking immediate action, irresponsibly rushed to transfer prisoners to facilities like Qarchak Prison and Greater Tehran Prison—prisons that lack minimum health standards and basic facilities, and whose conditions have previously been protested by human rights activists multiple times. The sudden influx of dozens of new prisoners into these centers will make life for all inmates—both political and ordinary—even more arduous and unbearable.
The current conditions imposed on political prisoners constitute a flagrant violation of human rights standards, domestic laws, and fundamental ethical principles. Many of these individuals—who are often imprisoned on fabricated charges merely for expressing their opinions or engaging in peaceful activities—even from behind bars, bravely condemned the Israeli regime’s aggression and honourably stood with the people.
Beyond the serious criticisms levelled against the judicial processes and sentences issued for these prisoners, a fundamental question arises:
- Why are the basic rights of these prisoners ignored, despite existing legal tools like granting emergency leave or conditional release? Can one claim to uphold national security by imposing inhumane conditions on these defenceless prisoners?
According to reports from prisoners’ lawyers and families, many of these individuals were eligible for conditional release even before these incidents occurred, and their continued imprisonment was considered a clear violation of legal principles and statutes, let alone the current critical circumstances. These conditions include:
- Serving more than one-third of their sentence
- Suffering from chronic illnesses requiring urgent treatment
- Acceptance of their request for judicial review by the Supreme Court
- And other explicit cases stipulated by law
The release of these prisoners—or at least granting them emergency leave until humane and legal conditions are provided—is not a threat to national security, but rather a necessary step to preserve it.
The awakened conscience of society is not a neutral observer; it stands against the foreign enemy and will demand accountability for domestic irresponsibility.
It is hoped that in these critical circumstances, the voices of those who care for this land will be heard, and instead of costly and fruitless security approaches, we will see responsible, rational decisions made in the public interest.
The demand is clear:
Amidst the rubble, ruins, and unjustly spilled blood, political prisoners are victimized twice—once by the foreign enemy and once by the indifference of domestic officials.
The lives and health of these prisoners are in serious danger. Release them before another preventable tragedy occurs or at least grant them emergency leave until humane conditions are provided in accordance with legal principles and laws!
Central Executive Council, CODIR
Visit CODIR.net for the latest information on the ongoing situation
Join us at the Unite Policy Conference fringe meeting “No More War on Iran” in Brighton, 5.45 pm, July 10, Friends Meeting House, https://liberationorg.co.uk/get-involved/events/
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