SUPPORT FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS ON HUNGER STRIKE IN IRAN

By Zohair Ahmad

On July 30 this year, the authorities in Gohardasht prison conducted a savage attack on the political prisoners in hall 12 of ward 4. The guards insulted and beat the prisoners and forcefully transferred them to the hall 10 in the same ward. The prison authorities have   deprived the prisoners of minimum hygiene facilities and decent clothing. The prisoners have also been deprived of all family visits and have been placed under pressure to end their hunger strike.

Since the news came out, the prisoners on hunger strike have gained massive support not only around the world but also from fellow political prisoners in various prisons across Iran.

On August 15, 2017, Mr. Gerard Deprez, MEP and Chair of the friends of free Iran Committee in the European Parliament, issued a statement from Brussels expressing concern about the health and safety of political prisoners in solitary confinement of Ward 4 in Gohardasht prison in Karaj, west of Tehran. The prisoners have been on hunger strike to protest the regime’s ruthless attack on them on 30, July.

The statement also mentioned the recent report, published by Amnesty International on human rights violations under the «moderate» Rouhani Presidency. the statement concludes with an urge to the President of the European Parliament, the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran to publicly condemn the continuous mistreatment of political prisoners in Iran and to call on for their release.  

A group of exiled prisoners in Ardebil prison expressed their unconditional support to the prisoners on hunger strike and added that they would stage a hunger strike in support of them if their demands are not met.

Also the political prisoner Ali Moezi expressed his support from Tehran’s Central prison. In his letter, he recalled his memories from Gohardasht prison, memories of the martyrs of the 1980's, particularly the martyrs of the 1988 massacre in Iran.

The lack of options for the prisoners to protest inhuman treatment has resulted in a number of hunger strikes, as the only way the prisoners can show their discontent with the prison authorities’ deeds.

Political prisoners all over Iran needs our unconditional support, not only those that languish in Gohardasht prison. It is our duty to urge our leaders to put pressure on the Iranian regime to make them respect and uphold human rights. It is our duty to be the voice of those unable to speak for themselves.

As long as there are political prisoners or prisoners of conscience in Iran, the Iranian resistance will fight for their rights and their release.We never forget and never give up until the last unjust detainee is released and free.