Human rights organizations are calling on the UNHRC to demand the release of Narges Mohammadi, an imprisoned Iranian activist suffering from severe health issues. They seek a medical furlough for her urgent healthcare needs, highlighting systematic neglect and demanding her unconditional release as she should not be in prison.
In a desperate call to action, a coalition of over 40 human rights organizations has contacted the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), advocating for the immediate medical release of Narges Mohammadi, an imprisoned Iranian human rights activist. This appeal emphasizes the dire need for Mohammadi’s medical furlough due to her deteriorating health, worsened by years in solitary confinement. They argue her imprisonment on charges of ‘propaganda’ and ‘collusion’ is unjust, demanding her urgent care and ultimate release.
The letter, sent ahead of Iran’s Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, highlights Mohammadi’s critical health situation, which has seen her suffer heart attacks and undergo surgery after a potentially cancerous leg lesion was identified. Her family’s concerns regarding her treatment in Tehran’s infamous Evin Prison resonate throughout the letter, indicating a systematic neglect of the health needs of political prisoners. The coalition underscores that Mohammadi’s health can’t be restored through half-hearted medical visits, asserting her right to medical treatment without the barriers of incarceration.
Background: Narges Mohammadi, a prominent figure in Iran’s fight for human rights, has dedicated her life to advocating for the oppressed. Imprisoned since 2021 for her activism, she has already faced more than a decade of imprisonment, a punishment many consider an affront to basic human rights. The letters from advocates come in response to not just her suffering but the broader issue of political repression in Iran, where dissent is met with brutal crackdowns. By appealing to the UN, these organizations aim to shine a light on the plight of Mohammadi and others who suffer in silence behind the prison walls.
Quotes: “Years of imprisonment and months of solitary confinement have severely compromised Mohammadi’s health…” – Free Narges Coalition.
The UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights previously voiced its concerns regarding the treatment of detainees like Mohammadi, urging for their immediate release amidst widespread reports of ill-treatment.
Conclusion: Narges Mohammadi’s health crisis encapsulates the broader human rights abuses prevalent in Iran, where state actions against activists starkly depict a lack of regard for basic human dignity. The coalition’s call to the UNHRC is not just for Mohammadi, but for a decisive shift in how political prisoners are treated in Iran. As Mohammadi’s health deteriorates, the urgency for her release becomes ever more pressing, revealing a crucial intersection of health and human rights in the heart of activism.
Narges Mohammadi stands as a beacon of human rights advocacy in Iran, widely recognized for her relentless pursuit of justice. She has faced significant state oppression for her work with the Defenders of Human Rights Centre, embodying the struggles faced by many activists in a country where dissent is often met with fierce resistance. Her deteriorating health in prison symbolizes the plight of countless political prisoners who endure similar fates, prompting calls for international intervention to safeguard their rights and well-being. The human rights groups are rallying not just for Mohammadi’s release but to influence a broader awakening regarding human rights violations in Iran, especially ahead of the UNHRC’s scrutiny.
The plight of Narges Mohammadi highlights urgent issues surrounding human rights within Iran, emphasizing the significant intersectionality between health and activism. The distressing conditions endured by Mohammadi and others imprisoned for their beliefs spur collective action from international advocates. As pressure mounts on Iranian authorities, the hope for her release not only serves justice for Mohammadi but also reinforces global solidarity in the fight for human rights.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
