In a harrowing revelation, at least four prisoners have tragically lost their lives in Iranian prisons in the early months of 2025, stemming from the extreme negligence displayed by prison authorities in providing essential medical care. This alarming trend, highlighted by the Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), is not merely an anomaly but a calculated strategy employed by the Iranian regime against political prisoners and ethnic minorities, leading to increased prison fatalities.
Among those deceased are Anwar Chaleshi, Hassan Damani, Bahram Darvishi, and Farzaneh Bijanipour, whose deaths cast a grim shadow over the actual number of lives lost due to overlooked medical needs. Prison officials often manipulate official records of death to obscure the truth, effectively silencing families who suspect foul play. CHRI’s executive director, Hadi Ghaemi, asserts that these tragedies reflect a systematic policy aimed at punitive neglect towards political prisoners.
The systematic denial of medical assistance, especially to those labelled as political dissidents, has grotesquely become a norm in Iran. CHRI reports on numerous prisoners denied necessary treatments, a violation starkly condemned by international human rights monitors. Medical neglect towards prisoners, particularly in the case of esteemed political figures and members of minority communities, must be consistently condemned by global powers, including the UN.
One poignant case is that of Anwar Chaleshi, a Kurdish political prisoner who succumbed to complications from untreated colon cancer, exacerbated by years of medical neglect and bureaucratic resistance to his urgent medical needs. After being unjustly imprisoned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), his cries for medical attention went unheeded until it was far too late. Like many others, he was shackled even during his treatment, illustrating the cruel indifference of the Iranian authorities.
The deliberate denial of medical care for prisoners is entrenched in Iran’s judicial practices, effectively leading to arbitrary killings. The international community and rights organisations are urged to apply sustained pressure on Iran to halt this inhumane practice and furnish adequate medical care to prisoners, as mandated by both national law and global human rights accords. Iran’s own regulations provide for the right to medical attention, yet these appear to be routinely violated, particularly against those who challenge the regime’s authority.
Iranian authorities are reportedly condemning prisoners to death by denying them critical medical care, leading to at least four deaths in just the first two months of 2025. Notable cases such as Anwar Chaleshi highlight systemic medical neglect, especially towards political prisoners. The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) calls for international intervention to hold officials accountable for these abuses and to ensure medical assistance is provided as mandated by law.
The egregious practice of denying medical care to prisoners in Iran not only leads to preventable deaths but illustrates a larger, systematic issue of human rights abuses within the prison system. With a stark call to action, international pressure is essential to urge Iranian authorities to respect their legal obligations and end this cycle of neglect. Each life lost due to this inhumane practice is a stark reminder of the cruelty embedded within the Iranian penal system and calls for a united global stand against such violations.
Original Source: iranhumanrights.org
