Beatings, Enforced Disappearance, and Prolonged Detention Without Charges: Clear Violations of Human Rights Against Emad Mazraeh, a Civil Activist from Susangerd
Violent Night Raid and Arrest
According to the Iran Human Rights Society, on Wednesday, 7 Khordad 1404 (May 28, 2025), Emad Mazraeh, a 30-year-old civil activist from Susangerd in Khuzestan province, remains in a state of uncertainty in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, nearly four months after his arrest. On Thursday, 20 Dey 1403 (January 9, 2025), agents from the Intelligence Ministry raided Mazraeh’s home in a violent manner, arresting him in front of his family with physical assault.
The Karun Human Rights Organization reports that during the arrest, agents created a highly intimidating atmosphere, thoroughly searched the house, and confiscated the family’s mobile phones and other personal belongings.
Enforced Disappearance and Torture in IRGC Detention
Following his arrest, Emad Mazraeh was held in an unknown location for several weeks, with his family receiving no information about his whereabouts or condition. It was later revealed that he was detained in an IRGC intelligence facility, where he endured interrogation, solitary confinement, and both physical and psychological torture.
This pattern of detention and isolation constitutes a clear case of enforced disappearance, a tactic systematically used by the ruling regime’s security apparatus to intimidate and suppress activists.
Transfer to Sheiban Prison and Ongoing Uncertainty
On 9 Bahman 1403 (January 29, 2025), Mazraeh was transferred to Ahvaz Central Prison (Sheiban Prison). Since then, his family has been denied regular contact or visitation, and no official information has been provided regarding the charges against him or his legal status.
Sheiban Prison is notorious for human rights violations against political and ideological prisoners, with frequent reports of torture, lack of medical care, and inhumane, unsanitary conditions.
Family’s Lack of Information and Growing Concerns
Since his arrest, Mazraeh’s family has been left in complete uncertainty about his physical, mental, and legal status, exacerbating their psychological distress. This situation has effectively deprived Mazraeh of his fundamental legal rights.
Given Sheiban Prison’s horrific track record, concerns about the activist’s health and safety have intensified, underscoring the urgent need for attention from international human rights organizations.
Human Rights Violations in Emad Mazraeh’s Detention and Uncertainty
The detention and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Emad Mazraeh represent clear violations of several key provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
Article 9: This article stipulates that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention, and anyone arrested must be promptly informed of the reasons for their detention and have access to a court to challenge it. Mazraeh’s violent arrest without a judicial warrant, prolonged detention without charges, and lack of access to a lawyer violate this article.
Article 7: This article prohibits all forms of torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Reports of severe beatings during Mazraeh’s arrest, prolonged solitary confinement, and psychological pressure are clear instances of torture, in direct conflict with this provision.
Article 14: This article guarantees the right to a fair trial, including access to an independent lawyer, a competent and public court, and knowledge of the charges. Mazraeh has been denied all these rights, and his family remains uninformed about his legal status.
Article 10: This article mandates that all persons deprived of their liberty be treated with respect for their inherent human dignity. Sheiban Prison, where Mazraeh is held, is a symbol of the violation of this article due to its degrading conditions, lack of medical care, and oppressive security measures.
The case of Emad Mazraeh highlights systemic human rights abuses in Iran, particularly against ethnic minorities like Khuzestani Arabs, who face disproportionate targeting, torture, and judicial unfairness. Immediate international action is needed to address his situation and secure his rights.
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