Evin Prison’s Harsh Treatment of Political Prisoners: A Violation of Human Rights

Evin Prison authorities detained 8 political prisoners in cold weather, violating human rights.

Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday, October 2, 2025– On October 1, 2025, Evin Prison authorities subjected 8 political prisoners to inhumane conditions, forcing them to spend a night in a cold open-air courtyard. This cruel act, a response to their peaceful protest, highlights systemic torture and human rights violations in Iran’s prison system. The incident underscores the urgent need for global attention to the plight of political prisoners.

Why Did Political Prisoners Protest?

On October 1, 2025, authorities abruptly transferred two political prisoners, Mehdi Vafaei Sani and Qudrat Kahrizi, from Ward 7 of Evin Prison to solitary confinement under intelligence unit control. Sources suggest the transfer may have led to a detention center in Qom. In response, approximately 30 political prisoners refused to participate in the daily headcount, staging a non-violent protest. However, instead of addressing their concerns, prison officials punished 8 protesters, including Hossein Shahsavari, Hossein Amidi, and Shahin Zoghi Tabar, by forcing them into the cold courtyard without basic facilities.

Mehdi Vafaei Sani: A Family Under Siege

Mehdi Vafaei Sani, born in 1984, serves a six-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and “collusion against national security.” His family faces relentless pressure. For instance, his mother, Shiva Esmaili, endures a 10-year sentence, while a close relative, Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, faces execution in Vakilabad Prison. This systemic targeting reveals the regime’s tactic of familial repression to silence dissent.

Qudrat Kahrizi: A Tragic Story

Qudrat Kahrizi, nearing the end of his sentence, now risks new fabricated charges. His family’s suffering is profound: his brother died at the hands of regime forces for refusing to harm civilians, and his father succumbed to psychological stress. Consequently, authorities arrested Qudrat and his mother, compounding their tragedy.

How Does This Violate Human Rights?

Forcing political prisoners to endure cold weather without shelter constitutes torture and violates international human rights standards. Specifically, this act breaches several key principles:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security. Exposing prisoners to harsh conditions endangers their safety.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5: No one shall face torture or cruel treatment. Detaining prisoners in cold weather is both physically and psychologically torturous.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 9: Arbitrary punishment is prohibited. Punishing prisoners for a peaceful protest is unlawful.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 10: Prisoners deserve humane treatment. Evin’s actions clearly violate this obligation.
Nelson Mandela Rules: Prisoners require adequate shelter and basic needs. Forcing them into an open courtyard defies these standards.

These violations highlight a pattern of systemic cruelty in Evin Prison, targeting political prisoners to suppress dissent.

What Does This Reveal About Iran’s Prison System?

The treatment of political prisoners in Evin Prison exposes the regime’s repressive nature. By subjecting 8 individuals to freezing conditions, authorities demonstrate a disregard for human dignity and international obligations. Furthermore, the cases of Mehdi Vafaei Sani and Qudrat Kahrizi illustrate how the regime extends its repression to entire families, aiming to crush opposition. This incident is not isolated but part of a broader strategy to silence dissenting voices through fear and punishment.

See also the below articles:

Follow Iran Human Rights Society on social networks:
Telegram /Twitter /Instagram / YouTube / Facebook

Join Iran Human Rights Society on Twitter