Neda Badakhsh, a 62-year-old Baha’i prisoner held in Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan, continues to be denied access to specialized medical care and medical furlough to outside healthcare facilities despite suffering from multiple chronic illnesses—a situation that has raised severe concerns regarding her physical condition.
Iran Human Rights Society, Tuesday, July 28, 2026 – Neda Badakhsh, a 62-year-old Baha’i citizen serving her sentence in Dowlatabad Prison, Isfahan, remains deprived of specialized medical services and necessary medications despite suffering from medical conditions including diabetes, osteoarthritis, sciatica, and joint inflammation. Incoming reports indicate that this prisoner’s physical health has deteriorated significantly in recent months.
According to published information, a medical specialist has declared continuous examination and periodic treatment essential for Neda Badakhsh; however, prison officials have thus far refused to transfer her to medical centers outside the prison. The continuation of this situation has heightened anxiety among her family and human rights activists regarding the physical consequences of delayed treatment.
Opposition to Medical Furlough and Conditional Release for Neda Badakhsh
Reports indicate that requests submitted by Neda Badakhsh and her family for medical leave, conditional release, or serving the remainder of her sentence with an electronic ankle monitor have all been met with opposition from responsible authorities.
This comes at a time when the prisoner’s chronic conditions require specialized care and continuous medical follow-up. Her continued incarceration without access to proper medical facilities poses a severe disruption to her treatment process.
Human rights activists have repeatedly stressed that depriving sick prisoners of adequate medical care places their health and lives at risk and violates established standards of prisoner rights.
Sustained Pressure on Followers of the Baha’i Faith and Other Religions
Neda Badakhsh’s case unfolds against a backdrop in which Baha’is, alongside members of other religious communities and belief systems in Iran, have faced repeated arrests, convictions, deprivation of civil rights, and restrictions on access to public services over past years.
In their reports, human rights organizations have repeatedly declared that security and judicial crackdowns on citizens based on their religious beliefs constitute deeply concerning violations of freedom of religion and belief in Iran. According to these organizations, many Baha’i adherents face systemic barriers in employment, education, social engagement, and access to basic rights in addition to serving prison sentences.
In this context, Neda Badakhsh’s condition serves as an example of broader concerns regarding sick prisoners’ access to medical care and the observance of their rights while serving sentences.
Legal Review of the Case Based on Domestic Laws
The judicial framework governing Iran in recent years has drawn repeated criticism from legal scholars and human rights organizations over non-compliance with fair trial standards, ambiguous security proceedings, and the extensive application of judicial restrictions against citizens.
Legal Ambiguities
According to published information, Neda Badakhsh continues to be denied transfer to medical facilities outside the prison despite chronic illnesses and a verified need for specialized care. Furthermore, her applications for medical leave, conditional release, and electronic monitoring have been rejected.
Under Article 502 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, whenever serving a prison sentence exacerbates a physical or mental illness or delays a convict’s recovery to the point where enduring punishment is impossible, the sentence enforcement judge is required—upon obtaining an opinion from the Forensic Medicine Organization—to suspend the execution of the sentence until the impediment is resolved.
Relevant Legal Provisions
- Article 22 of the Constitution: Emphasizes the inviolability of an individual’s life and rights.
- Article 29 of the Constitution: Recognizes access to healthcare services as a universal right.
- Article 502 of the Code of Criminal Procedure: Provides for the suspension of sentence execution in cases of illness and inability to endure punishment.
- Executive Regulations of the Prisons Organization: Obligates prison management to provide prisoners with adequate healthcare services.
Potential Violations of Law
Based on available reports, key legal concerns in this case include:
- Depriving Neda Badakhsh of specialized medical treatment despite medical confirmation;
- Rejection of transfers to medical centers outside the prison;
- Rejection of requests for medical furlough and assessment of inability to endure punishment;
- Disregard for the requirements stipulated under Article 502 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Human Rights Violations Regarding Neda Badakhsh
The case of Neda Badakhsh also presents grave human rights concerns. Depriving a sick prisoner of proper medical services imperils her health and life, standing in opposition to international obligations governing prisoner rights.
Furthermore, numerous reports from human rights bodies indicate that followers of the Baha’i faith and other religious groups in Iran have faced widespread restrictions, detentions, prosecutions, and rights deprivations over recent years. These organizations emphasize that freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right, and no individual should face discrimination or judicial and security pressure on account of their faith.
Relevant International Standards
- Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The right to life, liberty, and security of person.
- Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
- Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Guarantees freedom of religion and belief.
- Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Mandates humane and respectful treatment for all persons deprived of liberty.
- UN Nelson Mandela Rules: Guarantees prisoners the right to healthcare services equivalent to those available in the wider community, provided without discrimination.
See also the below articles:
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