Inhumane Conditions in Ward 7 of Evin Prison: Widespread Violations of Prisoners’ Rights

Ward 7 of Evin Prison faces inhumane conditions, violating prisoners’ rights with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and torture.

Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday, August 21, 2025** – Inhumane conditions in Ward 7 of Evin Prison reveal a disturbing pattern of systematic human rights violations in Iran. Political prisoners endure relentless torture, unsanitary environments, and restricted communication under the oversight of complicit prison officials. This article exposes the harsh realities, names those responsible, and urges immediate international action to address these grave injustices. The dire situation in Ward 7 demands global scrutiny to halt the ongoing abuses and restore dignity to those unjustly detained.

Failure to Separate Prisoners by Crime

Inhumane conditions in Ward 7 largely arise from the failure to separate prisoners based on their offenses. International standards require segregating political and ideological prisoners from those convicted of general or drug-related crimes. However, Ward 7 mixes these groups, disregarding directives to isolate addicted prisoners. As a result, political prisoners face heightened risks of violence and psychological stress, worsening their already oppressive circumstances. This violation of prison regulations creates a dangerous environment, undermining prisoners’ safety and mental health. The lack of separation fosters chaos, leaving vulnerable inmates exposed to threats and harassment.

Rampant Drug Addiction and Narcotics Influx

Drug addiction runs rampant in Ward 7, fueled by inadequate oversight and corrupt networks within the prison. Narcotics flow freely into this recently established ward, posing severe risks to prisoners’ health and safety. The presence of drugs transforms the ward into a hazardous and unstable environment. Political prisoners who voice concerns about this issue often encounter silence or indifference from authorities. The unchecked spread of narcotics intensifies the inhumane conditions, leaving inmates vulnerable to addiction, violence, and further degradation.

Deplorable Sanitary and Food Conditions

Ward 7 grapples with severe sanitary and infrastructural shortcomings. Broken bathroom door handles and malfunctioning showerheads hinder basic hygiene practices. The medical system fails to deliver essential care, leaving prisoners without access to necessary healthcare services. Food quality has significantly declined, with insufficient supplies of chicken, meat, and fruit to meet nutritional needs. Additionally, limited gas stoves make cooking proper meals a persistent challenge. These conditions erode prisoners’ dignity, leading to widespread physical illnesses and psychological distress.

Restricted Communication and Loss of Belongings

Authorities have severed communication between Ward 7’s sections, sealing all connecting doors. In Section 12, where prisoners accused of espionage are held, outdoor time is confined to a cramped corridor, violating basic prison standards. Furthermore, prisoners cannot access their personal belongings. Many transferred from other wards have demanded their possessions, only to learn that officials claim these items were stolen or destroyed. This deprivation adds to the prisoners’ hardship, intensifying the inhumane conditions they endure.

Suppression of Protests and Repressive Atmosphere

Prisoners in Ward 7, many recently transferred, have protested the inhumane conditions, but authorities respond with harsh suppression. Instead of addressing legitimate grievances, officials threaten inmates and, in some cases, transfer them to solitary confinement. This repressive approach reveals a deliberate policy to silence dissent rather than improve conditions. The atmosphere stifles hope for reform, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and despair. Prisoners face constant intimidation, showing that authorities prioritize control over justice.

Key Prison Officials Overseeing Ward 7

Several officials manage Ward 7, directly contributing to the violations:

• Hedayatollah Farzadi: Head of Evin Prison, overseeing operations.
• Vali Mohammadi: Deputy of Health, responsible for poor medical care.
• Mohammadi: Internal Manager, previously head of security.
• Fathollahpour and Moradi: Security officials enforcing repressive measures.
• Mahmoudi: Head of Ward 7, managing daily operations.

Farzadi’s deputies include:

• Hassan Ghasemi: Involved in prisoner abductions and harsh punishments.
• Shahverdi: Former head of the visitation hall, linked to restrictions.
• Hadi Mohammadi: Former deputy officer, complicit in ward management.
• Haghjou: Previously managed Ward 4 and visitation hall.
• Shadpour: Social services member, formerly head of Ward 8.
• Seyyedi: Key figure in enforcing oppressive measures.

These individuals actively enforce policies that pressure prisoners, indicating an organized effort to violate rights under judicial oversight.

Systematic Human Rights Violations in Ward 7

The inhumane conditions in Ward 7 breach core human rights principles. Constant threats and an unsafe environment undermine prisoners’ security. Physical beatings, unsanitary conditions, and neglected medical care constitute torture. Many political prisoners face arbitrary detention without fair trials, violating due process. The lack of independent legal representation denies justice. Poor food quality, inadequate sanitation, and limited healthcare access violate the right to adequate living standards. These violations reflect a deliberate strategy to suppress and dehumanize prisoners, stripping them of dignity.

Ward 7: A Symbol of Injustice in Iran

Ward 7 of Evin Prison stands as a stark symbol of systematic human rights violations in Iran. Dire sanitary conditions, failure to separate prisoners, rampant drug issues, corruption, and suppressed protests show that the prison aims to break prisoners’ spirits and bodies rather than rehabilitate. The international community, including human rights organizations and the United Nations, must act decisively to address these atrocities. Silence enables the continuation of these injustices. Action is critical to hold Iran’s authorities accountable and protect detainees’ rights.

Explicit Violations of Fundamental Human Rights

Ward 7’s conditions violate several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

• Article 3 (Right to Life, Liberty, and Security): Ongoing threats and violence create an unsafe environment for prisoners.
• Article 5 (Prohibition of Torture): Physical abuse, unsanitary conditions, and medical neglect amount to torture.
• Article 9 (Prohibition of Arbitrary Detention): Many prisoners endure unjust sentences without fair judicial processes.
• Article 10 (Right to a Fair Trial): The absence of independent legal representation denies prisoners justice.
• Article 25 (Right to Adequate Living Standards): Poor food, sanitation, and healthcare fail to meet basic needs.

These violations highlight an organized effort to suppress, humiliate, and destroy prisoners, eroding their dignity and humanity.

See also the below articles:

• Humanitarian Crisis in Qarchak Varamin Prison: Female Political Prisoners Face Inhumane Conditions
• Summoning of Political Prisoner Hamid Sharghi to Prison Despite Critical Health Condition

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