Reports from Babol indicate that a number of prisoners with public crimes, against their will and desire, are transferred at nights with shackles from prison to the streets to attend governmental gatherings; an action that human rights institutions consider it an example of propagandistic misuse of prisoners and violation of human rights.
Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday May 9 2026 – Based on reports received from the city of Babol, forces affiliated with the ruling power every night take groups of prisoners with public crimes out of prison with shackles and transfer them to the city level for presence in street gatherings. According to local sources, these prisoners are given flags to create propagandistic images, so that it is induced that the streets are full of government supporters. These prisoners are returned to prison again after the end of the gatherings.
Transferring Prisoners to Streets for Governmental Display
Informed sources in Babol say this action is carried out in a nighttime and organized manner and prisoners are transferred to the streets under the supervision of security and law enforcement forces. According to these reports, many of these prisoners have no desire to attend these gatherings and their participation is not out of free choice, but as a result of pressure and coercion.
According to local sources, the purpose of this action is to create an artificial atmosphere of popular presence and support in the streets; while the government is trying to prevent the formation of popular protests by displaying streets filled with affiliated forces and individuals under control.
Local witnesses say prisoners are placed among the gatherings while having shackles on their feet and flags and governmental symbols are seen in their hands. This is while after the end of the programs, these individuals are returned to prison again.
Government’s Effort to Control Street Spaces
In recent months, coinciding with the increase in social discontent and economic crises, the ruling power has tried to keep the public space under control by the extensive presence of security forces, Basij and affiliated groups in the streets.
Analysts believe that using prisoners to fill the streets is indicative of the government’s concern about the possibility of the restart of popular protests. In the opinion of observers, the rulers of the government want to prevent the formation of protest gatherings and the independent presence of citizens by keeping affiliated forces and their mercenaries in the streets.
This action is also evaluated as an effort to produce propagandistic images and publish them in governmental media and social networks; images whose purpose is to display an apparent popular support, while part of the individuals present in these gatherings are prisoners who have been brought to the streets under pressure.
Pressure on Prisoners and Misuse of Their Situation
Human rights activists say prisoners, due to their special conditions, are in a position where they do not have the ability to freely oppose such requests. Many of them are worried about the possible consequences of opposition, including more pressure, prison restrictions or punitive treatments.
According to observers, using prisoners for propagandistic purposes is a kind of exploitation of the vulnerable situation of individuals deprived of freedom. Prisoners who are under the complete control of governmental institutions, practically do not have the possibility of free choice for participation or non-participation in these programs.
Also, the presence of prisoners with shackles in the streets, in addition to the propagandistic aspect, can be considered a kind of humiliation and psychological pressure against them; an action that violates the human dignity of prisoners.
Violation of Human Rights; Compulsory and Propagandistic Use of Prisoners in Governmental Gatherings
Transferring prisoners with public crimes to the streets of Babol for presence in governmental gatherings, especially with shackles and against their will and desire, has aroused serious human rights concerns. Human rights activists say propagandistic use of prisoners and forcing them to attend governmental programs is an example of misuse of individuals under detention and violation of human dignity. Also, employing prisoners to create artificial gatherings in the streets is evaluated as indicative of pressure on prisoners and political exploitation of their vulnerable conditions.
Violated Articles:
- Violation of prisoners’ human dignity – Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The instrumental and propagandistic use of prisoners in governmental gatherings violates the principle of human dignity.
- Violation of the prohibition of humiliating treatment – Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Transferring prisoners with shackles to the streets and their display use can be an example of degrading treatment.
- Violation of the right to personal freedom and security – Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Exerting pressure on prisoners to attend governmental gatherings and political exploitation of their situation violates the fundamental rights of individuals under detention.
- Violation of principles of humane treatment of prisoners – Nelson Mandela Rules: Based on international standards of treatment of prisoners, imprisoned individuals must be protected from any pressure, abuse and political exploitation. Using prisoners for governmental propagandistic purposes is contrary to these principles.
- Violation of the right to freedom of choice and political coercion – Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Forcing prisoners to attend governmental gatherings and displaying political support violates freedom of opinion and the right to free choice of individuals.
See also the below articles:
- Evin Prison Extends Visiting Ban for Women Political Prisoners
- Zeinab Mousavi and Her Brother Face Muharebeh Charge in Vakilabad Prison
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