Alarming Case of Masoud Jamei: A Stark Example of Systematic Human Rights Violations in Iran
Introduction
The case of Masoud Jamei, a 48-year-old political prisoner held in Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz, has once again drawn attention from the public and international human rights organizations. This report aims to document various dimensions of his case, highlight severe violations of basic human rights, and call for urgent international action to address the treatment of Jamei and others implicated in the same case.
A Heavy Case with No Clear Judicial Path
Masoud Jamei, alongside Alireza Mordasi, Farshad Etemadi-Far, Saman Hormat-Nejad, and Davood Hormat-Nejad, is facing severe charges including “corruption on earth,” “enmity against God,” “membership in opposition groups,” and “conspiracy against national security.” Despite being in detention for over 16 months, no official court hearings held in the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court for any of the accused. The lack of formal indictment, access to legal counsel, and prolonged detention without trial represent fundamental violations of the right to due process.
Arrest, Torture, and Disappearance
Masoud Jamei arrested on August 1, 2023, by security forces in Ahvaz. Reports indicate he was subjected to torture and severe pressure during interrogation. And also was denied access to a lawyer. On Thursday, May 9, 2025, after protesting his lack of contact with family and holding protest placards, he was removed from his ward in Sheyban Prison and transferred to an unknown location. Since then, there has been no information about his physical condition or whereabouts.
Deteriorating Health and Medical Neglect
Jamei suffers from multiple serious health conditions including stomach cancer, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and severe internal infections. Despite the worsening of his condition, prison authorities have refused to transfer him to specialized medical facilities. This blatant medical neglect constitutes a violation of Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which mandates humane treatment of prisoners.
Family-Wide Repression: A Pattern of Collective Punishment
In a concerning escalation, Jamei’s wife and three children have also been prosecuted by the Revolutionary Court of Bavi County for alleged connections to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). This form of collective punishment, in which an entire family subjected to judicial proceedings, highlights a broader systematic approach to political repression that disregards individual rights and fair trial standards.
Broad Human Rights Violations and Denial of Fair Trial
The case of Masoud Jamei and his co-defendants illustrates systematic violations of fundamental human rights within Iran’s judiciary. Arbitrary detention without a clear judicial warrant, denial of legal representation, torture during interrogation, medical neglect, and indefinite detention—all point to serious breaches of Iran’s international obligations.
According to Article 14 of the ICCPR, every individual entitled to a fair, prompt, and public trial with full rights to defense. In Jamei’s case, all of these rights grossly violated.
Conclusion and Urgent Appeal
Given Masoud Jamei’s critical health condition, the alarming conditions of his detention in Sheyban Prison, and ongoing violations of his basic rights, we urge all human rights organizations, the United Nations, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, and the international community to:
• Demand the immediate and unconditional release of Masoud Jamei and his co-defendants.
• Ensure his urgent transfer to specialized medical facilities.
• Establish a fact-finding mission to investigate the conditions at Sheyban Prison.
• Halt the judicial persecution of Jamei’s family members solely due to familial ties.
The collective conscience and moral responsibility of the international community require that we do not remain silent in the face of such blatant violations of human dignity and justice.
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