In addition to Qazal Hesar Prison, reports indicate that some of the detained protesters have also been transferred to Evin Prison and Tehran Greater Prison.
Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday, January 22, 2026 – Concurrent with the suppression of nationwide protests, hundreds of detained protesters have been transferred to Qazal Hesar Prison; an action that has raised serious concerns about their fate and the potential for widespread violations of their rights. According to received information, security forces are holding the detainees in the Unit 2 quarantine of Qazal Hesar Prison; an isolated location deliberately separated from other prisoners to prevent any independent contact, observation, or reporting about their situation.
Informed sources emphasize that this quarantine has effectively turned into a hidden detention facility within the prison; a place where protesters are held without official registration of names and without access to even the minimum legal rights. Human rights observers describe this practice as a clear sign of security institutions’ efforts to have a free hand in extrajudicial actions and even the potential elimination of detainees.
Unit 2 Quarantine of Qazal Hesar; Inhuman Overcrowding and Floor-Sleeping in Winter Cold
Authorities hold many detainees in Unit 2 quarantine at Qazal Hesar Prison. This section stays isolated from other prisoners. Officials prevent contact, observation, and reporting. Sources describe it as a hidden detention facility. Detainees lack official name registration. They miss basic legal protections. Human rights groups see this as preparation for unchecked actions. Risks include elimination and forced confessions. The setup blocks family visits and lawyer access. Detainees vanish from official records. This pattern repeats past suppression tactics. Enforced disappearance becomes a real threat.
Transfer of Protesters to Evin and Tehran Greater Prison Alongside Qazal Hesar
In addition to Qazal Hesar Prison, reports indicate that some of the detained protesters have also been transferred to Evin Prison and Tehran Greater Prison. However, the main focus of transfers in recent days has been on Qazal Hesar Prison; a facility traditionally used for holding those convicted of serious crimes.
Human rights observers believe that transferring protesters to such a prison is itself an indication of a policy of intimidation and collective punishment. This action, especially when many detainees have not yet been formally charged, constitutes a clear violation of fair trial principles.
Failure to Register Detainees’ Names; A Hidden Path to Enforced Disappearance
One of the most alarming aspects of these reports is the failure to register the names of detainees in official prison and detention center systems. Informed sources have stated that the identity information of many protesters has deliberately not been entered into the judicial system, eliminating the possibility of legal follow-up, family contact, and even knowledge of their place of detention.
According to observers, this practice follows exactly the same pattern observed in previous suppressions; a pattern in which detainees are placed in a state of “enforced disappearance” for days or weeks, with no institution officially taking responsibility for their detention.
This situation severely increases the risk of eliminating detainees, imposing forced confessions, and applying physical and psychological torture.
Widespread Arrests Concurrent with Intensified Protest Suppression
The transfer of hundreds of protesters to Qazal Hesar is taking place while the wave of arrests across the country continues. Reports indicate that tens of thousands have been detained during the recent protests, and the capacity of detention centers and prisons is severely overwhelmed.
Human rights organizations emphasize that the regime, through mass arbitrary arrests, is attempting to strangle protests in their infancy and prevent people from returning to the streets by creating an atmosphere of terror. Nevertheless, field evidence shows that despite the bloody suppression and widespread arrests, protests continue in various forms.
Families’ Concerns; Complete Lack of Information About Loved Ones’ Fate
Families of detainees are in a situation where they have no information about the location of detention, physical condition, or legal status of their loved ones. Many families, after visiting prisons and prosecutor’s offices, have faced vague responses or complete silence from officials.
According to sources close to the families, this complete lack of information has imposed severe psychological pressure on relatives of detainees, and fears of repeating bitter past scenarios—including death in custody or permanent disappearance—have intensified dramatically.
Systematic Violation of Protester Prisoners’ Rights in Qazal Hesar
The transfer of protesters to a hidden quarantine, failure to register names, detention in inhuman conditions, and deprivation of basic rights all indicate systematic human rights violations. These actions not only violate domestic laws but are also contrary to international commitments regarding the rights of prisoners and detainees.
- Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – Prohibition of Arbitrary Detention Detention without official registration and without access to a judicial authority constitutes arbitrary detention.
- Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – Humane Treatment of Prisoners Detention in inhuman and degrading conditions violates the principle of humane treatment for persons deprived of liberty.
- Convention against Torture – Prohibition of Torture and Inhuman Treatment Floor-sleeping in cold and deprivation of medical care constitute inhuman and degrading treatment.
- International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Failure to register names and lack of information for families constitute enforced disappearance.
See also the below articles:
- Let the world know what happened in Iran! Shocking videos – field accounts of the suppression of nationwide protests in 2026
- Execution for Refusing to Shoot During Protests
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