Sheiban Prison: Political Prisoners Face Life-Threatening Conditions

Habib Deris and Sheiban Prison political prisoners face life-threatening conditions due to overcrowding and violation of offense separation.

Iran Human Rights Society, Monday, August 24, 2025 – On August 25, 2025, Sheiban Prison political prisoners, including Habib Deris, endured a violent clash in Ward 5, leaving several severely injured. Prison authorities deliberately violated the principle of separating inmates by offense type, placing violent offenders alongside political prisoners. This dangerous policy, coupled with severe overcrowding, threatens lives and violates fundamental human rights, including Articles 3, 5, 9, and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Authorities suppressed news of the incident and denied medical care, escalating the crisis. Consequently, political prisoners face daily risks, sparking urgent calls for reform and international intervention.

Violation of Offense Separation Sparks Violence

Prison regulations mandate separating inmates by crime type, age, and judicial status to ensure safety, aligning with Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, Sheiban Prison authorities ignored this, transferring inmates accused of drug trafficking and theft to Ward 5, where political prisoners reside. This triggered a brutal clash, injuring Habib Deris and others. Instead of providing medical care, officials concealed the incident, violating Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which prohibits inhumane treatment. This deliberate neglect endangers political prisoners, exposing them to constant threats and breaching their right to security under Article 3.

Severe Overcrowding Intensifies Crisis

Ward 5, designed for 100 inmates, now holds over 125 political prisoners, violating Article 10’s mandate for humane treatment. Each 20-square-meter room, meant for 12 to 15 people, packs in over 20. Overcrowding breeds tension, health risks, and unsanitary conditions. Limited sanitation facilities and poor ventilation spread diseases unchecked, contravening Article 5’s prohibition on degrading treatment. Political prisoners endure psychological strain, stripped of dignity and safety. The lack of clean water, proper bedding, and adequate space creates inhumane conditions, demanding urgent action to restore humane standards and protect prisoners’ rights.

Habib Deris’s Life in Peril

Habib Deris, imprisoned for years on political charges, faces heightened dangers. Already under a death sentence, he suffered severe injuries in the clash. Authorities failed to protect him, violating Article 3’s right to life and security. By housing violent offenders in his ward, they endangered him further, breaching Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which ensures liberty and security. Deris’s family reports officials denied him medical care, leaving him vulnerable. His case highlights the urgent need to safeguard political prisoners from both external violence and systemic neglect within Sheiban Prison.

Protests Ignored by Authorities

Political prisoners repeatedly protested the violation of offense separation, demanding safer conditions. Their families lodged complaints with judicial authorities, urging compliance with regulations and human rights standards. Yet, officials ignored these pleas, continuing dangerous practices. This disregard violates Article 10, which requires humane treatment of detainees. Some believe this reflects a deliberate strategy to oppress political prisoners, using violence and overcrowding as tools. The lack of response underscores the need for external pressure to enforce safety and uphold prisoners’ rights under international law.

Notorious Conditions

Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz has long been infamous for brutal conditions. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and harsh guard treatment define the facility, violating Article 5’s ban on inhumane treatment. The transfer of violent offenders to the political prisoners’ ward worsened the crisis. Medical facilities are nearly nonexistent, leaving injured prisoners like Deris without care. Guards frequently mistreat inmates, adding psychological strain. These conditions breach Article 10 and create a humanitarian crisis, threatening dozens of lives daily. Sheiban’s reputation as a center of repression demands systemic change to protect prisoners.

Urgent Calls for Reform and Accountability

The Ward 5 clash demands immediate action. Authorities must reinstate offense separation to protect political prisoners, aligning with Article 10. Overcrowding requires urgent resolution through better management and facility expansion. Denying medical care violates Article 5 and must stop. The international community must pressure Sheiban Prison to uphold human rights, including Articles 3, 5, 9, and 10. Advocates demand investigations into the clash and accountability for officials. Without swift intervention, Habib Deris and other political prisoners face ongoing risks to their lives and dignity.

Human Rights Violations in Sheiban Prison

The conditions in Sheiban Prison violate core human rights:

• Article 3 (Universal Declaration of Human Rights): Mixing violent offenders with political prisoners endangers lives and security.
• Article 5 (Universal Declaration of Human Rights): Overcrowding and denial of medical care constitute inhumane treatment.
• Article 9 (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights): Unsafe conditions deprive prisoners of liberty and security.
• Article 10 (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights): Overcrowding and cohabitation with violent offenders violate humane treatment standards.
  These violations highlight the urgent need for reform to protect Sheiban Prison political prisoners.

Why the Crisis Matters

Sheiban Prison’s conditions reflect systemic repression. Mixing violent offenders with political prisoners creates a dangerous environment, breaching Article 3. Overcrowding and neglect strip prisoners of dignity, violating Article 5. Habib Deris’s case exemplifies the human cost of these policies. His injuries and ongoing threats underscore the need for change. The international community must advocate for Sheiban Prison political prisoners, pushing for safer conditions and accountability. Awareness and action can end this cycle of violence and neglect, ensuring prisoners’ rights are upheld.

The plight of Sheiban Prison political prisoners demands global attention. Habib Deris and others face daily threats due to systemic failures. Overcrowding, violence, and disregard for offense separation create a crisis. By amplifying these voices, the global community can push for safer conditions and an end to repressive policies.

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