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Withdrawing medicines and treatment from the needy

The Iranian prisons have never promised any kind of humane treatment. Not only the lack of light and hygiene threaten the health conditions of prisoners of conscience, but it is fairly easy to develop infections and severe diseases there. Moreover, the prospects of getting adequate medications and accessing specialised medical care are drastically low. The authorities frequently transfer prisoners in need of medical care to hospital, but they are very often not provided actual treatment, instead are simply returned to prison.

There are two recent and significant cases I’d like to draw your attention to. 

The first, I’d like to mention to you is the case of Narges Mohammadi, that already know quite well. But in the meantime, her health conditions have been further worsened. Our latest information about her: Narges was taken to hospital on 1 August. On that day, she was  suffering from partial paralysis. Although doctors at the hospital advised her to be examined by a specialist the guards took her back to prison, without receiving specialised care.

(Source: www.iranhumanrights.org)
Narges has been suffering from different diseases received while in prison for a long time. She has previously been diagnosed by doctors to be too weak and ill to be in jail. However, she has been denied specialised medical treatment she would need.
The authorities must release her immediately and grant her access to medical care. You can find read her personal letter from jail here.

Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki is the second person I’d like to mention to you. Hossein has only one functioning kidney and needs constant specialised medical care that he can’t get in prison.  He was recently allowed out of the prison, on medical leave, to receive urgent medical treatment, but was called back again, a few weeks ago.

The above stories of prominent prisoners of conscience show that Iran systematically fails to meet its international obligations. International law state parties to implement Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. These foresee that every prison has to dispose of at least one qualified medical officer who should have some knowledge of psychiatry. Furthermore, sick detainees who require specialist treatment shall be transferred to specialised institutions or to hospitals and receive required treatment.

>>TAKE ACTION!
You can read more and take action for Narges Mohammadi here.
If you want to learn more and do something for Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki, please click here.
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