Harsh conditions have been imposed on prisoners, particularly political prisoners, in prisons across Kurdistan since the beginning of the war between the US–Israeli coalition and Iran, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) said. Reports from several prisons indicate increased security measures and restrictions on prisoners’ basic rights.
Following the bombing of law enforcement centres in several cities, Special Forces units have been stationed in the main courtyards of some prisons, creating what sources describe as a heavily securitised environment.
Several family members of Kurdish political prisoners in Orumiyeh who spoke to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network said: “Since the beginning of the war, all in-person and cabin visits for prisoners at Orumiyeh Central Prison have been banned. Political prisoners and prisoners of conscience held in isolation in the Ershad security ward have also been deprived of many of their rights, and even the transfer of sick prisoners to the prison infirmary has been prevented.”
Family members of ill political prisoners held in the prison also reported a deterioration in their relatives’ health during this period.
Two relatives said: “The physical condition of sick prisoners has worsened over these 13 days. These prisoners suffer from various illnesses, including heart problems, kidney conditions and other diseases, but prison authorities refuse to transfer them to the prison infirmary or to medical centres outside the prison. Prisoners who require medication have also been deprived of access to their medicines due to the suspension of visits and the closure of the prison infirmary.”
Families of political prisoners in Orumiyeh, Mahabad, Miandoab, Saqqez, Sanandaj, Kermanshah and Ilam said that during the same period hundreds of prisoners convicted of ordinary offences had been granted 15-day leave on bail or surety, or temporarily released due to wartime conditions.
However, the supervising judges in these prisons have stated that political prisoners, as well as some prisoners convicted of serious offences such as armed robbery and similar crimes, are excluded from these measures.
Information from several prisons also indicates shortages in prisoners’ food rations and disruptions to the operation of prison shops. According to informed sources, prison shops open once every three days and only for a few minutes, while the prices of goods sold to prisoners have increased severalfold.
Food rations provided by the prisons have also been reduced. Prisoners who lack financial means and are unable to purchase items from the shops are therefore facing food shortages and, in some cases, hunger.
Family members of several prisoners recently transferred from Mahabad Prison to Miandoab Prison also reported that more than 150 prisoners were moved after protesting against their continued detention during wartime conditions.
According to these families, the transferred prisoners are being held in two quarantine rooms in harsh conditions without access to basic facilities.
Meanwhile, information obtained by KHRN indicates that following the bombing of law enforcement centres in Orumiyeh, hundreds of Special Forces personnel have been deployed around Orumiyeh Central Prison and are moved at night into the inner area of the prison’s main courtyard.
Cover Photo: KHRN
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